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MENS BASKETBALL
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2011 Suncoast Conference Champions
Back Row: Davon Usher, Rayshon Mack, Robert Gilchrist, Ante Gospic, Jamaal James, Jake Hodges
Front Row: Sidney Sanders, Curshawn Banks, Jarrel Joye, Jarrod Denard, Deon Murvin, Kelvin Daniels
The Vikings won the Suncoast Conference with a (7-2) record and finished with a three game advantage over the second place team. The Vikings, who have now won three of the last four conference titles, and five of the last nine, proved the old adage that "defense wins championships". Their defense led the conference, allowing just 62.2ppg, nearly 5ppg better than the next best team. Polk State College showed well defensively most of the year finishing second in the FCCAA state statistics.
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Gospic Is a Saint
  
Polk State forward Ante Gospic signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Flagler College Saints Basketball program. The 6'8" forward from Croatia decided on Tuesday (May 17th) to stay in Florida and continue his college career. Gospic is a tough competitor and skilled forward who has the ability to play down on the block and also step out on the perimeter to make a play. He was a starter all season for the Vikings and helped lead them to the 2011 Suncoast Conference Championship.
Hodges Inks with Southeastern
Jake Hodges, a 6'4" wing has signed to play with Southeastern University. Hodges, an All-Hillsborough County performer as a senior at Newsome High School in nearby Lithia, FL was a Jack-of-all-Trades as a freshman at Polk State. He saw action at three different positions throuout the season for the Vikings. Hodges, a very good shooter and physical defender, will have three years of eligibility remaining for the Fire.
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POLK SIGNS TWO MORE TO COMPLETE THE 2011 RECRUITING CLASS
 Jonny Ocasio, a 6'7" wing from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, FL completes the 2011 recruiting class. The Queens, NY native attended Charlotte High after his family relocated to Florida where he was a Southwest Florida Region All-Star before enjoying a tremendous prep season last year at Impact Academy in Sarasota, FL.
SWFLHoops.com says..."Jonny is a Top 10 talent in SW Florida. He shows the ability to both score and rebound in bunches...although playing many parts on his team. One part he plays is giving them more balance inside offensively and on the boards. Although asked to fill that role, Ocasio can step out and hit shots, put the ball on the floor and run in transition, but he is at his best when within 15 feet and facing up to the basket. When he lets the game come to him and doesn't force it, he is a very effective weapon on the offensive end of the court." Ocasio used his year at Impact Academy to his advantage adding stregth to his still growing frame and extending his shooting range out to the 3pt arc. His length allows him to be a defensive pest and contest shots on the perimeter and crash the boards to gather rebounds. He will be a valued multi position Division I prospect.
Picture Courtesy of Tom O'Neill Photography
Danny Alston a 6'2" guard from First Coast High School in Jacksonville was named  First Team All-Region and selected to the Class 6A All-State Team following a outstanding Senior season.
Sourcehoopscom says…."Alston does much of his damage from beyond the arc but also does a good job knocking down jumpers off the bounce, and scoring in transition. His ability to attack the rim pays off, as he is an excellent free-throw shooter. At 6’2" he may be a bit undersized at the wing. However, Alston’s ability to score should at least provide him an opportunity at the next level." This season as a senior he averaged 20.3 ppg 5.5 rbs 2.3 ast and 2.9 stls. He shot an outstanding (49-94)52% from beyond the arc and (127-160) 79% from the free-throw line.
Follow these links to see Danny in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENjYrzWct4c&feature=related
http://www.highschoolsports.net/local/Jacksonville/Bleachers/?bctid=740852170001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8f__bg6ITc&feature=related
POLK STATE COLLEGE SIGNS THREE TO BULK UP THE ROSTER
 Del'Javon "Ralph" Simmons a 5'10" guard from Burke HS in Charleston, SC was a two-sport star in high school. He was named Region Player of the Year for football and collected three all-state selection in basketball. He helped lead the basketball team to a three year record of 73-8.
