Standouts: Hillsborough vs. Pinellas All-Star Game
One last time, the top seniors from Hillsborough County and Pinellas County donned a high school uniform.
Pinellas County came away with the scrappy 113-110 victory in front of a nice sized crowd at Hillsborough Community College. Hillsborough County led 51-50 at the break.
During halftime, Largo’s Amant Deliu was crowned the 3-point champion by edging out Tampa Prep’s Christian Schach. In the dunk contest, a pair of Hillsborough County players Tristan Evans (Plant City) and Isaiah Thomas (Brooks DeBartolo) were the finalists. Evans was crowned the dunk champion.
Fans and family came out to support including recently announced NBA draftee Kevin Knox, who just completed his freshman season at Kentucky and starred at Tampa Catholic previously. Also, USC commit Elijah Weaver, a senior at Rockledge and former standout at Oldsmar Christian was in the stands.
Here is a look at the top standouts from the game.
Serrel Smith (St. Pete)
A leader and playmaker by nature, Smith recorded a game-high 26 points with 15 coming in the first half. The St. Pete senior was crowned MVP for the Pinellas group. He heads to Maryland for a visit on Saturday and will announce his Top 3 early next week.
Tim Carter (Tampa Catholic)
There was a fun sequence late in the first half when Carter drilled back to back jumpers. Smith went down the floor to drop one in his face. The two went back and forth for a few more possessions and the crowd loved it. Carter was named MVP for the Hillsborough side with 15 points.
Amant Deliu (Largo)
The 3-point champion, Deliu did his usual damage beyond the arc, totaling 18 points including 16 in the second half alone.
Isaiah Thomas (Brooks DeBartolo)
Compiling a 12-point effort, Thomas is always electric on his slams and drives inside. It was no different tonight for the Brooks DeBartolo senior guard. Take a look at this putback dunk below.
Putback life tonight is a MUST ???? @_k1ngzay_ @JakePerper pic.twitter.com/AEQXDNYile
— Overtime (@overtime) April 7, 2018
Tristan Evans (Plant City)
Battling on both ends of the floor, Evans had the block of the night when he swatted away a dunk attempt from Jarroda Briscoe (Boca Ciega). Evans finished with 12 points for Hillsborough.
The swat of the first half provided by Tristan Evans @PlantCityHoops pic.twitter.com/czy8G0FcDV
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) April 7, 2018
Other key performers:
Tai Strickland (St. Pete)
Headed to Wisconsin in the fall, Strickland made the Tampa crowd happy one last time with a pair of dunks and some sweet takes to the rim.
Thierry Moliere (Jesuit)
Moliere performed well for a balanced Hillsborough attack. He handled the rock well and made some key shots in both halves.
David Pierce (Gibbs)
Prior to exiting with an ankle injury late, Pierce was playing sound basketball. He is headed to Coastal Carolina in the fall and should do big things right away.
Matthew Berry (Countryside)
Long and built like a football player, Berry was hitting from outside and finding his way inside often as well.
Note: Berry committed to Florida Gateway College earlier this week.
Christian Schach (Tampa Prep)
Schach found his rhythm from deep and it certainly went a long way for Hillsborough in the close game.
Isaiah Islam (Newsome)
Tough and athletic, Islam had a nice all-around game for the Hillsborough side.
Bryce Workman (Sickles)
Committed to Jacksonville earlier on Friday, Workman turned in a fine game, doing most of his damage on the boards and from 3-point land.
Tyrick Brascom (Tampa Bay Tech)
The speedy and undersized guard always gives a full effort and it was no different tonight.