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Tampa Bay Times' All-Tampa Bay boys basketball teams

 
Jeremy Oppenheimer, Zephyrhills senior, poses for a portrait on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Tampa Bay Times studio in downtown Tampa.
Jeremy Oppenheimer, Zephyrhills senior, poses for a portrait on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Tampa Bay Times studio in downtown Tampa.
Published April 3, 2016

Hillsborough County Player of the Year

F Kevin Knox, Jr., Tampa Catholic

After helping USA Basketball's under-16 team win a national title last summer, Knox continued on his meteoric rise, becoming the Class 4A state player of the year while leading the Crusaders to the state semifinals for the first time since 2011. The five-star recruit had the spotlight on him with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina coach Roy Williams flying down to watch him play. Knox was named MVP of the Aurora Classic and set the school record for points in a game with 53 in the district semifinals.

Final stats: Averaged 29.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Season highlight: In the region final against West Palm Beach Oxbridge, Knox scored seven of his team's final 18 points, including a putback with 10 seconds left to lift the Crusaders to a 59-58 win and a berth in the state semifinals.

What's next: Knox will continue playing for his travel team Each1Teach1 at tournaments and showcases. In June, Knox is going to Australia for the Adidas Uprising Training Camp session. He then heads to Colorado Springs, Colo., for tryouts with USA Basketball's under-17 team. He will whittle down his list of college offers to about 10 schools this summer, but he said he is in no rush to make a commitment.

Did you know? Knox was a two-sport athlete who gave up football to concentrate on basketball. He has 1,853 career points and is within range of breaking the school record of 2,162 set by teammate Thomas Dziagwa.

Pinellas County Player of the Year

G Darius Banks, Jr., St. Petersburg

A starter since his freshman season, Banks had perhaps the best performance of his career as a junior. On a team that had two starters transfer and had to battle through injuries during the regular season, Banks helped keep everything together with his steady play. In the state semifinals, Banks scored seven straight points in the final two minutes, including a 3-pointer that put his team ahead for good in a 71-65 victory over Tallahassee Lincoln. Banks finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds in leading the Green Devils to a state title game for the first time since 1933.

Final stats: Averaged 21 points and eight rebounds.

Season highlight: Banks said the most memorable moment came when the team played in MaxPreps' national tournament in California. The Green Devils went 1-3 but gained valuable experience playing against top-notch competition. St. Petersburg went on to win 18 of its final 20 games en route to reaching the state championship game. "I think that tournament was our turning point. It brought us all closer together."

What's next: Banks is on the same travel team (Each1Teach1) as Knox. Already a four-star recruit, Banks has seven offers and could get more. He said Murray State could offer soon and Princeton asked about his grade-point average and standardized test scores.

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Did you know? Banks said he is mostly quiet and reserved. "I don't really say too much. I just let my play speak for itself."

North Suncoast Player of the Year

G Jeremy Oppenheimer, Sr., Zephyrhills

The most prolific scorer on the North Suncoast, Oppenheimer put up at least 20 points in 23 of his team's 32 games and was never held below double digits. Once the postseason started, his scoring increased. He had 30 points in three of the final six games. But it was not just his scoring. Oppenheimer led the team in just about every statistic and helped the Bulldogs win a playoff game and reach the state semifinals for the first time since 1966. "We fell short of our goal to win the state title, but we accomplished so much this season," Oppenheimer said. "It was my first (semifinal) and something I'll always remember."

Final stats: Averaged 22.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.8 steals.

Season highlight: In the Class 5A, District 8 semifinal, Oppenheimer scored a career-high 39 points in a 71-52 win over rival Wesley Chapel and clinched the school's first district title since 1998. "We just had so many fans there and it was such a big performance for me in a game that meant a lot to the school and the community," he said.

What's next: Oppenheimer already has an offer from Southeastern, but is working on getting more. He had a workout with Saint Leo this week, but the school wants him to walk on with the possibility of getting a scholarship the following season. He also has interest from Eckerd, Embry-Riddle and Nova Southeastern.

Did you know? Oppenheimer said he is good in math and would like to become an accountant.

Coach of the year

Phil Price, Largo: Despite playing every game on the road while the school is going through a complete facelift, Price had perhaps his most memorable season. The longtime coach got his 400th career victory and led the Packers to their first state title game appearance.

First team

G Serrel Smith, So., St. Petersburg: The point guard directed a high-scoring offense, averaging 17 points and seven assists on a team that had to get through some injuries to reach the Class 7A state title game.

G Dakarai Allen, Sr., Largo: The football star, who has signed with South Dakota, also stood out on the court, averaging 17.3 points per game while leading the Packers to their first state title game.

G Thomas Dziagwa, Sr., Tampa Catholic: The Oklahoma State signee averaged 22.5 points and set the school's career record for points (2,162).

F Sheldon Odunna, Sr., Freedom: Averaged a team-high 15.5 points per game and led the Patriots on a remarkable postseason run in which they overcame large deficits to beat Sickles in the district final and Lakeland in the region quarterfinals.

G Tyson Ward, Sr., Tampa Prep: The North Dakota State signee averaged a team-high 16.9 points and led a Terrapins squad that battled through injuries to an eighth straight region final.

Second team

G Travis Bianco, Sr., St. Petersburg

G Stevie Darst, Jr., Jesuit

G David Jones, Sr., Leto

G DJ Johnson, Sr., Gibbs

F Marquez Walls, Sr., Gibbs

Third team

F Bryce Beamer, Jr., Sickles

F Kaleeyl Findlay, Jr., Berkeley Prep

F Jordan Kabamba, Sr., Northeast

F Glenn Miller, Sr., St. Petersburg

F Derek Webster, Jr., Seffner Christian

Honorable mention

Anclote: Marquez Cooper; Bloomingdale: Drew Bethoney; Calvary Christian: Paxton Wilson; Clearwater: Ryan Ierna; Central: Brandyn Smith; East Lake: Chad Kellmann; Hudson: Peyton Sestok; Jesuit: DJ Snyder; Mitchell: Alec Sherman; Nature Coast: Nick Crima, Kaine McColley; Ridgewood: Ty Quiroz; Wesley Chapel: Reggie Jennings, Theo Williams; Wiregrass Ranch: Devin Wilson.