Boys Prep of the Week: Andrew Gilbert, Barron Collier basketball

When Barron Collier needed him, Andrew Gilbert came through.

Gilbert helped his Cougars advance in the 6A regional semifinals with a 59-46 win against South Fort Myers, even though star player Deion Clark was not on his best game.

"Deion is a big part of this team and even if he isn't scoring he is helping out on rebounds and on defense," Gilbert said. "He was having trouble scoring to start the game so I tried to step up and help out the team."

Gilbert scored 10 points while dishing out seven assists and making five steals while showing that the Cougars can be a well-rounded offensive team as it heads deeper into the playoffs.

"Other teams think that we are just one player and that we lean on Deion," Gilbert said. "We all play as a team. Our coaches have emphasized all year that we need to have more scoring from the rest of us. I finally accepted that role and I've tried to do more and I look to get everyone else involved more, too."

"That's what I've been preaching all season — someone other than Deion helping us out," Cougars coach Carlos Clark said after the game on Thursday.

Gilbert understands that next season, after Clark's graduation, he will be asked to do even more.

"Next year we are going to be losing a lot of the offense," Gilbert said. "We will need someone to score for us and I think I can do that."

ALSO CONSIDERED:

Deion Clark, Barron Collier basketball — Scored 23 of his game-high 27 points in the second half of a regional quarterfinal win over South Fort Myers.

Mitch Haan, Gulf Coast wrestling — Won the Class 3A heavyweight state title, just the third Gulf Coast wrestler to win a championship.

Brendan Sweeney, St. John Neumann tennis — Part-time track athlete won four matches combined between singles and doubles in two team victories.

Tanis Taylor, Barron Collier wrestling — The sophomore finished runner-up at 113 pounds at the Class 2A state finals