Team: Providence Stallions

District 6

2008-09 Record: 27-2

Season Accomplishments: Finished the regular season 25-0 with a #1 final ranking in the state of Florida (2A), Defeated ACDS  twice in the regular season before losing twice to them (once in the District Championship and once in the Regional Semifinals).

“Jim Martin, Providence Head Coach, had this to say about his team: “This year’s team is by far the most athletic team I have ever coached. We are talented at every position on the floor and we have kids that believe in playing hard every play. Hopefully we can set the tone with our defense and then our offense will follow suit. With our schedule, we have to come ready to play, and I think these kids are up for the challenge! Our strength’s are senior leadership and size. Alex, Stacey, and Patric are all familiar with each other through the AAU circuit and will do a great job at leading this team to where they want to get. All three have been three year starters and have played high level basketball throughout their high school careers. Playing a lot of games over the summer has done great things for this group. We will look to push and pressure all over the court, but we also have the discipline to run sets if needed. They are an extremely athletic team.  With Martin, Young, and Poole, it could be one of the better front lines in North Florida. Our weaknesses are staying sound defensively. Being athletic is great, but they have a tendency to try and make the big play and gamble. We also struggled at times with free throw shooting during the summer and we tend to over think the game at times as well.”

The Stallions are one of the favorites to win the 2A state championship this season. After finishing 27-2, including 25-0 in the regular season, the Stallions have added two high major transfers in Patric Young and Stacey Poole. Young is a 6’9 senior center, who is committed to Florida, and averaged 12ppg, 9rpg and 5bpg last season at Paxon. Poole, a 6’5 senior guard who committed to Kentucky, averaged 17ppg last season at Andrew Jackson. They have also added Solomon Poole, a highly touted 5’11 freshman guard.

Coach Jim Martin had this to say about his key newcomers. - “Patric Young is a strong, athletic center. He is a great defender and loves to run the floor. He sets the tone for our team on both ends. He is one of the most dominant players in 2A and a top 25 player in the country. Stacey Poole is super athletic and great at attacking the basket. He believes he can get by anyone. His defense is improving and he has become a great on ball defender he is also a top 25 player in the country. Solomon Poole is the younger brother of Stacey Poole, and he is only a freshman. He has a great body and is super athletic, and is maybe the quickest kid we have. He has great range and loves physical play.”

Providence also returns three starters in Alex Bodney, Will Cummings and Wayne Martin, and one key reserve in Tyler Martin. Alex Bodney is a 4 year starter for the Stallions. He is a 6’1 senior guard who committed to Eckerd University and averaged 8ppg and 3apg last season. Will Cummings is a 6’0 junior guard who averaged 9ppg and Wayne Martin is a 6’7 junior forward who averaged 12ppg, 7rpg and 4bpg last season. Tyler Martin is a 6’3 sophomore guard who averaged 9ppg and shot 45% from the three point line as a freshman.

When asked to comment about his returning players, Coach Jim Martin had this to say about his team: “Wayne Martin is long and athletic. He has the ability to play inside and out, which causes match up problems. He is a great rebounder and shot blocker.  Alex Bodney could be our best defender. He is relentless on the defensive end and is the heart of our team. He has a great IQ and thinks the game better than anyone on our team. He is also a great 3 pt shooter and deceptively athletic. Open shots will come because of attention Patric, Stacey, and Wayne get. Will Cummings has really improved in the off season and has become a great defender and can create his own shot. He is an athletic guard who is super quick. He has improved and gotten stronger and loves to attack the basket. He has made improvements each year while at Providence and will play a key part on this year’s team. Tyler Martin had a great freshman season, and we will need him to be a consistent outside threat. He might be the best shooter on the team and has unlimited range. He has gotten stronger in the off season and will see plenty of time this season. Matt Flakus is an athletic guard who loves to run and rebound. Christian Jackson is an undersized post who can play inside and out. He is a scrappy player who finishes tough shots. Kade Bell is the QB of the football team who can shoot and create his own shot and make great passes. Matt Santoni is a great defender who is tough and loves physical play. He is also a great leader at the point. Nate Byrum is a football player who will back up at the center and forward spots. He is also a good shooter. Jacob Williams is a good role player and plays hard.”

Providence has a loaded schedule this year, including key games against Oldsmar Christian at Montverde, Dr. Krop at the City of Palms, Jackson High School at Edward Waters College, and of course the great cross town rivalry game with Arlington Country Day School at UNF. Tournaments include the Kruel Classic in Ft. Lauderdale and the Kingdom of the Sun in Ocala. This schedule should prepare them for the playoffs in 2A.

This article was written by Ryan Pannone. Ryan is the head coach of Oldsmar Christian School in Oldsmar, FL. Ryan coaches the boys senior high basketball team and has been a coach since 2006. He is very involved in off season summer leagues, tournaments, and camps throughout the state of Florida.

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