SIAA State Final: Central Pointe Christian wins its first ever title

<p>ORLANDO - In only its second year of playing in the SIAA, Central Pointe Christian took home a championship on Sunday night in front of a big supporting home crowd at the OCPS Academic Center for Excellence.</p> <p>After winning 18 games a year ago and losing to West Oaks in the SIAA state semifinals, the White Tigers avenged that loss by beating West Oaks this time 68-63 and finishing the season 24-7 overall.</p> <p>The game came down to crucial plays from 2021 6'6" forward <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ramses-melendez/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ramses-melendez/">Ramses Melendez</a></a> </strong>who had UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins and one of his assistants in attendance watching. Down 60-56 with under two minutes left, Melendez buried a corner 3 right in front of his bench and sparked much needed energy. Moments later, he put his team ahead 61-60 with a dunk in transition and that put that game on ice.</p> <p>2020 6'6" FGCU signee <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/victor-rosa/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/victor-rosa/">Victor Rosa</a></a></strong> connected on a long 3 with 38 seconds later and the Central Pointe Christian fans erupted in joy. West Oaks was down to four players prior to that play after 2020 6'5" guard <strong>Jadrian  "Bam" Tracey </strong>fouled out after a tough-nosed offensive effort.</p> <p>All in all, the Flame (25-7) lost its four guards overall. 2020 6'4" Kansas State signee <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/selton-miguel/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/selton-miguel/">Selton Miguel</a></a></strong> was not in uniform to a broken wrist injury as his arm was in a sling prior to the game. On top of that, 2021 6'1" guard<strong> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-neal/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aj-neal/">AJ Neal</a></a></strong> left the game alongside 2020 6'9" UNF signee and Central Pointe Christian forward <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonathan-aybar/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jonathan-aybar/">Jonathan Aybar</a></a></strong> as the two got caught in a heated scuffle five minutes into the first half and were both ejected. 2020 6'4" guard <strong>AJ Staton </strong>fouled out with just over seven minutes left leaving Tracey as the lone true guard left in uniform.</p> <p>It was a magnificent effort from both sides as West Oaks gritted it out with seven players to start and held a narrow lead late with under two minutes left despite Tracy being the only guard among the five players left in the game for them. </p> <p>Hats of to Central Pointe Christian as it was a true team effort with good shooting, transitional play and all-around speed and heads up scoring.</p> <p><em>Here are some notes from the SIAA State Final.</em></p> <p><strong>Melendez is really good</strong></p> <p>From start to finish, Melendez was the best player on the floor in this game. He scored the game's first seven points and had nine of his team's first 16 points in the opening half alone. Ending the night with 20 points, he capped off his outing with seven of his team's final 12 points with under two minutes left. He had two dunks late and played with poise, confidence and used his length to his advantage on every jumper and attacking lay-in he made. Melendez is smooth as can be and is good with or without the ball in hands. He's a high IQ player who is tough to slow down.</p> <p><strong>Staton performed well</strong></p> <p>With a game-high 23 points, it was Staton who led the way for West Oaks right up until he fouled out. The Flame rested him for a bit in the second half with his four fouls but took a chance by putting him back in the game. He lasted for a while and even tied the game up at 48 apiece with under eight minutes left on two made free throws. With 14 first half points, Staton had to play even more aggressive than usual as Miguel and Neal watched from the bench unable to suit up. A low to mid-major Division I school will be pleased to land him.</p> <p><strong>Dibba is athletic</strong></p> <p>2020 6'4" guard/forward <strong>Ali Dibba</strong> makes some plays with his pure athleticism and overall burst. He is strong in both his upper and lower body and is fun to watch weave past defenses and put his body on the line. He recorded 17 points including nine in the second half and a few important takes right at the rim. Certainly, there is room to improve as a shooter and a ballhandler, but Dibba is an athlete who will draw plenty of college attention this summer.</p> <p><strong>Tracey battled </strong></p> <p>Not all of his shots were falling, but you have to tip your cap to Tracey who did all he could for a shorthanded West Oaks team late. He finished with 19 points and was vocal, taking over the backcourt and pushing the cause up the floor time and time again. Saint Joseph's head coach Billy Lange and two of his assistants were there watching the senior. Wherever Tracey lands in college, you can bet he will provide a lot to his new squad with his combo guard skillset. </p> <p><strong>Rosa saved his best for his last</strong></p> <p>With just two points at the break, Rosa did his part in a closer role for Central Pointe Christian. He hit a 3 earlier in the second half a tough mid-range jumper midway through. But it was his sealing 3-pointer with under 40 seconds left that put it away. Rosa is a seasoned shooter who will get stronger and more assertive at FGCU in the fall.</p> <p><strong>Nguimbi has upside</strong></p> <p>Only a sophomore, 2022 6'7" West Oaks forward <strong>Fray Nguimbi</strong> had 12 points and 11 rebounds in a nice effort. He has room to improve as a ballhandler and to add muscle to his upper frame, but he's long and a very active inside presence on both ends of the floor. Nguimbi cleaned up a few misses with dunks and loves to play aggressive. His upside is clear.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Central Pointe Christian (<a href="https://twitter.com/CPCAhoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cpcahoops</a>) captured its first ever SIAA State Final with a 68-63 win over West Oaks. <a href="https://twitter.com/siaa_fl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@siaa_fl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopExchange?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoopExchange</a> <a href="https://t.co/RCC3WwIayG">pic.twitter.com/RCC3WwIayG</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1234275959047688197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>