Chipola Takes Over #1 In State Poll Casey Mitchell Named Player of the Week-Dec. 11, 2008

By Joc Calloway

After defeating previously unbeaten and #1 Miami-Dade Saturday night in the finale of the Milton H. Johnson Panhandle Classic, Chipola College regained the top spot in the recently released state poll. After receiving 17 of 20 first place votes and 196 out of 200 total points, Chipola (12-1) looks to take on Genesis One Prep Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm at home before preparing for the Christmas break.
Also announced with the state rankings this week was the news of Indians’ Casey Mitchell being selected as Player of the Week for Region VIII. At last weekend’s Milton H. Johnson Panhandle Classic, Mitchell averaged 26.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals, leading the top-ranked Indians to three victories. After posting 17 points and five rebounds in the December 4 tune-up against IMG Academy, he put up bigger numbers in games against a pair of nationally-ranked opponents.
Against NJCAA No. 17 Brunswick on December 5, he scorched the nets for 34 points on 12-of-20 shooting, hit four of his eight three-point attempts and added six rebounds and four assists. In the highly-anticipated match-up with NJCAA No. 18 Miami Dade on December 6, he tallied 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. For the week, Mitchell shot 55.3 percent (21-of-38) from the floor, 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from the three-point line and 85.7 percent (12-of-14) from the foul line.