GAINESVILLE (March 20) — The nine individual class finalists for the 2018 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball and Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year have been announced following balloting by a statewide panel of high school boys’ basketball coaches and prep media members.
Every finalist was the leading vote-getter in their classification, making each one the Player of the Year or Coach of the Year in their class. The two winners will be announced following a final round of balloting by coaches and media.
The nine finalists for the 2018 Mr. Basketball Award (area winners in bold)
Emmitt Williams, Senior, Forward, Oak Ridge, Class 9A Player of the Year
The Louisiana State University signee helped his team to the state title by averaging 17.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He will participate in the Jordan Brand Classic.
Serrel Smith, Senior, Guard, St. Petersburg, Class 8A Player of the Year
The University of Mississippi signee led his team to the state Final Four by averaging 29.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Scored 36 points in state semifinal loss to eventual champ Blanche Ely.
Colin Castleton, Senior, Forward, Father Lopez (Daytona Beach), Class 7A Player of the Year
The University of Michigan signee averaged 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.6 blocks in leading his squad to an 18-9 record this season.
Elijah Weaver, Senior, Guard, Rockledge, Class 6A Player of the Year
The University of Southern California signee averaged 23.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 4.3 steals per game in leading his team to a 25-4 record.
Vernon Carey Jr., Junior, Forward, NSU University School, Class 5A Player of the Year
Led his team to the state championship by averaging 26.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Zachary Scott, Senior, Guard, Westminster Academy, Class 4A Player of the Year
The Florida Gulf Coast University signee led his squad to the state title, averaging 22.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
Nassir Little, Senior, Forward, Orlando Christian Prep, Class 3A Player of the Year
The University of North Carolina signee led his team to the state title by averaging 21.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He will play in both the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
Neftali Alvarez, Senior, Guard, Miami Christian, Class 2A Player of the Year
Averaged 27.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game in leading his team to its second straight Class 2A state championship.
Kevon Godwin, Senior, Guard, Blountstown, Class 1A Player of the Year
Averaged 24.5 points and 8.0 assists per game in leading his team to the Class 1A state championship game.
The nine finalists for the 2018 Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year:
Steven Reece, Oak Ridge, Class 9A Coach of the Year
In his first year at the helm, Reece led his squad to a 30-4 record and the Class 9A state championship.
Melvin Randall, Blanche Ely, Class 8A Coach of the Year
Randall led his team to a 24-8 record and the Class 8A state championship, his sixth state title at Ely and his eighth overall (two at Deerfield Beach). In 17 years at Ely his record is 373-116. In 25 years overall he has a 575-169 mark.
Jorge Fernandez, Doral Academy, Class 7A Coach of the Year
In his fourth year at Doral, Fernandez led the school to a 32-2 record and its first state title. He has an overall record of 94-23.
Sean Campbell, Leesburg, Class 6A Coach of the Year
In his fifth year at Leesburg, Campbell produced a 30-1 record and won his second straight Class 6A state championship. His overall record is 101-53.
Adrian Sosa, NSU University School, Class 5A Coach of the Year
In his sixth year as head coach, Sosa led his squad to a 33-1 record and the Class 5A state title. He has a career record of 107-45.
Ehren Wallhoff, Westminster Academy, Class 4A Coach of the Year
Wallhoff led his team to a 23-6 record and its second straight Class 4A state title. In 15 years at Westminster, he has an overall record of 298-119, including a state runnerup finish in 2016.
Treig Burke, Orlando Christian Prep, Class 3A Coach of the Year
In his second year at OCP, Burke led his squad to a 21-9 record and its second straight Class 3A state championship. His two-year record is 48-13.
Juan Cardona, Miami Christian School, Class 2A Coach of the Year
In his second year at Miami Christian, Cardona led his squad to a 25-8 record and a second consecutive Class 2A state title. His two-year record is 55-10.
Von Moreland, Wildwood, Class 1A Coach of the Year
Moreland led his squad to a 23-7 record and the Class 1A state title. In 14 years at Wildwood he has posted a 232-116 record, with a state runner-up finish in 2017. His overall record in 23 years of coaching is 354-195.
Final voting numbers by class (top three):
Class 9A
Player School Points
Emmitt Williams Oak Ridge 104
Cade Long Boca Raton 68
KJ Simon West Orange 51
Coach School Points
Steven Reece Oak Ridge 97
Matt Colin Wellington 84
Tremaine Stevens Miramar 49
Class 8A
Player School Points
Serrel Smith St. Petersburg 108
Michael Forrest Blanche Ely 96
Keyshawn Bryant Winter Haven 54
Coach School Points
Melvin Randall Blanche Ely 116
Will Mayer Creekside (St. Johns) 72
Chris Blackwell St. Petersburg 41
Class 7A
Player School Points
Colin Castleton Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 128
Miguel Ayesa Doral Academy 84
Richard Nunez Miami Beach 67
Coach School Points
Jorge Fernandez Doral Academy 124
Andy Thigpen Choctawhatchee 81
Brandon Sensor Cape Coral 53
Class 6A
Player School Points
Elijah Weaver Rockledge 117
Keon Ellis Leesburg 82
Cordrayius Graham Leesburg 64
Coach School Points
Sean Campbell Leesburg 135
Eli Bryant Rickards 71
Markus Black Booker 58
Class 5A
Player School Points
Vernon Carey Jr. NSU University School 128
Jamal Mashburn Jr. Gulliver Prep 74
Trey Doomes NSU University School 46
Coach School Points
Adrian Sosa NSU University School 106
Carlos Villalobos Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 77
Jeff Gil Pensacola Catholic 68
Class 4A
Player School Points
Zachary Scott Westminster Academy 102
Malcolm Whitlow Carrollwood Day 65
Jose Placer Master’s Academy 58
Coach School Points
Ehren Wallhoff Westminster Academy 122
Reggie Kohn Master’s Academy 74
Billy Blackmon P.K. Yonge (Gainesville) 34
Class 3A
Player School Points
Nassir Little Orlando Christian Prep 160
Caleb Catto Southwest Florida Christian 99
Stephon Johnson Champagnat 46
Coach School Points
Treig Burke Orlando Christian Prep 107
Darin Wallace Ft. Myers Canterbury 82
Sean Crowe FAMU 55
Class 2A
Player School Points
Neftali Alvarez Miami Christian 113
Dante Treacy CFCA 81
Lahat Thioune Florida Prep 42
Coach School Points
Juan Cardona Miami Christian 94
Benjamin Jones Impact Christian 86
Jonathan McClintock CFCA 72
Class 1A
Player School Points
Kevon Godwin Blountstown 109
Darion Wilson Wildwood 97
Travis Jay Madison County 74
Coach School Points
Von Moreland Wildwood 136
Brent Zessin Blountstown 81
Allen Demps Madison County 56
