Karl Knighten, a senior basketball player at Matanzas High School, has been voted the ITG Next Florida Male Athlete of the Month for February 2023, stemming from his on-court play during January.
Knighten received 71.53% of the possible votes from a list of three additional finalists, a group that included South Dade wrestler Sawyer Bartelt, Cresent City soccer player Jesus Cruz, and Wesley Chapel basketball player Trey Murray.
One of Florida’s top scorers this season, Knighten fashioned a 2022-23 senior campaign at Mantanzas that was nothing short of memorable. In 26 games, he filled the stat sheet on a regular basis for the Pirates, averaging 26.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 3.4 SPG. Knighten shot 49% from the field and 34% from three-point range.
Of those 26 games, Knighten scored at least 20 points in all but three, and he had 10 games of 30+ points. Also included in Knighten’s 2022-23 season were two 40+ point performances, led by a season-high 41-point showing in a 57-31 win over Trinity Christian on December 5.
What truly earned Knighten Athlete of the Month honors for February 2023 was his stellar play in January, a 31-day span that included some special performances on the hardwood. In 11 games, Knighten averaged 26.5 PPG, which was among the highest in the state during January, as well as 4.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 2.8 SPG.
Of those games, Knighten scored 20+ points in all but one, and he had 30 points or more three times. Those performances came in back-to-back games against Yulee and ED White on January 20-21, and a month-high 34-point showing on January 11 in a 69-62 loss at Spruce Creek.
Congratulations to Matanzas basketball’s Karl Knighten on a phenomenal 2022-23 senior season, and for being voted the ITG Next Florida February 2023 Male Athlete of the Month.
