PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Aaron Holmes, St. Petersburg Catholic COACH OF THE YEAR: Dan Wright, Lakewood
FIRST TEAM
JOSH SIMPSON, SR., 5-11, GUARD, WHARTON
Simpson led his team with 12.2 points and 4.8 assists per game and was the main cog for a squad that went 26-3 and reached a Class 5A region semifinal before losing. Was also perhaps Hillsborough County's best defensive player.
COACH TOMMY TONELLI: "He studies the opponents' strengths and weaknesses and prepares for those. Then he executes with intensity. It also doesn't hurt that he's quick and athletic."
CHASE BUSSEY, SR., 5-11, G, WESLEY CHAPEL
Pasco County's deadliest three-point shooter with unconscionable range, Bussey used that outside prowess to help his team make the playoffs after a 6-8 start. He led the county in scoring at 26.2 points per game and set school records for most points in a career (1,127) and game (48 against River Ridge). He also was one of the county's savviest decion-makers with 4.7 assists per game.
COACH DOUG GRESETH: "He's very dedicated, and he can create his own shot. That's his strong point. But he's also averaging five-six assists a game. That's a big job for him."
SEAN MORRISON, SR., 6-4, G, LAKEWOOD
The consummate team player, Morrison went from playing a key bench role on the Spartans' 2001-02 state champions to a starring role on the 2004-05 champs. At one time or another, Morrison, Pinellas County's most athletic player, played every position for the Spartans. He was most effective working off the wing but often was called on to bring the ball up court. He averaged a career-best 17.9 ppg, added seven rebounds and five assists while improving his shooting and free-throw percentages.
COACH DAN WRIGHT: "You can't just evaluate by looking at the scoring. You have to look at the total picture to see the 8-9 rebounds, 6-7 assists, 2-3 steals. You have to really understand the game to truly appreciate Sean's game. It may not seem like it during the game, but afterwards you say, "Wow, No.4 really hurt us."'
A.J. TYLER, JR., 6-9, F, PALM HARBOR U.
Tyler will be one of the most recruited players in the Tampa Bay area next season, especially after his standout junior season. Tyler had a breakthrough year, leading the Pinellas County Athletic Conference in scoring with 22 ppg. He also averaged more than 10 rebounds and was the center of attention for PHU, which had a young team. Tyler often brought the ball up the court, was the squad's best
shooter and inside force (67 blocks). In one game this season, he had 29 rebounds - most in Pinellas County since 1960.
COACH MIKE WALTERS: "The offense goes through (Tyler). Statistically, he is putting up the numbers we expected of him. What's really great, though, is the way A.J. has improved in other areas, like his leadership. He's really taken that role on this year and exceeded our expectations."
DARIUS HART, SR., 5-11, PG, CLEARWATER
Hart was the, well, heart of the Tornadoes, who exceeded all expectations this year by advancing to the Class 5A state championship game, where they lost to Dwyer. Hart was instrumental in the Tornaodes' playoff trip, scoring 24 points in a regional quarterfinal, then 44 in a semifinal against Fort Myers. For the season, Hart scored 15 ppg. His ball-handling, shooting and defense led Clearwater to its best season since 1981, when it last won state.
COACH JACK COIT: "Darius just has a knack for getting it done when we need it. He was the guy who stepped up in big games. Look at what he did against Fort Myers. That had to be the best performance, in that situation, that I've seen."
SECOND TEAM
Walter Howard, Jr., 6-5, F, Citrus.
James Devlin, Jr., G, Chamberlain
Mario Telfair, Sr., 6-5, F, Lakewood
Trevor Ferguson, Sr., 6-6, G, Oldsmar Christian
Deran Burns, Sr., 6-3, G, Pasco
Cruz Daniels, Sr., 6-10, Clearwater
HONORABLE MENTION
Admiral Farragut: Marreese Speights, Lewis Lampley, Thomas Atherton; Alonso: Johnathan Ball ; Blake: Gilet Chevalier ; Boca Ciega: Tracye Macon, Enoris Sly; Brandon: Aubrey Brown ; Zaronn Cann; Citrus: Donnie Ross, R.J. Cobb; Clearwater: Trevor Lee; Clearwater Central Catholic: Justin Morin; Crystal River: J.C. Livingston SR.; Gaither: Chris Bonner ; Gibbs: Naason Borden; Gulf: Anthony Jackson, Travis Thomas; Jesuit: Thomas Kaiser; Lakewood: Dion Burton, Ed Nixon; Land O'Lakes: Caz Piurowski; Largo: Ben O'Donnell, Nate Johnson; Lecanto: Drew Zimbro, Mychal Nichols; Mitchell: Mitch Foster; Oldsmar Christian: David Minaya; Pasco: Darrell Davis; Ridgewood: Brian Hoben; River Ridge: Alex Pasquine; Robinson: Derek Scanlon; St. Petersburg: Marquis Ford, Brian Blakely; St. Petersburg Catholic: Billy Tapp; Seminole: Devin Collins; Seven Rivers Christian: Cory Ludwick; Sickles: David Senyak; Tampa Prep: Johnny Taveras. Wharton: Nate Erickson, Darryl Richardson; Zephyrhills: Brett Ross.
