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Hernando Today

Two Eagles tabbed all-state

BOYS BASKETBALL

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: June 30, 2009

Updated: 06/30/2009 06:17 pm

Dante Valentine

Isaiah Mason

This past season, the Springstead Eagles shattered all previous standards in program history, going 31-1 and finishing as the Class 4A state runners-up.

The top two players from that special squad, seniors Isaiah Mason and Dante Valentine, continue to reap the benefits of their sensational season.

On Tuesday, the 2008-09 all-state boys basketball teams were finally unveiled, as selected by Florida sportswriters and the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches.

The 4A first team featured Valentine, while Mason earned third-team honors.

"I think they earned it," Springstead Head Coach Pat Kelly said. "Dante was an impact player for us all three years he played. He had a tremendous impact for Springstead basketball.

"…(Mason) gave us a guy where we could spread the court and he could work behind the defense and finish around the rim. At times he changed the game with his shot-blocking ability."

Valentine, a 5-foot-10 third-year starter at point guard, finished as the school's all-time leader in points (1,245), assists (260) and steals (312), and at times carried the Eagles during their postseason run.

Appearing in all 32 games this season, he finished second to Mason on the team in scoring at 18.7 points per game, while leading in assists (4.7), steals (4.3) and three-pointers made (28).

He also averaged 4.8 rebounds, good for third behind Domnique Roberson and Mason.

"It means a lot," Valentine said of the selection. "Right now I'm trying to worry about school. I'm trying to get to the next level.

"…It says a lot (about the program); 31-1, that says a lot. We couldn't get that last one. But we worked hard. It's great to see it pay off."

Though he has not officially signed with any school, Valentine is leaning toward playing at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach.

Mason has already accepted a scholarship with Pasco-Hernando Community College. The 6-foot-5 forward/center played only one full season with the Eagles because of academic issues.

However, he made that one year count, posting averages of 19.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.7 steals.

Though his freakish athleticism was often displayed with highlight-reel dunks, he showed range as well connecting on 26 threes.

"It feels pretty good knowing we went all the way (to the state title game), the first time we've done that," Mason said. "It's big for the program. Now people around the county know what Springstead basketball is all about."

Though these two stars and Roberson, another all-state nominee, have graduated, they assured a whole new set of expectations for those that follow in their footsteps at the Mariner Boulevard campus.

"I think the whole year, for Springstead," Kelly said, "set the bar for other teams in the future to strive for and meet that measure."

2008-09 CLASS 4A ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
First team
Rakeem Buckles, Monsignor Pace (Miami), 6-9, Sr.
Nick Cortes, Lecanto, 5-10, Sr.
Erin Straughn, Pensacola, 6-5, Sr.
Dante Valentine, Springstead (Spring Hill), 5-10, Sr.
Ellis Young, Cocoa, 6-5, Sr.

Second team
Terrance Beasley, Pensacola, 6-5, Sr.
Stacey Poole, Andrew Jackson (Jacksonvillle), 6-4, Jr.
Darius Redding, Godby (Tallahassee), 6-5, Sr.
Julius Reid, Cocoa, 6-1, Sr.
Ralph Williams, Rockledge, 5-8, Jr.

Third team
David Jeune, Okeechobee, 6-7, Sr.
Ricky Lamb, Raines (Jacksonville), 6-6, Jr.
Isaiah Mason, Springstead (Spring Hill), 6-5, Sr.
Avery Moore, Rickards (Tallahassee), 5-10, Sr.
Jeremiah Samarrippas, Bartow, 5-9, Jr.

Fourth team
John McNair, West Port (Ocala), 6-0, Sr.
Lorenzo Sparrow, St. Augustine, 5-10, Sr.
Gerald Streeter, Haines City, 6-0, Sr.
Clive Walford, Glades Central, 6-6, Jr.
Patrick Young, Paxon (Jacksonville), 6-8, Jr.

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at 352-544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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