This is the second of five stories unveiling the 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area Basketball Teams. Click here to read about the small school girls team.
With Williston winning the back-to-back state boys basketball championships in 2023 and 2024, few people were paying attention to the Hawthorne Hornets.
Hawthorne responded this winter, knocking off Williston in the region final on the way to their second state title since 2020.
The Hornets have two players named to the first team of the 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area boys basketball small school team (Rural-2A).
Senior guard Dacarion Debose and senior guard/forward Chasion Wilson are the two first team representatives from the Hornets, who finished 20-3. Two of their three losses came to Williston, including the district championship game and on the road in February. But Hawthorne got its revenge in the region final, hitting two free throws in the final second to beat the Red Devils and advance back to Lakeland.
Wilson, who transferred to Hawthorne for his senior season, led the Hornets with 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while tying Debose with 2.7 steals.
“Chaison Wilson was a key component in our stretch run to winning the championship, leading us in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots,” Hawthorne coach Greg Bowie said. “He turned his level of play up a notch once district play began, consistently rising to the occasion in high-pressure moments.
“A big guard who can handle the ball and has impressive body control, Chaison plays with a physical edge that sets the tone on both ends of the floor. With the ability to score from all three levels and a natural feel for the game, he became a tough matchup for any opponent. His versatility, consistency and elevated play down the stretch were crucial to our success.”
Debose was second on Hawthorne in scoring with 12.6 per game and led the Hornets in assists (3.0) and steals (2.7).
“Dacarion Debose is one of the fastest players I’ve ever coached with the ball in his hands,” Bowie said. “His ability to push the ball up the floor in transition made it difficult for opposing teams to match up, and he thrived in those fast-paced situations. In the halfcourt, he consistently blew by defenders, getting deep into the paint where he could either finish with athleticism at the rim or kick it out to an open shooter. His speed and quickness also made him a standout on-ball defender, capable of pressuring opposing guards and disrupting offensive flow.
Joining the two Hawthorne players on the first team is Willison junior guard De’Andre Harvey. Harvey also was one of the leading scorers in the area, averaging 22.9 points per game and also leading Williston with 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per contest.
“De’Andre Harvey has come through our program and has turned into one of the best players in the state at all levels,” Williston coach Jim Ervin said. “On and off the court, De’Andre’s an exceptional young man.”
Fort White advanced to its first Rural state semifinal after winning at Hilliard in the region final. The Indians (15-10) lost in the state semifinal to Crossroad Academy (Quincy).
Senior forward Tafari Moe represents Fort White on the first team. Moe led the Indians with 18.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
“Tafari Moe has been a program-changing force,” Fort White coach Elven Sheppard said. “His exceptional will to win and competitive drive fueled four years as a starter at Fort White. Consistently developing his game, he excelled defensively against top opponents and scored at all three levels. Moe capped his career with over 1,000 points, a district championship and a historic final four appearance.”
The final member of the first team is senior forward/center Reggie Adams of Chiefland. The Indians missed out on a state playoff appearance, but Adams led them with 16.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
“Reggie has been on the varsity for four years,” Chiefland coach Adam Boyd said. “This season, he took on a greater leadership role while leading us in scoring and rebounding.”
Williston senior guard Xavier Kirkpatrick leads the second team. Kirkpatrick was second on the team in scoring with 12.6 per game, in rebounds at 4.5 per game, and in steals (1.3) while leading the Red Devils in assists (3.5).
“Xavier Kirkpatrick emerged as our leader this year,” Ervin said. “He has a great future ahead of him in the game of basketball and will obviously do great things in life.”
Joining Kirkpatrick on the second team is Fort White junior guard Jayden Jackson. Jackson was second on the Indians in scoring at 16.4 per game and led Fort White in assists (2.2) and steals (1.6).
“Jayden Jackson is a special, program-altering talent,” Sheppard said. “Starting at point guard since eighth grade, his exciting and dynamic game has continually evolved. A force attacking the rim with an improving jump shot, Jackson surpassed 1,000 career points as a junior and was pivotal in Fort White’s district championship and first-ever final four run.”
Trenton, who finished 15-12 and lost a tough 57-54 decision at Hilliard in the Rural Classification region semifinals, is represented on the second team by sophomore guard Mason VunCannon. VunCannon led the Tigers in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game, and led Trenton in steals (1.8) while finishing second in rebounding (6.7) and assists (3.0).
“Mason is the consummate team player who is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win games,” Trenton coach Eric Bullis said. “This includes scoring, rebounding, assisting on teammates’ baskets, and playing good individual and team defense.
“Additionally, he always celebrates his teammates’ success as much as he does his own and also sets a great example for everyone in our program in regards to effort and attitude. Off the court, he is a 4.0+ GPA student who excels in FFA and is also a high-level baseball player for our top 5-ranked baseball team. It is a joy coaching him and I look forward to seeing his continued growth the next two seasons.”
Rounding out the small school All Area second team is Union County senior guard/forward Gavin Jenkins and Bronson junior forward/center Justice Phillips.
Union County missed out on the state playoffs despite a 14-4 record after losing to Trenton by three points in the district tournament. Jenkins led the Tigers with 17.8 points per game and 3.5 steals per contest and was second in rebounds (4.8).
Bronson missed the postseason as well with a 12-9 record, but Phillips put up some eye-popping numbers, leading the area in scoring with 26.7 points per game while adding 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
BOYS – SMALL SCHOOL (Rural-2A) (1st Team)
G – De’Andre Harvey, Williston (JR)
G – Dacarion Debose, Hawthorne (SR)
G/F – Chasion Wilson, Hawthorne (SR)
F – Tafari Moe, Fort White (SR)
F/C – Reggie Adams, Chiefland (JR)
BOYS – SMALL SCHOOL (Rural-2A) (2nd Team)
G – Jayden Jackson, Fort White (JR)
G – Mason VunCannon, Trenton (SO)
G – Xavier Kirkpatrick, Williston (SR)
G/F – Gavin Jenkins, Union County (SR)
F/C – Justice Phillips, Bronson (JR)
Honorable mention:
Bell – Sheltin Varnon (SR)
Branford – Anthony Washington (JR), Braiden North (SR), Anthony Bailey (JR)
Bronson – Talon Harris (JR), Landon Martensen (JR)
Chiefland – Mike Goodale (SR), Jamarion White (SR)
Fort White – Kendal Henry (SR)
Hawthorne – Leland Johnson (SR), Kelvin Baker (SR)
Oak Hall – Gavin Jones (SR)
P.K. Yonge – Jantzen Griffin (SR)
St. Francis Catholic Academy – William Collett (SR), Liam Banks (JR), Brett Thomas (JR)
Trenton – Nathan Ridgell (JR), Tyler Bullis (SO)
Union County (Lake Butler) – Jeppson Dang (JR), Tyrese Chandler (FR)
Williston – Joel Washington (SR), Adam Henderson (SR)
Great group of players. However, a player from every school in Levy County gets a mention except for Cedar Key. I know we are a long way out here, but you missed a really good player whose numbers would stack up against anyone’s on the list.