Kingdom of the Sun through the decades: Who had the best era?
Which era of the Kingdom of the Sun tournament was the best? We invited former participants from North Marion and Vanguard high schools to talk about the decades in which they played.
Vanguard legend and former overseas professional basketball player Eric Dailey Sr. represents the 1980s, when the Knights were a state power with the talent to compete with nationally ranked teams. North Marion head boys basketball coach Tim Yarn represents the 1990s, and North Marion head football coach Greg Carr talks about the 2000s.
Watch this blast from the past before the 2023 Kingdom of the Sun begins Dec. 27-30. There’s sure to be more memories made this year.
New look Knights: Vanguard head basketball coach Travis Licht talks about the Knights and Kingdom of the Sun
Florida High School Hoops Show: Donnie Wilkie, the architect behind the City of Palms
Florida High School Hoops Show: Keeping up with Oak Ridge and the Reeces'
Players to know for the 2023 Kingdom of the Sun
Green Tech Charter - Albany, NY
1 Haisi Mayben, 2025 6’1 G (Albany, Howard, Morgan St. Interest)
2 Ramere Brown, 2025 6’2 G (Albany Interest)
21 U’Mier Graham, 2025 6’6 F (Albany, LaMoyne Interest)
22 Olivan Owens, 2025 6’7 F (Mississippi St., Ole Miss, Bryant Interest)
Hawthorne Middle High - Hawthorne, FL
10 CJ Ingram, 2025 6’5 G (FAMU Offer. Florida, Virginia Tech Interest)
Leto High - Tampa, FL
0 Daniel Delgardo, 2024 6’1 G (Fairmont St. Offer. New Orleans, SMU, Fordham, Northeastern, App St., Georgia St. Interest)
4 Derek Delgardo, 2024 6’2 G (Fairmont St. Offer. New Orleans, SMU, Fordham, Northeastern, App St., Georgia St. Interest)
Mariner High - Cape Coral, FL
2 Corey Hunter, 2024 6’0 G
5 Justin Lewis, 2024 6’0 G
11 Kelvin Jimenez, 2024 6’2 G
13 Marcus Kelley Jr, 2024 6’1 G
Math, Civics & Sciences Charter - Philadelphia, PA
0 Milak Myatt, 2026 6’3 G (UTEP Offer. Temple, LaSalle, Ole Miss Interest)
4 Sair Alsbrooks, 2024 6’6 F
Miami Southridge Senior High - Miami, FL
1 Rey Daniels, 2024 6’0 G
2 O’cien Valdes, 2025 5’11 G
North Marion High - Citra, FL
0 Jerdarrius Jackson, 2026 6’2 G
5 Brenden Barber, 2025 6’3 G
12 Coy Sizemore, 2025 5’10 G
Ponte Vedra High - Ponte Vedra, FL
1 Sam Ritchie, 2024 6’1 G (Rhodes College Offer)
20 Trace Westercamp, 2026 6’9 F (Stetson, Jacksonville Offers)
21 Tyler Cowan, 2024 6’6 F
Rockledge High - Rockledge, FL
4 Terrence Shannon, 2025 6’0 G (Mount St. Mary’s Offer)
12 Ryan Blount, 2024 F (Tampa Commit)
21 CJ Kearns, 2024 F (Navy Commit)
23 Conlan Oakley, 2026 G/F
St. Thomas Aquinas High - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1 Zane Elliot, 2026 6’6 F/G
2 Drake Sandi, 2026 6’2 G (Bethune-Cookman Offer)
4 Ayden Ambrose, 2026 5’11 G
5 Matt Andreopoulos, 2024 6’1 G (Oberlin Offer)
12 Clarence Westbrook Jr, 2027 6’1 G
Trinity Catholic High - Ocala, FL
1 Justin Bandy, 2025 6’9 F (USF Interest)
4 Elijah Leon, 2025 6’2 G
13 Jadiel Jimenez, 2025 6’1 G
Vanguard High - Ocala, FL
1 D’Mareon Manning, 2024 5’9 G
3 Johnardo Turner, 2024 6’0 G (Plattsburgh St. Interest)
35 Dylan Harris, 2026 6’6 F
Victory Christian Academy - Lakeland, FL
2 Lorenzo Cason, 2024 6’3 G (FAU Commit)
4 Tucker Fox, 2026 6’0 G
5 Jordan Lanier, 2024 6’4 G
10 Jalen Dorsey, 2024 6’3 G
12 Quinton Wilson, 2028 6’3 G
23 Mike Andino, 2024 6’0 G
33 Thok Gol, 2026 6’8 F
Williston Middle-High - Williston, FL
0 Reggie White, 2024 6’2 G (Waynesburg, Lakeland Offers)
1 Aramys Rodriguez, 2024 6’3 G (Embry Riddle, Palm Beach Atlantic Interest)
2 Javon Brown, 2024 6’6 F
5 Deandre Harvey, 2026 6’4 G
10 Kyler Lamb, 2024 6’6 F (Midway Offer. Cornell, Flagler Interest)
Winter Haven High - Winter Haven, FL
0 Jamie Phillips Jr, 2024 6’5 G (Stetson Commit)
4 Isaac Celicar, 2024 6’6 G (Yale Commit)
5 Cezanne Mosley, 2025 6’7 F (Stetson, Jacksonville Offers
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Remembering the Kingdom of the Sun through local legends
