The 2025-26 boys basketball season in some ways was a repeat of the previous season. Victory Christian and Santa Fe Catholic advanced to the state tournament the previous season and both teams returned this year. Victory was state runner-up again, while Santa Fe lost in the state semifinals. Bartow, again, was one of the top teams, while Winter Haven was one of the most improved teams this season. Only one All-County, first-team selections was back this season, but three second-team selections moved up to first team this season. With five of the six first-team selections being seniors, there will be a new group of top players next year. Here are the top player from this past season.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Toby Lane
Santa Fe Catholic, Senior
Guard
Lake led Santa Fe Catholic to back-to-back final fours for the first time in school history, despite losing Tate Darner to graduation and Ethan Knox to transfer from last year’s team. Lane had his best individual season too. He averaged 16.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.4 steals. He shot 49% from the field overall and 44% from 3-point range.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve Fitzgerald
Victory Christian
Fitzgerald led Victory Christian back to the state tournament as the Storm matched their record and achievements of last season. The Storm finished 25-7 and won district and regional titles, then went on to finish state runner-up. In 10 seasons as Victory’s head coach, the Storm have compiled a 183-86 record.
FIRST TEAM
Ja’Kylen Crossley
Bartow, Senior
Forward
14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
Tucker Fox
Victory Christian, Senior
Guard
12.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.1 spg
Christian Fuller
Victory Christian, Junior
Guard
16.2 ppg, 3.4 apg
Jaden Lindsey
Auburndale, Senior
Guard
16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
MJ McCalla
Victory Christan, Senior
Forward
12.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
SECOND TEAM
Turel Berry
Discovery, Junior
Guard
Gavin Hall
Winter Haven, Senior
Guard
James Ratteree
Bartow, Sophomore
Guard
Trae Sams
McKeel, Freshman
Guard
Curtis Walton
Ridge Community, Senior
Guard
Tyson McElhaney
Lakeland, Sophomore
Guard
THIRD TEAM
Norris Birdsong
Winter Haven, Junior
Guard
Deion Drone
McKeel, Sophomore
Forward
Mekhi Guillaume
Frostproof, Senior
Guard
Derwyn Link
Bartow, Sophomore
Forward
Shannon McArthur
Santa Fe Catholic, Junior
Forward
Armani Morris
Lakeland, Freshman
Forward
Omari Russell
Fort Meade, Senior
Forward
HONORABLE MENTION
All Saints: G Josh Koch, G Landon Gall, F Asher Cook, G Jayden Watson.
Auburndale: F Jordan Gunter, G Derek Ramirez, F Zac Joseph, G Camren Sneed, Deshawn Johnson, F Jatwan Penick.
Bartow: F Syrus Sinfort, G Matthew Williams, G Kenny Cotton.
Davenport: Steven Achilles, Juelz Bermudez, King Rosario.
Discovery: G Jaucoby Torrence, F/G Darrick Downing, F Benjamin St. Remy.
Fort Meade: G Savior Swain, F Mekhi Berrien, C Cayden Clark.
Frostproof: G Carson Taylor, F AJ Young, C Jden Plain.
George Jenkins: G Brady Stephens, G Julian Sanchez, F Maso Pierpont.
Haines City: G Derek Robles F Marquis Foster, G Blake Herrington.
Kathleen: G Rashard Kelly, F Jayshaun Frederick.
Lake Gibson: F/G Cameron Cottingham, G Auree Lewis.
Lake Region: G Erik Kosinski, G Kaiden Martin.
Lake Wales: G Jaelen Randall, G Antwan Rodriguez, F Yovanni Almonte, C Bradley Auguste.
Lakeland: F Corey Swanson, Dominic Harris-Payne, Wesley Vanzant, Jaxson Russell, Deonte Feidler, Caleb Harris.
Lakeland Christian: G Joseph Donohue, G DJ Howard, F Eli Collins.
McKeel: F Jackson Grimm, F Jamal Whyte, G Marshawn Hilery, F Lucas Burgess.
Mulberry: G Gavin Wageman.
Ridge Community: F Zach Joseph, G KaDarius McCray, G Amare Walker.
Santa Fe Catholic: G Urijah Newkirk, F Charlie Heddon, F Devin Harris, G Brad Webb, G Abbot Nicolaus.
Tenoroc: Jordan Wheeler, Kamauri Johnson, Trent Harper.
Victory Christian: F Thok Gol, PG Miles Morrell, F FJ Ogbeide, F Arik Ring, G Chris Bernard.
Winter Haven: G Corey Bailey Jr., F Na’Qualen Gunter, F Tyler Thelus, G Jordan Hanrahan, G Jahren Wilson.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet The Ledger’s 2025-26 All-County Boys Basketball Team
Reporting by Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