ESPN says about him "A strong point guard that is always in attack mode. He puts his defender on their heels and is a great finisher around the basket, usually with contact. Simmons pushes the ball in the break and has blow by speed. Although he is not a 3 pt. shooter he keeps them honest with a knock down 15' pull up. He is an outstanding leader....he is a powerful point guard that uses his physical body to shield defenders from the ball and draw contact. Above average vision makes him dangerous in transition as with his physical stature does a good job of finishing at the basket. He's an above average defender that has better than expected lateral movement and is capable of guarding bigger guards and not being knocked around."
Ismaila Dauda is a 6'9 forward from Grandview Prep in Boca Raton, FL where he helped lead the Pride to the FHSAA 1A state championship game.
ESPN describes him.... "Dauda is an intriguing 5-man for the high-major level. He is well put together and has ideal length. He uses his powerful frame to establish position in the paint area where he displays his solid drop step move. His soft hands allow him to snag rebounds in his area and he has a high motor. Dauda is still quite raw on  the offensive end, but defensively he recovers quickly in transition and is one of the better shot blockers in his class. He is a tenacious rebounder who pursues balls out of his area. He has the rare skill of going after balls with two hands off the rim. Ismaila is a fierce competitor who runs the floor every possession while challenging every shot in the paint. He showed his athleticism several times while tip dunking balls out of transition. He has very good hands for a post player of his size who can catch in transition and finish above the rim. He does an excellent job of posting hard and asking for the ball at all time.
Ismaila is a true center who runs the floor very well for a young big man…He possesses good touch and good hands. He is a physical post player that plays hard and gets the job done. Dauda attacks the offensive glass, refuses to be blocked out and can grab rebounds out of his area. In the post, he uses fakes to create angles and score around his defender or uses the two-dribble drop step to his left with a right-handed jump hook. He can also knock down a 15-foot jumper and run the floor in transition, where he is able to catch the ball on the move and finish with a one-handed dunk. Defensively….he is a great positional defender who can wall off offensive players."
See link below for Dauda Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEfdARXH9gs
The Third player the Vikings signed early is another big man, 6'8" Zuberi Floyd from Hallandale High School outside of Ft. Lauderdale. Zuberi is a young (still just 17) post man with good skills around the basket. Floyd, who led his team in points, rebounds, and blocks, was selected as a Broward County All-Star this season.
(no pic available)
Floridahoopsrecruits,com says this about Zuberi...."Zuberi Floyd was the best rebounder at the Battle for the Rankings camp. Zuberi is an under the radar big man with a lot of upside. Floyd showed off his solid athleticism with a few dunks, and did a great job of running the floor for easy buckets. Zuberi even showed off some leadership cheering his teammates on from the bench while resting, and always being positive. Floyd has very fundamental moves in the post, with the ability to score in bunches. He really has a knack for rebounding the ball, and a habit for always being around the basket in a position to come up with the rebound. Floyd, a JUCO prospect, certainly has the ability to be a division 1 steal in the future. The key word with Zuberi is potential, and he certainly has a lot of it. We look forward to seeing his certain success in the future."
Sanders Named First Team All-State
Sidney Sanders was named to the District 8 (FL) First Team. Sanders was one of only four freshman named to the team.
COMPLETE LIST
VIKINGS PLAYERS REWARDED FOR SUCCESSFUL REGULAR SEASON
The Polk State College Vikings had a number of players honored with All-Conference selections this week by the FCCAA coaches vote. Freshman guard Sidney Sanders, sophomore forward Rayshon Mack and freshman forward Robert Gilchrist each earned a spot on the SUNCOAST CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM. Sophomore guard Curshawn Banks, freshman wing Davon Usher, sophomore forward Ante Gospic, and freshman guard Jarrell Joye all were recognized as SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE and freshman guard Deon Murvin was selected as HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CONFERENCE.
SANDERS #23 GILCHRIST #14 MACK #5
  
BANKS #11 USHER #4 GOSPIC #1 JOYE #2 MURVIN #22
    
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POLK STATE TV - SPORTS RECAP
The Men's Basketball Green-Out Game coverage begins at (1:30) mark of the video.
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