Florida: Sagemont basketball upsets Boyd Anderson

Entering the tournament, the hype revolved around the battle between Sagemont's 7-foot center Fabricio De Melo, a Brazilian native and Syracuse verbal, and Boyd Anderson's Travis Elliott, a 6-8 power forward and High Point commit. Both are among the top centers within the region and have proven to be too much for their opponents, as Melo entered the game averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Elliott has averaged 13 points and 11 boards per contest.

Area fans did not get what they wanted in the two big men, as both De Melo (five points, nine rebounds) and Elliott (eight points) were non factors. However, they did get to witness the emergence of Sagemont (11-3) forward Will Sheehey. Sheehey, a senior and Indiana verbal, took advantage of De Melo's presence and dominated the game, leading all scorers with 27 points to go along with eight boards.

"When you have a great center like Fab inside, it makes things easier for everybody," said Sheehey.

The 6-6 foward, who took home the game's Most Valuable Player award, scored 12 of his team's first 14 points, helping the Lions race to a 14-7 first-quarter lead over the Cobras. Sheehey's first-half dominance helped fuel the Lions to a 27-15 lead by halftime.

De Melo ignited a 13-3 run for Sagemont to start the second half with a nifty reverse lay-up followed by a sharp hook shot on the ensuing possesion. Sheehey, who recorded seven of the team's 13 in the run, helped Sagemont extend its lead to 40-19 with 3:40 left in the third. Elliott, who had a nasty spill shortly before halftime, couldn't help his team gain momentum.

Four players represented Florida's south region as they took home the state's Player of the Year award (within their respective classifications). With the achievements, all four are eligible for the state's Mr. Football award.

Jeffrey Godfrey, Miami Central

File photo by Lou Novick

Class 6A: Jeffrey Godfrey

Godfrey, a Central Florida verbal, wrapped up his career at Miami Central as one of the best quarterbacks in Miami-Dade County history. As a senior, the dual-threat standout completed 178 of 286 passes for 2,748 yards with 36 touchcdowns and eight interceptions, while becoming the county's all-time passing yardage leader.

Class 5A: LaMarcus Joyner

Joyner, a Florida State verbal, meant everything to St. Thomas Aquinas, which sat atop of the national rankings for the majority of the season. Joyner, who played only one year with the Raiders after transferring from Miami Southwest, was all over the field this season, racking up 1,090 all-purpose yards while playing receiver, running back and special teams. He was also widely considered as the country's top defenisve back. Joyner displayed the entire package after scoring two touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return, against Byrnes (S.C.), then ranked No. 2 in the nation, in front of a nationally televised audience.

Class 4A: Matt Elam

Elam, a University of Florida verbal, is the most decorated out of the four after having a standout season for Dwyer and leading the way to its first state title in school history. Elam, who dominated on both sides of the ball as a running back and linebacker, rushed for 1,883 yards and 27 touchdowns on 178 carries, while also registering 61 tackles, including 15 for negative yardage. Elam's stellar play did not go unnoticed, as he was also named the 2009-2010 Gatorade Florida Player of the Year.

Class 1B: Kelvin Taylor

Taylor, a freshman, could have the most promising career out of the four considering his young age but experienced talent. The 6-foot, 200-pound running back, the son of New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor, had one of the most impressive freshman seasons in state history, rushing for 2,597 yards and 47 touchdowns while leading Glades Day to the state championship. Of those totals, 1,158 yards and 19 touchdowns came in the playoffs (four games). In just two years of playing at the varisy level, Taylor has amassed 4,234 yards and 76 touchdowns and is on pace to break Emmitt Smith's state record of 8,804 career rushing yards.

This week's top individual peformance award goes to Flanagan's Khyle Marshall. The senior center recorded a triple-double, scoring 23 points to go along with 13 rebounds and 10 steals in a 70-55 win over Piper.

Cedric Johnson, center, Carol City: Scored 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a 64-56 win over Hialeah Miami-Lakes.

Shaquandria Litmon, forward, South Miami: Helped her team end one of Miami-Dade County's longest active win streaks after scoring 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 10 steals in a 52-48 win over Lourdes.

Brandon Knight, guard, Pine Crest: Scored a game-high 41 points in an 81-65 win over Cardinal Gibbons. Knight is the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year and one of the state's leading scorers.

Mike Chalas, guard, West Broward: Scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 48-40 win over Hollywood Hills.

Brandon Iverson, guard, Coral Springs Christian: Scored 20 points to go along with five rebounds, four steals, three assists and two steals in a 69-44 win over Calvary Christian.

Nicole Graziani, center, Pembroke Pines Charter: Scored 13 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in a loss to Stranahan. Graziani, who scored her 1,000 career point earlier in the season, also recorded her 1,000th career rebound in the loss.

A pair of Miami Northwestern Bulls made there collegiate choices last week. Seniors Michaelee Harris and Corvin Lamb have given their verbal commitments to the University of Louisville. Harris, one of the state's top receivers, led the Bulls with 49 receptions for 677 yards and seven scores (averaging 14 yards per catch), while Lamb, one of the county's top return men, also led the Bulls with 880 yards rushing on 93 carries and 12 touchdowns (averaging 10 yards per carry).

Hollywood Hills defensive end Clarence Murphy has given his verbal commitment to the University of Maryland. Murphy, who was also considering Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado State and FIU, capped his senior year at Hills with 75 total tackles and 12 sacks.