Metro vs Florida Challenge: Day 1
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
APOPKA, FL – The 10th annual Metro vs Florida Challenge is all about opening the season for most teams, but it will eventually come down to bragging rights at the end of the three-day event, which concludes Saturday night at Apopka High.
Here are some players, who took the challenge, to make certain people notice them or their team.
Michael James | Oak Ridge
The Pioneers athletic forward delivered the highlight of the early season. James finished with a team-high 19 points in Oak Ridge High’s 77-64 win over Mainland High. However, the talk of the night was when the 2021 uber athlete took a pass off the glass from Kaleb Thomas for a two-handed thunderous dunk, which sent spectators into a frenzy.
Ladarron Cleveland | Seminole
Despite missing three other teammates due to their continued success on the football field, Cleveland feasted on Lake Nona. The senior point guard just took it upon himself to get to work. He scored 17 of his game-high 31 points in the first quarter. His points came in an array of moves. He also displayed some athleticism, which included him catching a body late in the second half.
Bryce Johnson | Lake Nona
This 6-foot-2 junior was effective against a tough Seminole squad. He finished with a team-high 26 points by torching the nets from three-point line on 7 of 11 shooting. Scoring was not the only thing Johnson was doing as he pulled down 11 rebounds in the Lions defeat.
Bradley Douglas | Eustis
The senior guard delivered the performance of the day Wednesday. He scored 36 points in a 75-72 win over Timber Creek. The Panthers needed every point shooting more than 50% from the field and three-point line (4-for-7).
Shakur Poteat | Jones
Poteat was spectacular against Orlando Christian Prep. The senior guard scored 31-points in the same amount of minutes. His ability to score ball from anywhere on the floor makes him an intriguing college prospect.
Jordan Sears | Mainland
The Gardner Webb commit did everything in his power to keep the Buccaneers in the game against Oak Ridge. He scored a game-high 26 points in defeat.
Dylan Holloman | Timber Creek
He has built a name on being a relentless defender. However, the senior guard made sure to get his scoring on with a 21 point performance against Eustis.
Anthony Brown | Orlando Christian Prep
This 6-foot-3 sophomore jumped out of the game early and never looked back. The guard was electric the entire game. He scored a team-high 21 points. His maturity over the last year looks like it will propel him toward a solid second-year campaign.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.