WATCH: Julius Reid Integral Part of Cocoa’s 2009 State Championship Team, Florida Tech Standout

By  //  May 8, 2018

Reid excelled at every level of basketball

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2018 INDUCTEE: Julius Reid excelled at every level of basketball in which he participated as a player at Cocoa High School and Florida Tech, and now as head coach at Florida Prep.

THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Being competitive is a given when it comes to the careers of those inducted into Hall of Fames. But rarely do you find ultra-competitive people who care as much about people and want others around them to succeed as much as former Cocoa Tiger and Florida Tech basketball standout Julius Reid does.

Reid excelled at every level of basketball he participated in. Raised by his mother, Babette, and grandmother, Clementine, Reid is forever grateful for the life’s lessons each taught him and knows being successful would not have been a reality without them.

Growing up without a father, Julius turned to coaches, and like most aspiring young athletes had an idol. His was LA Lakers star, Kobe Bryant. As great as Kobe was on the court it was what Reid learned about him when he failed off the court that still stays with him.

“If you keep God first and keep the right mindset, trials and tribulations will trampoline you to new heights in life,” said Reid.

Julius Reid was an integral part of the Cocoa Tigers 2009 State Championship team. In the title game, Cocoa trailed by as many as 17 points in the second quarter and was down 13 at the half. With Reid taking charge, Cocoa would go on to win 75-60, registering what is still the biggest comeback in FHSAA basketball championship history.
Julius Reid led the Florida TechPanthers to their first-ever Sunshine State Conference title in 2012. For his efforts, Reid was named Male Athlete of the Year at Florida Tech.

Aside from Kobe, the coaches in Reid’s life helped mold him into the man he has become today. Emerson Murray with the Cape Coast Titans, James Rowe of the Cocoa Tigers and Billy Mims of the Florida Tech Panthers would all play critical roles.

Murray, who is still a tremendous influence in Reid’s life today, helped him mature into a man.

“Julius Reid is a young man that has always been a quiet leader and role model for his peers,” said Murray. “I could always count on him to do what was right.”

Coach Rowe would teach Reid how to be humble and a better team player. Reid could score but Rowe wanted his teams to play defense and at times would sit him until he did learn.

Reid was an integral part of the Cocoa Tigers 2009 State Championship team. In the title game, Cocoa trailed by as many as 17 points in the second quarter and was down 13 at the half.

With Reid taking charge and Coach Rowe’s defense forcing 15 second-half turnovers, Cocoa would go on to win 75-60, registering what is still the biggest comeback in FHSAA basketball championship history.

Reid scored 10 of his 20 points in the third quarter as Cocoa dominated 20-4 in one stretch on the 32-point turnaround win.

At Florida Tech, Reid flourished but not before having to overcome adversity and follow his own advice. A season-ending injury in his freshman season occurred two games past the redshirt deadline but with Mims’ encouragement and Reid’s competitiveness, he returned to star for three more years.

He wrapped up his career on the Tech basketball team with a tremendous season. For nine-straight weeks, Reid playing ferocious defense, leading all three Divisions of the NCAA in steals per game.

Reid collected four postseason accolades to finish his career and also led the Panthers to their first-ever Sunshine State Conference title in 2012. For his efforts, Reid was named a co-recipient for the Male Athlete of the Year at Florida Tech.

Reid graduated with a civil engineering degree from Florida Tech in 2014 and is as successful off the court as he was on. Currently, a construction superintendent for DR Horton, he will take the next step in his life when he marries his fiancé, Cara Bortz, in June.

Taking over at a school that won four state titles in six years, Julius Reid wasted no time in continuing Florida Prep’s great basketball tradition. In just his second season he guided the Falcons back to the state championship where they were beaten on a last-second shot. He is 50-12 over the past two seasons at Florida Prep.

FLORIDA PREP HEAD COACH

Being competitive means always wanting new challenges. Reid found it when Brevard County high school basketball powerhouse Florida Prep was looking for a new head coach.

Taking over at a school that won four state titles in six years, Reid wasted no time in continuing Florida Prep’s great basketball tradition. In just his second season he guided the Falcons back to the state championship where they were beaten on a last-second shot. He is 50-12 over the past two seasons at Florida Prep.

Living life by those principals is a major reason why it should come as no surprise Reid is already a great coach. It is that philosophy and his competitive spirit that has him right where he belongs – with the best of the best in the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

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THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT the 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS