Most Memorable Moments: 2021 FHSAA State Tournament
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The 2020-21 season is officially over after 21 games were played at the 2021 FHSAA state tournament in Lakeland this past week.
With seven classes and seven champions, there was a lot of hard work put in from these schools.
Here is a look at the most memorable moments I saw from the four-day tournament.
Amen Thompson saves the day in 4A
The Thompson twins, Amen and Ausar were the most versatile athletes in the entire state tournament as 2022 prospects. In the Class 4A state final on Saturday Pine Crest rallied back behind 43 points, 13 rebounds and eight steals from Amen as the team trailed by over eight points with just over a minute left in regulation. Amen saved the day alongside the tough-nosed rebounding from 2022 6-3 guard Isaiah Ramsey Isaiah Ramsey 6'2" | CG Wesley Chapel | 2020 State FL (and a trio of free throws). Amen carried the load with Ausar fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Pine Crest took home its fourth state title as the Ausar scored 27 points in the semifinal and Amen did his thing in the final. The 6-5 twins have a plethora of offers which include Memphis, UF, FSU, Alabama and more.
Calvary Christian never quits capturing 3A
In perhaps the most wild game on Friday, Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian got the best of Bishop McLaughlin in the Class 3A state title. Behind 2023 duo,
Marvel Allen
Marvel
Allen
6'4" | SG
Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023
State
#46
Nation
FL
and
Carl Cherenfant
Carl
Cherenfant
6'4" | CG
Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023
State
#68
Nation
FL
, the team got more aggressive in the second half and ultimately won in single overtime. Allen, a 6-4 guard had 21 points leading the way and doing all he could to take over the game. Cherenfant, a 6-5 guard was highly productive with 18 points and played through foul trouble for much of the second half. 2022 bigs
Gregg Glenn
Gregg
Glenn
6'7" | PF
Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022
State
#161
Nation
FL
(15 points) and
Taylor Hendricks
Taylor
Hendricks
6'9" | PF
Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022
State
#124
Nation
FL
(13 points) each had bright moments. 2021 6-4 guard
Dylan Canoville
Dylan
Canoville
6'5" | SF
Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2021
State
FL
ended the game 13 points and a 360-dunk in the waning seconds. This was a game to remember.
Emanuel Sharp
Emanuel
Sharp
6'5" | SG
Bishop McLaughlin | 2022
State
#66
Nation
FL
is a problem
If there were any doubters,
Emanuel Sharp
Emanuel
Sharp
6'5" | SG
Bishop McLaughlin | 2022
State
#66
Nation
FL
certainly did everything to turn them away after a ridiculous two-game performance at the state tournament. Averaging 36 PPG, the 2022 6-4 guard was flat out awesome for Bishop McLaughlin. He fought through consistent double teams in the semifinal against Andrew Jackson to finish with 39 points (21 of 22 at the free throw line). In the state final, he kept his team ahead of Calvary Christian for much of the game with 33 points, never coming off the floor. He is a high-end scorer/shooter and someone who has really improved his physical attacking. Houston offered last Thursday.
Dontrell Jenkins turns heads
If you didn’t know the name Dontrell Jenkins, well you do now. The 2023 5-10 guard is a gamer. He dropped 22 points and 31 points respectively in the Class 4A semis and final. Jenkins shot nearly 59 percent from deep and seemed to always find openings for himself when Santa Fe needed a bucket most. In the state final loss to Pine Crest, he scored in flurries and was almost impossible to contain with his mix of speed, ballhandling and smoothness. Whoever lands him for AAU will be lucky this spring and summer.
Deebo Coleman
Deebo
Coleman
6'6" | SG
West Nassau | 2021
State
#49
Nation
FL
puts it all on the line for West Nassau
Talk about going out with a bang. 2021 Georgia Tech signee
Deebo Coleman
Deebo
Coleman
6'6" | SG
West Nassau | 2021
State
#49
Nation
FL
recorded 33 points in a 64-63 loss to Santa Fe in the Class 4A semifinals. The 6-6 guard can do it all as a shooter, slasher and leader. Wait until he gets to college, he is ready for the next level with his all-around game and his get-it-done mentality. Coleman will thrive in the college ranks on and off the court.
Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL makes it happen in 7A final
After not having his typical shooting performance in the Class 7A semifinal over Orlando foe Oak Ridge, 2022 6-4 guard Denzel Aberdeen Denzel Aberdeen 6'4" | PG Dr. Phillips | 2022 State #197 Nation FL set the tone from the jump in the state final against Dwyer. Putting together a 27-point performance, Aberdeen was an energy guy, scoring at the cup and really getting his team amped up defensively as well. A nice mix of speed and a steady jumper, Aberdeen is a blow-up candidate with just three offers out from FGCU, Stetson and Louisiana Lafayette.
The “Nates” carry Wildwood in 1A title game
Taking down undefeated Milton Central in Class 1A, Wildwood played its game and boy was it fun to watch. 46 of the 66 points for Wildwood came from a pair of 2021 starters with the first name Nate. 6-4 forward Nate Mikell Nate Mikell 6'4" | CG Wildwood | 2021 State FL has been a mainstay with his length and burst. The Division II Gannon football commit scored 24 points in his final basketball game for Wildwood. 5-10 guard Nate Rembert Nate Rembert 5'8" | PG Eustis | 2021 State FL , a transfer from Eustis was a lightning bolt and a vocal presence on the floor with 22 points. Wildwood wanted that title bad and they earned it with a full team effort.
Walter Clayton Walter Clayton 6'3" | PG Bartow | 2021 State #218 Nation FL celebrates his 18th birthday with a title
Winning back to back state titles has to be a great feeling but 2021 Iona signee Walter Clayton Walter Clayton 6'3" | PG Bartow | 2021 State #218 Nation FL certainly felt a little sad after the Class 6A state title victory over Mater Academy. The fact that his high school career was over was setting in. But regardless, it was his 18th birthday and one of the toughest point guards if not the toughest in Polk County history gave Bartow everything he had these past two seasons after coming over from Lake Wales. Clayton scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the state final win and is well on his way at the next level.
…Bartow had four other players in double figures which included 2021 trio
Malcolm Dewberry
Malcolm
Dewberry
5'11" | CG
Bartow | 2021
State
FL
(14 points),
Daithan Davis
Daithan
Davis
6'5" | PF
Bartow | 2021
State
FL
(12 points) and
Tyrone Smith
Tyrone
Smith
5'8" | SG
Bartow | 2021
State
FL
(10 points). 2023 guard
Kjei Parker
Kjei
Parker
6'1" | CG
Bartow | 2023
State
FL
posted a 15-point night and will be the man in charge of the backcourt next season on a Bartow team graduating nine seniors in the 2021 class.
AJ Brown
AJ
Brown
6'4" | CG
Orlando Christian Prep | 2022
State
#190
Nation
FL
is a bucket
Orlando Christian Prep won its ninth state title and second in a row as it finished 27-0 behind a beyond talented squad in Class 2A. 2022 6-4 guard
AJ Brown
AJ
Brown
6'4" | CG
Orlando Christian Prep | 2022
State
#190
Nation
FL
was the most efficient scorer for the Warriors on the week, scoring 29 points in the state semifinal win over Grandview Prep and 18 points in the state final win over Impact Christian. He shot 66 percent and simply looked the part as a smart shooter and an overall scorer. The future is bright for the junior who has offers from Alabama, USF, Hofstra, Stetson and FGCU.
Maybe this is why they call him Poppa…
Oh my goodness, 2021 NC State commit Ernest Ross
Ernest Ross 6'9" | PF Santa Fe | 2021 State #57 Nation FL just threw it down here for Santa Fe.@CoachElHarris @erndastern230 pic.twitter.com/V2FhwA6pRN
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 6, 2021
