In the 2001 Final Four, Mike joined Kyle Taylor as an important player off the bench. In the Semi-Final Game against Port St. Joe, Mike didn't score, but gave valuable defensive support. In the Championship Game, his timely three pointer after a steal energized the team and opened the door to a run that gave the team its first lead.

In 2001-02, Mike finally got the chance to show what he could do, and he did it. He led the team in scoring, in three point shots made, in steals, in assists and in deflections. His deflections total of 235 far exceeded the most ever previously recorded in a season by Benjamin player. He was the number two rebounder on the team as well as the team's defensive stopper, always drawing the assignment of defending the other team's best player. At the Bradenton Christian Christmas Tournament, Mike averaged over 20 points a game earning Tournament MVP and All Tournament Team honors as the team took home the championship trophy. He was named the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player and the Team's Most Outstanding Player. He was named to the Sun-Sentinel's All Palm Beach County First Team and the Palm Beach Post's All Palm Beach County Second Team. We can only figure the Post's sportswriter never got to any Benjamin games since Mike shut down and outperformed the Post's Player of the Year and two other members of the small school first team, as well as a member of the big school first team.

Nobody would disagree that Mike's game of the year was his 31 point explosion against American Heritage (Boca-DelRay) that allowed the Bucs to upset the team that was then ranked No. 3 in the State. The Bucs will miss his skill, experience and consistency next year.

Benjamin v. Palmer Trinity

Benjamin v. Florida Air Academy