The 2019-2020 FSDB Basketball season has begun! Both the Boys and Girls Varsity teams have many experienced players returning. Several starters for both teams will undoubtedly lead to an exciting season.
The Girls team opens against the Crescent City Raiders on Tuesday, November 19. Both varsity teams will have their home opener on Thursday, November 21, 2019. The Girls team begins at 6:00 pm against the First Baptist Christian Crusaders; the Boys team will follow against the Beacon of Hope Eagles.
Both FSDB Basketball teams are eager for new challenges this year. In January, they will travel to two deaf basketball tournaments. The first one will be the Clerc Classic (January 16-18, 2020) hosted by the Indiana School for the Deaf. The following week, the teams will travel to the annual Mason-Dixon Basketball tournament (January 22-24, 2020). The girls will visit the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, while the boys will head to the Kentucky School for the Deaf. The FSDB Girls won the championship last year; they seek to repeat as champions.
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Girls Varsity Basketball
The FSDB Dragons consist of two freshmen, three sophomores, five juniors, and two seniors. From day one of practice, the girls have been working tremendously hard to improve their basketball skills.
The team is led by sophomore point guard Olivia Brown who averaged 11.7 points, 3.5 assists, 4.7 steals, and 4.3 rebounds per game last year. Freshman guard Oceana Brown (4.5 points, 4.38 steals, and 3.4 rebounds) and junior shooting guard Ja'Myra Harris (3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds) round out the backcourt. In the middle, sophomore center Lourdine Jordonne averaged 11.8 points and brought down close to 11 rebounds per game and junior power forward Keliah Williams averaged 3.0 points and 3.96 rebounds.
Returning players include seniors Samantha Suarez and Shylah Thomas, juniors Shanna Cooley and Taria Pellicer, and sophomore Taylor Burcham. New to the varsity team are freshmen Elise Essex and Emma Hancock.
In her third year as head coach, Joy Moers is excited about her team.
"The girls genuinely love the game," she said. "They have an excellent chance to make this a special season if they continue to believe in achieving their goals, both individually and as a team."
Boys Varsity Basketball
Just like the girls' team, the Dragons will be returning all of its letter winners from last season. The team is made up of five juniors, five sophomores, and two freshmen.
Juniors Walter Douglas, Matthew Guillou, Josiah Roberson, and Allen Rosales, and sophomore Luis Merced make up the starting lineup. Providing excellent depth will be junior Kyle Prinzler, sophomores Justin Cabrera, Marcus Guillou, Darith Lopez, and Andre Pellicer, and freshmen Will Devis and Jack Fuller.
This core group of players went undefeated in Middle School a few years ago and will look to build upon their 11-11 record from last season.
Eric LeFors is at the helm for his fifth season, along with assistant coach Dakota Kalis who is in his third with the Dragons.
"Last year, we had a young team and still placed third in the Mason-Dixon Tournament," said LeFors. "This year, we have aspirations to hoist the championship trophy!"
Come out and support both Dragons basketball teams this year!
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. For a campus tour or to inquire about eligibility for enrollment, contact FSDB Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information, visit www.fsdbk12.org