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Bryant on fire as Knights thrash FIHS, OPHS

Randy Lefko
Posted 12/8/16

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High senior shooting guard Jonathan Bryant blasted for games of 28 and 16 points, respectively, as the Knights thumped Fleming Island and Orange Park high schools in consecutive …

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Bryant on fire as Knights thrash FIHS, OPHS


Posted

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High senior shooting guard Jonathan Bryant blasted for games of 28 and 16 points, respectively, as the Knights thumped Fleming Island and Orange Park high schools in consecutive games Thursday and Friday night at Oakleaf High School.

“I think he wants to build on his second team all state selection last year and his Clay Today player of the year,” said Oakleaf coach Jason Price. “He has a little chip on his shoulder and still thinks he has something to prove. I think he wants to leave a lasting legacy at Oakleaf.”

Oakleaf had opened up the 2016 with two setbacks; one the transfer of 6-foot-6 forward Nassir Little to Orlando Christian Prep, and, two, two losses in tournament play over the Christmas holiday. Oakleaf lost to Pensacola Washington and Bishop Kenny in the Andrew Jackson High Christmas tournament.

Having said that, don’t think Oakleaf coach Jason Price has lamented too long. With Little gone, freshman center Chantz Williams, a 6-foot-5 product, and senior Dominique Mitchell, a 6-foot-2 muscle forward, emerged in both games and, in Oakleaf’s first two regular season games; wins over Fleming Island and Orange Park.

“Chantz Williams opened up with a school record nine blocked shots against Fleming Island and Dominique hit for 11 points and 11 rebounds,” said Price. “That three-man front with Bryant has played really well. I’ve been very happy with the rebounding and defense so far.”

With the two losses, Bryant has been the trigger man for Price as one of the top players in north Florida, if not Florida, with his now very muscular 6-foot-3 torso and his soft jumpers capable out to the three point stripe.

“He has taken ownership of the team,” said Price. “And yes, he is in terrific shape. He has prepared his body for this year.”

Against Fleming Island, December 1, Bryant led all scorers with his first double double of the year; a 28 point scoring effort with a 15 rebound tab at the glass. Oakleaf won 67-52 in the district 4-8A contest.

District 4-8A

Oakleaf (3-2, 1-0)

Fleming Island (4-3, 1-1)

Buchholz (0-4, 0-1)

Bartram Trail (2-1, 0-0)

Creekside (4-0, 0-0)

Against Orange Park, December 2, Bryant came back with 16 points and eight rebounds to check in with a 52-43 non-district win over the spry Raiders’ attack. Oakleaf guard Deonte Sherwood also hit for 16 with two-three pointers. Jalen Oliver led the Raider scorers also with 16 points with two-three pointers.

In the Fleming Island game, with new coach Traavis Chandler putting the Golden Eagles on a fast and furious pace up and down the court trying to wear down the Oakleaf front line of Bryant, 6-foot-4 freshman Chantz Williams and 6-foot-2 senior forward Dominique Mitchell.

“I like what I see in our guys because they are not quitting,” said Chandler. “We’ll keep coaching them to keep the pressure on and the ball will bounce our way soon.”

Fleming Island’s new faces opened with a 17-14 first quarter lead with point guard Eric Collins, the Golden Eagles lead scorer at 14.7 points per game, scoring the first bucket of the night after both teams bantered about for the first four minutes of play. Fleming Island answered a three pointer from Oakleaf guard Jacari Cicero with senior guard Brandon Olsen driving into the heart of the Knights’ defense for two layups.

Near the end of the first quarter, Fleming Island guard Daniel Sanborn hit a three pointer to nail the 17-14 lead as the buzzer sounded.

From that point on, Bryant took over with an energetic attack at the glass and a three-pointer giving Oakleaf a 26-21 lead before Mitchell sunk a soft left hand three pointer from deep in the corner as the halftime buzzer sounded to leave the game at 34-23.

Fleming Island would inch closer with a third quarter surge behind drives from guard Christian Young and a slew of offensive rebounds from 6-foot-6 Daniel Sanborn (12.3 points per game) at center to close the gap to 40-36, but Oakleaf regrouped and turned the jets on to keep the gap. The Knights surged to a 54-42 lead at the break with Chandler getting tagged with a technical with six seconds on the clock.

Despite more offensive rebounding success, Fleming Island was unable to convert to baskets with three and four shots with Bryant taking advantage of the melee under the basket for quick getaways to the opposite end of the court and a 60-52 score with 2:35 left on the clock.

A slam dunk by Bryant upped the gap to 62-52 and Fleming Island kept pressing the offensive boards, but the ball would not fall as Oakleaf finished with a 67-52 win.

Fleming Island, now 4-3, traveled to First Coast High (3-2) and lost a thrilling 67-64 contest.