Rivers, Wildcats pursuing state championship repeat.
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Austin Rivers ended his recruitment in late September by committing to Duke.
<center>Photo by Jim Redman</center>
David Bailey
2009-2010 record: 29-6, Florida Class 6A state champions
Key returnees: Brett Comer (6-2, Sr., G, Florida International), James Ferrell (6-2, Sr., G),
Austin Rivers (6-4, Sr., G, Duke), Alex Swanson (6-5, Sr., F)
Keep an eye on: Austin Keel (6-2, Sr., G), Michael Merlano (6-9, Jr., G/F), Billy Dee Williams (6-5, Jr., G/F), Josh Williams (6-6, Jr., F)
Scouting report: The Wildcats aren't just a one-man show, but talk of the defending Florida 6A champions seems to always begin with future Duke Blue Devil Austin Rivers.
"It's been absolutely amazing," Bailey said of his first three years with Rivers in the program. "I've been coaching for 16 years and never had a player close to Austin's caliber. He's one of a kind, but very level-headed, very receptive to coaching and he works incredibly hard. It makes it easy when your best player is your hardest worker.
"I may never get the opportunity again. Kids like him just don't stay at the public schools anymore. That's just Austin. He had those same opportunities but wanted to stay in his hometown and win a state championship."
Winter Park did just that last season as Rivers averaged 23.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Backcourt mate Comer is also back after posting 12.3 points and 4.8 assists per outing as a junior. The program also got some outside help.
Keel, a transfer from Winter Springs, is regarded as one of the finest outside shooters in the state. Billy Dee Williams is another transfer with "off the charts athleticism" according to Bailey.
But the new faces also mean inexperience when it comes to playing the high-profile schedule Winter Park will tackle. The Wildcats lost seven seniors from last year's championship squad.
"We have four new guys who haven't experienced that all," Bailey said. "How they handle that attention and being part of a nationally-ranked program, that remains to be seen."
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