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Unveiling the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All-Area Boys Basketball Team

Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·6 min read

With another run to the state semifinals, Mainland continued to set the standard for Volusia-Flagler boys basketball programs.

The Buccaneers tied Halifax for the local lead with 22 wins and kept collecting hardware. They retained the Five Star Conference crown and again won their district and regional tournaments.

Mainland was the only area squad to clinch a district championship and an automatic berth into the state playoffs. But three other teams — Father Lopez, Halifax and Atlantic — went to their respective district finals.

The Green Wave and the Knights advanced to the playoffs with at-large invitations, as did Deltona.

Those teams, plus others, are well represented on the all-area list.

The 2024 Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards.
The 2024 Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER: Meet the 2023-24 Volusia-Flagler All-Area girls soccer team

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the athlete of the year nominees for boys basketball. The winners will be announced during the live show on Monday, June 3, at the Ocean Center.

The show is presented with the support of Halifax Health.

During the live show, athletes of the year in 30 state-sanctioned sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Details on how additional tickets can be obtained will be available soon.

For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit its website and follow it on Facebook.

The Volusia-Flagler High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.

This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department through our School Spirit Contest. Vote here until April 1: Show Your School Spirit (gannettcontests.com).

Let’s meet the team.

Nominees

David Bahoque, Halifax: The senior muscled his way to a double-double average (18 points, 10 rebounds) while adding three blocks per game for the Knights, who made the FHSAA playoffs.

Jameer Clark, Flagler Palm Coast: Clark capped his high school career by tallying 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a senior.

Flagler Palm Coast's Jameer Clark (11) drives into the lane against Halifax , Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase Tournament at Spruce Creek High School.
Flagler Palm Coast's Jameer Clark (11) drives into the lane against Halifax , Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase Tournament at Spruce Creek High School.

Jaheem Curry, Deltona: The sophomore finished as the leading scorer on a playoff squad. His season stat line: 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

John Dunlap, Seabreeze: The senior offered 18.1 points and 7.6 assists per game in his final high school go-round.

Seabreeze's John Dunlap (13) takes a shot against Deltona, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 in Ormond Beach.
Seabreeze's John Dunlap (13) takes a shot against Deltona, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 in Ormond Beach.

Rya’sir Jefferson, Matanzas: The junior scored 18.9 points per game while turning in 4.8 assists and 2.7 steals.

Nathan Kirk, Mainland: After a standout freshman campaign, Kirk took his game to another level as a sophomore — 17.3 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He led the state semifinalist Bucs in scoring during each round of the playoffs.

Mainland's Nathan Kirk (1) dribbles past St. Augustine's Julian Quintero (12) during the District 4-5A finals at Seabreeze High School on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.
Mainland's Nathan Kirk (1) dribbles past St. Augustine's Julian Quintero (12) during the District 4-5A finals at Seabreeze High School on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

Elijah Laird, Pine Ridge: In his final high school season, Laird tallied 18.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Jayden McCoy, First Baptist Christian: Just an eighth-grader, McCoy stuffed the stat sheet with 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

Lukas Parschauer, New Smyrna Beach: The senior was the Barracudas’ leading scorer and rebounder with 15.1 points and 11.6 boards per game. He also averaged 2.6 steals a contest.

New Smyrna Beach's Lukas Parschauer (10) shoots a jump shot over the arm of Mainland's DeAndre Newland (21) during the Five Star Conference Tournament finals at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
New Smyrna Beach's Lukas Parschauer (10) shoots a jump shot over the arm of Mainland's DeAndre Newland (21) during the Five Star Conference Tournament finals at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Jonathan Powell, Father Lopez: Powell was a walking bucket as a junior, leading the area in scoring by almost four points a game. He averaged 24.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Father Lopez's Jonathan Powell drives to the basket during a game with St. Joseph at Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
Father Lopez's Jonathan Powell drives to the basket during a game with St. Joseph at Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

Henry Robinson Jr., Matanzas: As the area’s top freshman, Robinson Jr. burst onto the high school scene with 20.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He also averaged 2 steals and 2.9 blocks.

Matanzas' Henry Robinson Jr. (5) goes for a dunk during a game with Seabreeze at Seabreeze High School, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.
Matanzas' Henry Robinson Jr. (5) goes for a dunk during a game with Seabreeze at Seabreeze High School, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

Narayan Thomas, Mainland: The senior helped the Bucs to their second straight FHSAA semifinals with 13.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Mainland’s Narayan Thomas (3) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A boys basketball quarterfinals at Mainland High School on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Mainland’s Narayan Thomas (3) hangs on the rim after dunking the ball against Pine Forest during the Region 1-5A boys basketball quarterfinals at Mainland High School on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Other Athletes of Note

Aidon Amoah, University: The senior averaged a double-double (13 points, 10.8 rebounds) and also contributed 1.3 blocks.

