Standouts: 2019 FACA All-Star Game

Jake Perper

March 23, 2019 @ 05:03 PM

LAKELAND - On Saturday afternoon, the annual FACA All-Star Game was put on by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association at the RP Funding Center. The South clipped the North side, 103-102 in a back and forth game that was very competitive and hard played for an all-star game. Booker guard Johnnie Williams led all scorers with 23 points on his way to being crowned MVP for the South group. Here is a look at the top performances from the game. <h2>Johnnie Williams (South - Booker)</h2> From the jump, Williams made it clear that he wasn't going to just float through this senior all-star matchup with his 23 points. The 6'4" guard is super athletic and he was reliable with his jump shot, connecting 7-of-14 from the field, making 7-of-7 free throws and six rebounds. Williams hit back to back contested 3's in the second half as the South rallied back. His effort and aggression were superb all game long. Unsigned take: Williams has always been known for his electric dunks and high flying blocks, but he has also gotten better as a long range shooter/decision maker and his athleticism is more than enough for a college to bring him on. <h2>Brandon Farmer (North - Villages)</h2> The length of Brandon Farmer was a huge asset to The Villages all season long and on Saturday it was no different for the 6'8" senior forward. He added a team-best 17 points along with 15 rebounds, shooting 7-of-17 from the field overall. Farmer has always been a steady attacker and an elusive one at that, but his jumper has really flourished as of late. Unsigned take: Farmer is a hard working wing, who simply grinds it out whenever he hits the floor. He'll make a college program very happy. <h2>Ahmad Johnson (South - Charlotte)</h2> Ahmad Johnson was rock solid in this game as he ended the outing with 16 points and six boards. Johnson shot 6-of-14 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep overall. It was a strong first half for the senior, who came out firing and found good areas on the floor. He pushed the tempo in the second half and got in the paint a few times as an attacker. Unsigned take: Johnson is a solid enough athlete to hold his own at the point of attack at the next level and a quiet leader with good shooting ability. <h2>Ahren Freeman & Dakota Rivers (North)</h2> Combining for 29 points and 22 rebounds, Providence's Ahren Freeman (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Windermere's Dakota Rivers (13 points, 12 rebounds) did just about all of the dirty work alongside Farmer. Freeman, a New Orleans commit wasn't overly effective with his jumper, but his brute strength and ability to get by defenders was awesome to see. Rivers used his energy and length to his advantage often something he showcased to land at FGCU. <h2>Simon Brathwaite (North - Franklin County)</h2> As an undersized forward standing at 6'3", Simon Brathwaite is crafty enough near the rim to elude defenders and quick enough to pace the floor on his own as a ballhandler. Brathwaite recorded 15 points on a solid 5-of-11 shooting from the field. He tends to find the mid-range as his comfort zone. Unsigned take: A high IQ and determined athlete, Brathwaite is someone who can add muscle and slowly develop for a college program. <h2>Jemal Davis & Nate Beymer (South)</h2> At 6'7", Jemal Davis has the jumper and athleticism to do things on his own and score. The Okeechobee senior forward and Warner signee ended the day with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, shooting 5-of-12 from the field. Davis is a sparkplug wherever he is on the floor. As for Nate Beymer (Fort Scott Community College football signee), the Auburndale senior had 14 points and eight rebounds on a steady 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Honorable mentions: South - Norris Taylor (Sebring), Jordan Clark (Booker), Jamal Qualls (Marathon) North - Montez Leath (Trinity Catholic), Nathan Louis (Apopka), Robert Gomez (Nature Coast)