After getting torched by him twice during the Panhandle Conference season, and seeing him numerous times before that, Northwest Florida State College men’s basketball coach Bruce Stewart went out of character when he praised Gulf Coast’s Marquis Gilstrap.
Stewart called Gilstrap, who will play at Iowa State next season, the best player in the state. The words came as a surprise to the junior college basketball community in Florida. Stewart doesn’t typically shower such regard on other players, and rarely on his own.
“You’ve got to give Gilstrap credit,” Stewart said following Gulf Coast’s 90-84 win in overtime on Saturday. “He stepped up and made a couple really big shots. Especially the one that tied the game and then in overtime he made a couple to put them out front. That’s why I think he’s the best player in the state.”
Through Saturday’s game, Gilstrap is averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