Tehriq Crawford, Trinity Christian: The junior averaged 11.5 points and 6 assists while running the Eagles’ offense.

Trinity Christian's Tehriq Crawford (10) attempts a layup during a game with Warner Christian at Trinity Christian Academy, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
Trinity Christian's Tehriq Crawford (10) attempts a layup during a game with Warner Christian at Trinity Christian Academy, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Tola Dixon, Halifax: As a senior, Dixon did everything for the Knights. His averages: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.

Halifax's Tola Dixon (2) drives past Flagler Palm Coast's Jameer Clark (11), Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase Tournament at Spruce Creek High School.
Halifax's Tola Dixon (2) drives past Flagler Palm Coast's Jameer Clark (11), Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase Tournament at Spruce Creek High School.

Jabari Gill, Deltona: Gill enjoyed his best high school season as a senior, closing it with 12.4 points per game.

Tyler McKnight, Spruce Creek: Still just a sophomore, McKnight established himself as a leader on a young Hawks team. He provided 12.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

Spruce Creek’s Tyler McKnight (3) dribbles the ball down the court against Bridge to Independence during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase at Spruce Creek High School on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.
Spruce Creek’s Tyler McKnight (3) dribbles the ball down the court against Bridge to Independence during the Execute to Impact MLK Showcase at Spruce Creek High School on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

DeAndre Newland, Mainland: The 7-foot senior recorded averages of 8.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

Mainland's DeAndre Newland (21) hits a layup against Spruce Creek during a game at Spruce Creek High School, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.
Mainland's DeAndre Newland (21) hits a layup against Spruce Creek during a game at Spruce Creek High School, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.

Christian Nicholas, Warner Christian: During the Eagles’ first varsity season in five years, Nicholas led them in rebounds (8.1) and blocks (2) per game while tying for the top spot in points (13.1).

Keenan Plummer, Atlantic: The senior nearly averaged a double-double, ending up with 9.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.

Josh Reik, New Smyrna Beach: After transferring from Spruce Creek, the senior made an immediate impact for the Barracudas, with 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

New Smyrna Beach's Josh Reik (1) dribbles between two defenders during a game with Deltona at University High School in Orange City, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
New Smyrna Beach's Josh Reik (1) dribbles between two defenders during a game with Deltona at University High School in Orange City, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

Tariq Shaker, Matanzas: The senior put up 10.9 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists per game.

Jayden Strader, Trinity Christian: The freshman chipped in valuable minutes for the Eagles and gave 10 points and 8 rebounds per game.

James Thomas, Taylor: The sophomore filled the scorebook with 16.2 points per game. He also grabbed 4.5 rebounds.

Top Coach

Mainland head coach Joe Giddens cuts down the net and wears it after the Bucs beat Rickards in the Region 1-5A finals Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 at Mainland High School.
Mainland head coach Joe Giddens cuts down the net and wears it after the Bucs beat Rickards in the Region 1-5A finals Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 at Mainland High School.

Joe Giddens, Mainland: For the second consecutive year, Giddens piloted his Bucs to the 5A final four. They finished with a 22-7 record and Five Star Conference, district and regional titles.

Honorable Mention

Atlantic: Cris De La Pena, AJ Johnson, Trenton Miller, Mekhi Yan

DeLand: Jahvari Campbell, Robert Davis, Beegie Gordon

Deltona: Carlos Cerrud, Gabriel McPherson, Anthony Proenza, Ethaniel Velazquez-Rivera

Father Lopez: Cole Brower, Caden Keller, Jacob Lohman, Ian White

First Baptist Christian: Jamel Gurerrero, Derek Smith, Solomon Williams

Flagler Palm Coast: Thomonte Curry, Anthony Hampton, Caumarion Lang

Halifax: Michael Ortiz, Matthew Rodriguez, Cameron Sheffield

Mainland: Kade Manley, Seven Simmons

Matanzas: Alex Davis

New Smyrna Beach: Owen McLaughlin, Peter Phan

Pine Ridge: Travis Jackson, Jyles Newman, Canyon Powers

Seabreeze: Aiden Bailey, Mikey Steward

Spruce Creek: Cameron Oxendine, John Sanders, Miles Shine

Taylor: Nikko Dozier

Trinity Christian: Quentin Berry, Richaun Amaro

University: Ernie Centeno

Warner Christian: Ashton Flores, Benjamin Glenfield, Kayleb Goolsby, Kaden South

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler All-Area: Meet the 2023-24 Boys Basketball Team