Hoops Hype: Meet the 2024 All-Big Bend boys basketball teams, coach, player of the year
One of the highlights of winter in the Big Bend is preps basketball.
The season captures the attention of those in the area as preps fans transition from the football bleachers to the stands around the hardwood.
Like years prior, there was no lack of talent or excitement this year, with multiple programs making runs in district and regional tournaments.
Godby, Rickards, Crossroad Academy and Munroe all won district titles and St. John Paul II, Lincoln and Florida High all received at-large bids to join the district winners in the regional tournament.
Both the Seminoles and the Bobcats made it to the regional semifinals, while Rickards made the regional final. Only one program won its region, with Crossroad Academy making it to the state semifinals in Colin Anderson's first season as head coach.
With so much competition on the hardwood and so many players making their impact felt, let's dive into the 2024 All-Big Bend Basketball teams.
All Big Bend boys basketball Player of the Year: Mario Forbes, St. John Paul II
The rise of Mario Forbes from a potential star to one of the area's best players was one of the highlights of the 2024 season for St. John Paul II.
Averaging 8.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and one steal per game in his sophomore season, Forbes exploded in his junior year, nearly doubling his scoring and rebounding averages by recording 18.1 points and 15.7 rebounds per game, while also adding one steal, one assist and 1.2 blocks per game.
Forbes's output in his junior year also landed him in the JPII record books, becoming the program's all-time leader in rebounds. Recording 23 double-doubles in 27 games of action, Forbes was unstoppable on the boards, posting games of 20 or more points and rebounds multiple times this season.
With his impressive display of scoring and rebounding along with his defensive exploits, JPII's Mario Forbes has earned the 2024 All-Big Bend Boy's Basketball Player of the Year honors.
All Big Bend boys basketball Coach of the Year: Colin Anderson, Crossroad Academy
Returning to the hardwood sidelines for the first time in two years, Crossroad Academy head coach Colin Anderson marked his return to coaching with a memorable run this season.
Taking over the head coaching role for the Scorpions in May, Anderson led the team to a Class 1A District 4 title and 1A Region 1 championship. Making an appearance in the state semifinals the team lost to Hilliard and finished the year with an 18-8 record as Crossroad Academy was one of the top 1A teams in the state under Anderson this year.
With a roster consisting of only two seniors, Anderson's squad of mostly sophomores and juniors will return to the school next season. The Scorpions had a balanced offense and were known for frustrating teams defensively with intense pressure and at times full-court press.
For his standout return to the coaching sidelines and team success on the court, Anderson has earned the 2024 All-Big Bend boys basketball Coach of the Year distinction.
All-Big Bend First Team
Mario Forbes, Jr., St. John Paul II: 26 GP, 18.1 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 1 apg, 1 spg, 1.2 bpg
Randall Pompey, Sr., Rickards: 26 GP, 13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .7 apg, .7 spg, 0.2 bbg
Isaiah Bundridge, Jr., Chiles: 26 GP, 18.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2 spg, .5 bpg
Dakota Morris, Sr., Florida High: 26 GP, 11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg, .7 bpg
Ja'Mari Favors, Sr., Crossroad Academy: 22 GP, 12.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.8 spg, .1 bpg
Nasir Williams, Sr., Gadsden County: 20 GP, 13.4 ppg, 18.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 7 spg, 1.7 bpg
Jamari Mosley, Jr., Gadsden County: 18 GP, 19.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.9 spg, .7 bpg
BJ Plummer, Jr., Rickards: 27GP, 12.4 ppg, 2 rpg, 3.8 apg, .6 spg, .1 bbg
Karlton Knight, Sr., Munroe: 25 GP, 15.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1 apg, 1.3 spg, .4 bpg
Parker Freeland, Jr., North Florida Christian: 23 GP, 17 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg
Leith Kenon, Sr., Munroe: 24 GP, 13.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2 apg, 1.8 spg, .6 bpg
Terrell "TJ" Baker, Sr., Florida High: 25 GP, 10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.7 spg, .2 bpg
All-Big Bend Second Team
Trey Card, Jr., Florida High: 29 GP, 9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, .8 spg, .6 bpg
Malakhi Lowe, So., Lincoln: 25 GP, 10.2 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Romie Cosby, Sr., Rickards: 27 GP, 11.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .8 apg, 2.3 spg
Cayden King, Sr., St. John Paul II: 26 GP, 12.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.7 spg, .2 bpg
Camari Hale, So., Crossroad Academy: 21 GP, 9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, .2 apg, .6 spg, .1 bpg
Daniel Walker, Sr., Lincoln: 25 GP, 8.5 ppg, 4 apg, 2.5 spg
Iyran Francis, Jr., Florida High: 29 GP, 7.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .4 apg, 1.1 spg, 3.5 bpg
Eric Turral, Fr., FAMU DRS: 15.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 3.4 spg, .1 bpg
Ethan Bass, Jr., Aucilla Christian: 18.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.4 apg, 3.6 spg, .1 bpg
Allen Collier, Sr., Taylor County: 13 GP, 12.3 ppg, 7.7. rpg, .8 apg, .5 spg, .5 bpg
Zy Reese, Jr., Munroe: 23 GP, 10.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, .9 apg, 1.5 spg, .1 bpg
Jaden Staten, So., Godby: 22 GP, 12.7 ppg, .5 rpg, 1 apg
All-Big Bend honorable mention
Mekhi Butler, Jr., Godby: 22 GP, 12 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .6 apg
Justin Carter, Sr., Wakulla: 16 GP, 12.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .3 apg, .8 spg, 1.4 bpg
Labron Lee, Jr., Madison County: 23 GP, 15.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, .2 bpg
Jace Riggan, Fr., North Florida Christian: 22 GP, 16.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 spg
Javeion Ervin, Sr., Lincoln: 25 GP, 11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Jabari Boahen, So., Crossroad Academy: 22 GP, 7.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, .1 bpg
Amare Robinson, Jr., Florida High: 29 GP, 9 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.2 bpg
Calvin Thomas, So., Rickards: 27 GP, 8.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, .4 spg, .1 bpg
Louis Gaddy, Jr., Taylor County: 17 GP, 11.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.4 bpg
Marcus Hawkins Jr., Sr., Madison County: 23 GP, 11.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.3 bpg
TQ Strozier, Sr., Chiles: 26 GP, 6.3 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 spg, 3.1 bpg
Jakari Jackson Sr., Taylor County: 15 GP, 11 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 5.7 apg, 3.9 spg, .7 bpg
Tyrek Jessie, So., Crossroad Academy: 21 GP, 7.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.6 spg, .5 bpg
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The 2024 All-Big Bend boys basketball teams have been revealed
