Each week Orlando Sports Central posts its list of top performers with ties to the Central Florida area. This week an Apopka defender makes a late-game interception, a Dr. Phillips point guard impresses against the defending state champions, Orlando Magic is led by November’s coach of the month, a UCF football defensive end wins player of the week honors and a UCF hoopster has a big impact in a win for the Knights.

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

1.) Bradley Gallon – Apopka Blue Darters – In a five-overtime high school football game that had more than its fair share of standouts on both the winning and losing teams, Gallon’s interception of Dr. Phillips in the final overtime period was as clutch as it gets. That effort set up a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterback Keon Brooks one play later that secured a 58-52 win for the Blue Darters.

Bruce Miller

2.) Bruce Miller – UCF Knights – The junior defensive end earned his second Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honor following last week’s 34-27 UCF win at UAB. He tallied 2.5 tackles for loss, five tackles in all, and two second-half sacks while also breaking up a pass on UAB’s final drive in the win. Miller entered the weekend seventh in the nation in sacks and 18th in tackles for a loss.

3.) Shane Larkin – Dr. Phillips Panthers – The junior point guard put together an impressive stat line in the season opener for Dr. Phillips at the Hoops Mountain Hoops Feast gathering at West Orange High School last weekend. In a convincing 77-45 win against the defending Class 6A state champion Miami Coral Reef, Larkin drained 12 of 20 shots for 31 points and also chipped in with nine steals, five assists and two blocks in the win.

Dave Diakite

4.) Dave Diakite – UCF Knights – After playing in just five games a year ago, where he went 3-for-13 from the field before suffering an injury, the redshirt freshman scored a career-high 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting last Saturday against Albany. He played a key part in helping wrap up a 76-72 win by grabbing a game-high eight rebounds along with two steals for the Knights.

5.) Stan Van Gundy – Orlando Magic – By guiding the Orlando Magic to a Conference-best 14-4 record in November, Van Gundy was named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. He got the nod over nominees that included Atlanta’s Mike Woodson, Boston’s Doc Rivers and Cleveland’s Mike Brown. The Magic earned road wins over both Boston and Atlanta while going 8-2 away from home. They entered December ranked in the top-5 of four different defensive statistical categories. Van Gundy also won the award in January of last season.

More ––

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/25/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/18/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/11/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 11/4/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/28/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/21/09

Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09