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Mack, Bruce highlight Patriots visit to Jax

Randy Lefko
Posted 1/12/17

JACKSONVILLE - Orange Park High School basketball fans remember basketball forward Shakarri Mack as a hard-driving, ball diving defender with a knack for tough rebounds while Clay High School …

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Mack, Bruce highlight Patriots visit to Jax


Posted

JACKSONVILLE - Orange Park High School basketball fans remember basketball forward Shakarri Mack as a hard-driving, ball diving defender with a knack for tough rebounds while Clay High School hoopsters were weekly entertained by the outstretched arms of 6-foot-9 center Phil Bruce.

The duo was back in action on Saturday as part of a Florida State College-Jacksonville vs. College of Central Florida basketball double header at the FSCJ campus in Jacksonville.

Mack, who was joined during recruitment with teammate Gianni Ruemmeley, a Clay Today Player of Year selection during her senior year also as a Raider, got plenty of playing time in Saturday’s 64-55 loss to the Blue Wave, but Ruemmeley was on the bench with a knee brace on after tearing her knee up during a practice a month or so ago.

“I remember going to watch them play in high school and knowing I wanted to try and get both of them,” said College of Central Florida coach Tommy Jones, now at 5-10. “They played hard and were smart kids. They both were starting at one point.”

Jones liked the hustle of both girls and admitted to trying to get Mack to play out front more as a guard during the start of the season. Ruemmeley immediately impacted the team with nearly 10 points per game, five rebounds and two assists until her season-ending injury.

“We were just finishing up a drill on boxing out when the knee snapped,” said Ruemmeley. “I wanted to finish up strong with the team, but it will have to wait until next year.”

Jones regretted that Ruemmeley’s injury came late in the season as a redshirt status could not be asserted.

“She won’t be able to recapture her season of eligibility with the injury which is a shame, but we’ll work on getting her strong again for next year,” said Jones. “I’m hurting now without her.”

As for Mack out front, Jones liked Mack’s energy, but felt she was more comfortable under the backboard.

“She’s been under the boards most of her basketball life, so it was a hard transition,” said Jones, who noted a 12-point, 14 rebound outing last week for Mack. “I got her back underneath and we use her bringing the ball up on offense every now and then. She’s tough underneath.”

Also in the gym, but as a fan, was the third senior member of that district title basketball squad at Orange Park as Maxine Knox was visiting from college in Chicago.

Ruemmeley talked about the time management of the college game as the biggest impact of playing at the next level.

“The hardest part was all the extra time you have to put on your schedule,” said Ruemmeley. “I learned to build a schedule. Mom’s not here to wake us up and make breakfast and all that.”

In the mens game, Florida State College mans three area athletes with Clay’s Bruce, Oakleaf High’s Christian Larson and Oakleaf Junior High and Oakleaf High School ace Nick Strawter, who later transferred to the Bolles School and won a state title, all on the Blue Wave roster.

Bruce, a starting center in 10 of 12 games this year, is in his second year at FSCJ and is averaging three points per game, but primarily a lane presence on defense and rebounder for coach Neil Orr. Bruce, with a high point game of 10 points and five rebounds in a win over Polk State. Bruce was looking forward to a possible graduation and transfer to play at a four year school after the season.

“It’s all part of the plan,” said Bruce, who had a monster dunk followed by a wicked blocked shot against Central Florida in first half action.

For Strawter, who returned to the lineup after a hairline fracture in his shinbone sidelined him, was used primarily as a passing guard across the middle of the court as FSCJ utilized a strong sideline to sideline offensive attack.

“First game back after the injury so I’m anxious to see what can happen,” said Strawter, who was coached at Oakleaf Junior High by John Conley, now at Orange Park High School.

For Larson, the youngest and newest of the trio, the precision of the college game has been his main learning point.

“I knew I came in with some of my own skills, but the preciseness at this level was something that I have had to learn about,” said Larson. “Speed wise and shooting wise, guys come in able to do that from anywhere, but to be able to pass and dribble and see things quickly and react is the bigger skill.”

Ironically, Central Florida will host Daytona State College (9-7) on January 11 where Oakleaf High graduate Destiny Arvinger, a freshman starting guard, is averaging 12.5 points per game with four assists and four rebounds. Arvinger has two 21-point games for the season.