All-Area Athletes & Teams
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1470169
www.yoursun.com Page 23 By PATRICK OBLEY SPORTS EDITOR Transition seemed to be the theme of the 2021-22 boys basketball season. But was it, really? Perhaps the better way to sum up this past campaign is to say the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Port Charlotte surrounded lone holdover Alex Perry with a bevy of freshmen, other underclassmen and assorted players who had not seen much varsity time. Result: District title, just like the season before. Charlotte moved on from Tre Carroll and a group of clutch seniors and replaced them with John Gamble and a group of clutch seniors. Result: Another deep playo run. Lemon Bay welcomed back an overwhelming amount of experience, but one could argue the change had to do with them all being healthy and on the court at the same time. DeSoto County replaced Keimar Richardson with Jamari Redding, who gave away about half a foot, but still managed roughly the same points and rebounds. North Port, whose 2020-21 season was ravaged by injury was much healthier this season, though the Bobcats did lose Dylan Almeyda early on. In his stead, they discovered what might potentially be the area's next great talent in Eli Lubsey. Venice, meanwhile, found itself massively undermanned for the first half of the season, then roared to life after the winter break as its state cham- pionship football team finished its run and released its talent to the hardwood. The Coach of the Year was Massolio. JOHN GAMBLE CHARLOTTE, JUNIOR Google his name and you'll see the 6-6 Gamble, depending on the site, is considered a guard, a small wing or a post player. That's just a taste of his versatility and the recruiting frenzy is only just beginning for the rare junior to have al- ready eclipsed the 1,000 career points plateau. Gamble has some of his best performances against nationally ranked competition and all eyes will be on him during his senior season. NAZIR GILCHRIST DESOTO COUNTY, SENIOR There were times when Gilchrist was the smallest player on the court, but everyone in the building knew where he was. The Bulldogs' game-changing guard displayed a shooting range measured in square miles and could drop a dozen points in less than two minutes on teams that fell asleep against him. He finished with 14.9 points per game and, as a three-sport athlete, will surely go on to surprise at the next level. JACE HUBER LEMON BAY, JUNIOR Huber came into the sea- son in a boot and left it as potentially one of the area's best returning players for the 2022-23 season. After working his way bac from torn liga- ments, the Mantas' 6-1 combo guard played with no fear, lending his personality to the team's aggressive and frenetic demeanor. He averaged 15.5 points and played his best under the spotlight of the Provencher and Wally Keller showcases. ISAIAH LEVINE VENICE, SENIOR When the Indians were seriously shorthanded at the beginning of the season, the do-it-all combo guard put the squad on his shoulders, scor- ing explosively and showing no fear as he drove to the basket just as often as he pulled up from 3-point range. Once Venice's full arsenal arrived at the end of the football season, Levine integrated seamlessly into the system and comple- mented the new arrivals' best strengths, finishing with 12.9 points on the season. ELIJAH LUBSEY NORTH PORT, SOPHOMORE Early on this season, Bobcats coach Ryan Power raved about the 6-5 Lubsey's future, saying he could be one of the best this area has produced by the time he's done. Lubsey burst onto the scene with a stellar first half of the season. He then worked to adjust when he became the focus of opposing defenses and his ability to find the open man emerged. In all, he nearly averaged a double-double (10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds) in his first full varsity campaign. ALEX PERRY PORT CHARLOTTE, SENIOR Night in and night out, Perry imposed his will on the opposition, providing cover for the Pirates' bevy of freshmen as they got used to the varsity game. Perry led the area with 20 points per game and aver- aged 9.4 rebounds. Along the way, he collected his 1,000th point and set a school sin- gle-game record with 49 points on Senior Night. DJ WOODS CHARLOTTE, SENIOR The Tarpons' shooting guard, to borrow a phrase, announced his presence with authority by becoming the first player to score 30 points in a City of Palms Premiere contest. Hey continued to be a steady producer from beyond the arc, a wily penetrator when it was called for and a deft passer whenever he saw the open man. SECOND TEAM MYLES WESTON, Venice, senior JAMARI REDDING, DeSoto County, junior BODE STEWART, Port Charlotte, junior AUSTIN BRAY, Venice, senior JAYSHON PLATT, Venice, senior JORDANY REYES-SANCHEZ, Charlotte, senior JACOB NEWCOMB, Lemon Bay, senior The more things change, the more they stay the same SUN FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS BLAKE Charlotte's John Gamble, left, and Port Charlotte's Alex Perry, right, were two of the best basket- ball players in the area this past season. ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL