Top Performances: Day 1 of the state tournament (1A-3A) – Part 1

<p>The FHSAA state tournament began on Monday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.</p> <p>Results and the top performers are listed below.</p> <p><em><strong>Results</strong></em></p> <p><strong>1A semifinals</strong></p> <p>Madison County 63, Paxton 51</p> <p>Wildwood 76, Franklin County 62</p> <p><strong>2A semifinals</strong></p> <p>Central Florida Christian 59, Crossroad 44</p> <p>North Florida Educational 62, Schoolhouse Prep 48</p> <p><strong>3A semifinals</strong></p> <p>St. John Paul 55, First Baptist 37</p> <p>Orlando Christian Prep 67, Jupiter Christian 61</p> <h2><strong>Marcus Niblack (Wildwood)</strong></h2> <p>2020 guard Marcus Niblack had a strong outing in a state semifinal win over Franklin County. He scored 12 points in the first quarter alone to finish with a team-best 33 points overall. Niblack was knocking down 3's and driving with ease, quite frankly playing on another level. 2021 starters Nate Mikell (17 points) and Alfred Corbin (16 points) were steady contributors.</p> <h2><strong>Simon Brathwaite (Franklin County)</strong></h2> <p>As the game moved on so did Simon Brathwaite's confidence. He is the definition of a slasher and a good one at that. The 2020 Franklin County forward recorded 25 points on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting from the field. His counterpart was 2021 guard Lamarius Martin who scored 20 points in this semifinal loss.</p> <h2><strong>Anterrius Washington &amp; Bryce Street (Central Florida Christian)</strong></h2> <p>With 2019 Bethune Cookman signee Jordan Preaster out most of the first half with three fouls, fellow seniors Anterrius Washington and Bryce Street stepped up in a big way. Washington finessed his way to 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field while Street put up a solid 18 points with his drives and mid-range hits. Preaster did manage a 10-point game.</p> <h2><strong>Travis Jay and Dilan Lawson (Madison County)</strong></h2> <p>The 2019 duo of Travis Jay and Dilan Lawson was steady all game long for the Cowboys. Turnovers were an issue in the early going, but the FSU football signee Jay worked through them to finish with a 17 point, 10 rebound and six assist performance. Lawson, a TCC baseball signee worked for all 15 of his points. 2019 guard Vincenta Mitchell (13 points) and 2020 guard Demarvion Brown (10 points) helped the cause plenty.</p> <h2><strong>Conner Varnum and Alonzo Wright (Paxton)</strong></h2> <p>Driving and attacking, 2020 guard Conner Varnum put it all on the line for Paxton with 17 points which included 11-of-12 shooting from the free throw line. As for Alonzo Wright, the lengthy 2020 forward had really good moments with a 14 point, 11 rebound outing. If he gets stronger, he will be really good. 2022 guard Latrell Sanders also reached double digits with 11 points.</p> <h2><strong>Paul Matthews &amp; Dedric Streeter (Crossroad)</strong></h2> <p>Combining for 28 points, 2020 guard Paul Matthews (16 points) and 2019 forward Dedric Streeter (12 points) were the inside guys and consistent scorers for the Scorpions. Matthews has a true leadership quality about him and is a good jump shooter. Streeter gets it done with his brute strength.</p>