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Abate drives Raiders to back-to-back titles

By Randy Lefko
Posted 3/28/18

ORANGE PARK – When Orange Park High coach Derek Kurnitsky strolled into Clay County a few years ago, his methods were well known; run, shoot, repeat quickly. In that philosophy, Kurnitsky knew …

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Abate drives Raiders to back-to-back titles


Posted

ORANGE PARK – When Orange Park High coach Derek Kurnitsky strolled into Clay County a few years ago, his methods were well known; run, shoot, repeat quickly.
In that philosophy, Kurnitsky knew he would need a leader on the court that could keep the pace up and also fire up the players around him to keep up.
For 2018, junior point guard John Abate was that guy. Also for his up front prowess, Abate is chosen as the Clay Today Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“He was the go-to guy that led by example both on and off the court,” said Kurnitsky. “With him in the game, we ran very efficiently on both ends. He had the stats to be our leader, but his leadership went far beyond numbers on paper.”
Abate, with a 13.6 points per game average and a slick five rebounds per game, was able to slice and dice from outside as well as sneak down low for offensive put ups after the Raider missile machines misfired.
“He was not afraid to be down low with the big guys,” said Kurnitsky. “You can’t teach that. That’s instinct.”
Abate was part of a three man attack front; with senior teammate Ty McBride, a Clay Today All County First Teamer, and sixth man Kadin Elmore, a sophomore, who were both equal to the task of taking over games from the perimeter at the same pace as Abate. Elmore, who landed numerous game-altering three pointers, was Kurnitsky’s man for breathers for his top two pilots on the floor.
“While John was the point man for our ‘chuck and duck’ offense, Ty was more a field general and enforcer,” said Kurnitsky. “Abate was a little slicker, but Ty was gritty on the floor.”
While Abate and McBride pushed the Raiders to back-to-back district 4-6A titles and an excruciating last second region playoff loss to eventual region finalist Ribault; Abate tying the game with a twisting layup and McBride canning a go-ahead three pointer, Oakleaf High senior guard Deonte Sherwood was more likely the county’s most exciting playmaker.
Sherwood, named to the Clay County All County First Team for a second year, upped his statistical production with numbers of 16.7 points per game with two assists and steals per game on top of 27 three pointers. Sherwood was the primary ballhandler for a Knights team that battled among the best teams in north Florida; namely nemesis Creekside and Bartram Trail, plus a pesky Fleming Island team.
“Deonte in my opinion was the best all around offensive weapon in the county,” said Oakleaf High coach Jason Price. “A two year captain and unquestioned leader vocally, emotionally, and physically for our team and program.”
For Fleming Island, the smooth shooting of junior guard Gianfranco Grafals was the barometer of the Golden Eagles first 18 win season in a while with coach Traavis Chandler again putting some mettle into the Golden Eagle lineup. Grafals was able to handle all aspects of the Golden Eagle attack including throwing down a couple of rim-rattling dunks along the way.
“He was an all-around stat-stuffer who was instrumental on a Fleming Island team who finished with 18 wins this season,” said Chandler. “The high flying junior scored in double digits in 17 games this season.”
On the back line of the Clay Today All County First Team, one of the the state’s premiere shot blockers; Oakleaf junior Chantz Williams, with 85 blocked shots, and Clay senior Ajay Belanger, provided lane protection for their respective teams combining height and athleticism. Williams, who opened a little more offensive threat near the end of the season, had an amazing 181 rebounds for coach Jason Price while Belanger put up 14.6 points per game with 7.3 rebounds for coach Jared Moses.
“Chantz and Deonte Sherwood are both awesome guys and both do some amazing things on the basketball court,” said Price. “At an elite level state wide, Chantz on defense is something special.”
Belanger’s numbers are slightly less due to his tasks as a state leading wide receiver for the Clay football team that had a deep playoff run, but his immediate impact on the Blue Devil’s midseason turnaround was evident with a one point overtime loss to Palatka (28-3 overall), who made the Class 6A Final Four before losing to Tallahassee Rickards, and a two point overtime loss to Oakleaf.
“Ajay is not only one of the best athletes I have had the privilege to coach, but he is one of the best people I have ever coached,” said Moses. “You are seeing the payoff of all of his hard work and commitment. I am truly honored to know him and coach him.”



Clay Today Boys Basketball Player of Year

John Abate, OPHS, Jr., 13.6 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.3 spg, 33 3ptrs, 8 BS

First Team
Gianfranco Grafals, FIHS, Jr, 14.1 ppg (Five 20-plus point games, High of 28), 7.7 rpg(Five 10-plus rebound games), 3.3 apg(18 w 3-plus assists; 4 w 5 assists), 2.3 spg (12 w 3-plus steals)
Deonte Sherwood, OHS, Sr., 16.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, 27 3ptrs
Chantz Williams, OHS, Soph., 5 ppg, 6 rpg (181 total), 1 apg, 1 spg, 85 BS
Ty McBride, OPHS, 11.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4 apg, 3 spg, 21 3ptrs
Ajay Belanger, CHS, Sr., 14.6 ppg. 7.3 rpg, 22 Block shots. 2 spg

Second Team
Devontai Crutch, OPHS, Sr., 10.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg (188 total), 1apg, 1spg, 18 BS
Sebastian Astor, FIHS, Soph., 12 ppg, 6apg, 3 spg, 30 3ptr
Josh Deleon, FIHS, Sr., 10.1ppg, 6 rpb, 2 spg, 47 3ptrs
Eddie Thomas, KHHS, Jr., 16.9 ppg, 12.5 rpg (Area leader)
Kenny Thomas, OHS, Jr., 12.6 ppg (Nine 20-plus point games), 5 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg, 12 3ptrs

Honorable Mention

FIHS: Zack Gagne, Sr., 23 3ptrs, 6ppg, 5 rpb,
OPHS: Kadin Elmore, Soph, 7.5 ppg, 39 3ptrs; Ken Monterola, Sr., 7.5 ppg, 3 rpg; Dialo Bryant, Jr., 3 apg, 1 spg
MHS: Edgard Enriquez, Soph, 13.6 ppg; Seth Hawes, Sr.
OHS: Kameron McKenie, Sr., 4 rpg, 28 BS; Siach Williams, Sr., 7.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg, 10 3ptrs; Willie Edwards, Sr., 3 spg, 3 apg
CHS: Raequan Williams, Sr.; Jordan Copeland, Sr..
KHHS: Ray Kirtley, Sr., 10.6 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 apg; Marco Flores, Sr., 6.0 ppg, 4 rpg, 3apg, 2spg; Sawyer Maxwell, Sr., 19 3ptrs
RHS: Ethan Weiskircher, Jr.
SJCDS: Micah Gouin, 16.1 ppg; Cade Walden, 13.2 ppg; Luke Mason, 81 Percent FT
FIHS: 18-13, 3-5
OPHS: 18-10, 5-0, District champions, lost 63-60 in region quarters to Ribault, lost in region finals
MHS: 2-24, 1-9
OHS: 15-9, 3-5, lost to Bartram Trail in district semifinals 35-29
CHS: 11-14, 4-4
KHHS: 13-12, 2-8
RHS: 1-25
SJCDS: 2-30, 0-6