Vote now: Who was the best performer in the Metro vs. Florida Basketball Challenge?

It may be early in the 2023-24 boys basketball season, but the competition was red-hot during the four-day 13th annual Earl Graham Metro vs. Florida Challenge.

A total of 44 teams played 25 games during Thanksgiving week, with schools from the (Orlando) Metro Conference playing against other Florida schools at Lake Highland Prep and Apopka High School.

The field included six state semifinal teams and two state runners-up from last season. And, the talent didn’t disappoint as some games went down to the wire.

We took a look at the box scores from this year’s games and nominated 24 players for Best Performer in the Metro vs. Florida Challenge.

We ask you, the fan, to decide who was the best scorer in the Metro vs. Florida Challenge boys basketball tournament. Voting will conclude on Sunday, December 3rd at 11:59 p.m.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. The poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are the nominees:

Ethan Priest, Forward, Mount Dora Christian: The 6-foot-5 junior forward scored 18 points to lead the Bulldogs past Horizon (Winter Garden), 63-38, in a Day 1 game.

Brooks Harris, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Viera: Sophomore scored in double figures to lead the Brevard County school past Lake Nona, 69-58.

Nathan Kirk, Point Guard, Mainland (Daytona Beach): Sophomore had a big day with 18 points to lead the Bucs past Jones (Orlando), 72-33.

Michael Madueme, Small Forward, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando): Sophomore had 14 points and six rebounds in front of the home crowd to lead the Highlanders past Boone (Orlando), 43-30.

Cameron Codio, Point Guard. Bishop Moore (Orlando): The 6-2 senior scored 17 points to propel the Hornets past Freedom (Orlando), 66-61, in a tight Day 1 battle.

Fabien Joseph, Forward, Mount Dora High: Senior dropped 18 points to lead the Hurricanes past Lake Buena Vista, 50-27, in the final game on Day 1. Florida teams finished 6-0 vs the Metro Conference on Day 1.

Scott Verboncoeur, Small Forward/Power Forward The Master’s Academy (Oviedo): Big 6-foot-6 senior was a wild man on Day 2, recording 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a 84-66 victory against Timber Creek (Orlando).

Kaiden White, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Olympia (Orlando): The 6-4 senior recorded a big double-double (15 points, 12 assists) to lead the Metro Conference to its first victory, 52-43, against Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs).

Josiah Shackelford, Shooting Guard, Seminole (Sanford): The 6-3 senior exploded for 25 points to lead the Seminoles past Jones (Orlando), 87-48.

Isaiah Brown, Small Forward, Orlando Christian Prep: The 6-5 Florida-signee scored 27 points to propel the Warriors past Apopka, 58-39.

Jamier Jones, Guard, Oak Ridge (Orlando): The 6-6 junior IMG transfer and one of the top prospects in the country turned in a monster performance with 30 points and eight rebounds in a 85-64 win against Windermere Prep.

Jayveon Dale, Point Guard, Eustis: The talented senior transfer scored 13 points to push the Panthers past Wekiva, 55-54, in a tight battle on Day 2.

GianPaul Anderson, Point Guard, East River (Orlando): Junior dropped 26 points in a strong performance in a 72-36 victory against Trinity Prep (Winter Park).

Cameron Basden, Small Forward/Shooting Guard, Foundation Academy (Winter Garden): Senior recorded 13 points and 11 assists for a double-double in a 56-47 win against Lake Buena Vista.

Darius Livingston, Point Guard, Discovery (Lake Region): The junior ripped the nets for 31 points and added six steals in a 72-65 victory against Colonial (Orlando).

Rahean Edmonds, Shooting Guard, Evans (Orlando): Junior had 14 points to lead the Trojans past Bartow, 60-58, in a tight battle on Day 3.

Ta’veon Jones, Point Guard, Windermere: Senior pumped in 21 points to spark the Wolverines past Leesburg, 78-67.

James Nowells, Utility, Dr. Phillips (Orlando): Fantastic freshman dropped 20 points in a 70-64 victory against Lake Mary.

Kaileb Jernigan, Shooting Guard, West Orange (Winter Garden): Sophomore scored 20 points to power the Warriors past Central Florida Christian Academy, 73-59.

Trenten Wollmer, Small Forward, Oviedo: The 6-4 senior dropped 10 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 17 seconds left, to push the Lions past Ocoee, 61-60, in the Day 4 opener.

Mo Kamara, Power Forward/Small Forward/Center, University High (Orlando): The 6-foot-8 junior scored 18 points to lead the Cougars past Lake Minneola, 58-55.

Robert Gage, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, East River (Orlando): The 6-3 senior recorded nine points and 10 rebounds to lead the Falcons past Viera, 47-44.

Tristen Coates, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Winter Park: The 6-2 senior dropped 14 points to lead the Wildcats past Auburndale, 60-44.

Jermichael Johnson, Small Forward, Apopka: The 6-3 junior pumped in 18 points to lead the Blue Darters past Lake Region, 63-47.