Jacksonville FL- The 2017-2018 Duval County Middle School Basketball season tipped off this past week with a full schedule of games. The defending champions Gilbert Panther Boys Basketball and Highlands Girls Basketball Teams are looking to remain atop the basketball echelon of Duval County. However several teams are reloaded and ready to challenge them on the hardwood in 2018. Here’s a look at the scores from week #1 and some outlook on teams for the season.
[su_divider]
Girls Basketball
Highlands 50 Oceanway 15
Highlands:
Coach Rod Carter has an explosive team of athletes once again. They look to 3-peat as champions!
Key Players: PG Asiana Britt, and PF Brenae Watkins
Once again Highlands has leadership and talent at the guard position. Watkins plays power forward but she is very quick and fast. She brings an element to the team that most basketball teams don’t have, the ability to play great offense and great defense. It’s going to be hard for teams to keep up with them up and down the court. Britt is all about business on and off the court. She is decisive with the ball and confident in her ability to dominate at her position. Great ball handler and defender.
Kernan 42 Dupont 5
Kernan:
Kernan has one of the most dominant inside presence players in the city in #32 Jada Jones. She can block shots, secure rebounds, and put up points in the paint. She is complimented by #33 Kayla Johnson who is a very confident guard on the team with the ability to run the offense for coach Amber Smith
Ft. Caroline 27 Stilwell 13
Ft Caroline
Ft. Caroline looked good in the preseason tournament and in week one against Stilwell. Its clear who their go to player was. #23 is confident with the basketball and methodical with her decision making . She knows what shot she wants to take and how she wants to take it. Her teammates compliment her well by getting after rebounds, and making plays on defense.
Mayport 20 Darnell Cookman 21
Fletcher 16 Twin Lakes 30
Arlington 55 Lake Shore 20
J.E.B Stuart 26 Landon 23
Mandarin 34 James Weldon 23
Kirby 43 Ribault 9
Jeff Davis 50 Landmark 14
Southside 35 Baldwin 22
Gilbert 39 Butler 19
———————————————————————————————————————–
Boys Basketball
Kernan 39 Dupont 23
Kernan
Kernan jumped out to a very nice win over Dupot in week 1. They were led by guards Nathan Ferrer’s 9 points, and Perriel Pender’s 12 points. Ferrer is the team leader and it showed with him diving for loose balls and getting teammates in the right positrons. Pender is very fluid with the ball, able to create his own shot off the dribble. Coach Morgan is looking forward to a good season with this team who plays really well together.
Gilbert 49 Butler 19
Southside 45 Baldwin 42
Jeff Davis 46 Landmark 43
Kirby 33 Ribault 13
James Weldon 56 Mandarin 42
J.E.B 41 Landon 20
Oceanway 46 Highlands 38
Stilwell 35 Ft. Caroline 31
Fletcher 50 Twin Lakes 40
Mayport 31 Darnell Cookman 41
Darnell Cookman
Coach McGraw has Darnell Cookman playing together as a team and it showed in their week one victory against Mayport. Leaders like #2 Landon Shinego, #11 Afeyohn Miller, #10 Samuel Brooks, and #21 Julian Pedro have the Vikings off to a 1-0 start. They are an exciting team watch,and what they lack in size they make up with heart.
Arlington 41 Lake Shore 36
