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HomeTeam Hot Shot winners: Jordan Kabamba and Sydney Johnson

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published Dec. 15, 2015

Jordan Kabamba, Northeast

Northeast's boys basketball team has gone through a remarkable transformation this season.

After winning a combined eight games the past two years, the Vikings have already won four this season, including eye-opening ones against St. Petersburg city rivals Lakewood and Boca Ciega.

Kabamba has been the catalyst for the turnaround.

The 6-foot-4 senior center is averaging a team-high 15.1 points and 10 rebounds per game.

"We all just got better, including myself," Kabamba said.

Kabamba first started playing organized basketball as a freshman on Northeast's junior varsity. He moved up to varsity his sophomore season, averaging 2.0 points per game. Last year, he finished second on the team in points (8.4) and rebounds (5.9).

There was a core of returning players who were together for years. Still, Kabamba did not know if that would be enough to turn things around.

"I didn't think we would be much better at the beginning of the season," Kabamba said. "Then we started winning some games and our confidence just grew from there."

Kabamba played well last week, scoring 18 points each in wins against Boca Ciega and Osceola to help the Vikings climb to 4-5. He said he has no offers from college and is focused more on enjoying his final season of high school ball.

"I love basketball," Kabamba said. "I'm having fun with it. Whatever happens after this, happens. I just go out and play. I'm trying to make the most of my senior season.

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Sydney Johnson, Plant

Johnson is one of three players on the Panthers' roster who, on any given night, can take charge and lead the team in scoring. She showed that off last week, when she sank eight 3-pointers in a 26-point performance against Indian Rocks Christian.

But one of the best parts about Johnson, a sophomore who averages 11.4 points per game, is how she handles herself on the other side of the court, coach Carrie Mahon said.

Last year, Mahon said she bumped Johnson, then a freshman, up from JV just to play defense in the Class 8A, District 7 championship game. The Panthers beat Alonso 45-44 in that game.

"It was really just because Sydney, a 14-year-old kid, really came into the game and locked down the best offensive player in the district," Mahon said. "She's a great defender."

And that's something that has carried over to this season.

With Johnson's help, the Panthers have held opponents to an average of just 37.8 points per game, and only one opponent (Palm Harbor University) has scored more than 50. Alongside leading scorers Payton Paro (13.1 points) and Deja Turner (14.9 points), Johnson is also part of a trio of offense weapons that makes the Panthers a tough team to stop.

"I think what makes her so talented on the court is what makes her so talented off the court," Mahon said. "She's extremely intelligent, she's very easy going, and she knows no strangers. … I think the way she carries herself off the court carries over."

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Kelly Parsons, Times staff writer