It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Montverge, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Montverge, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Montverge, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Montverge, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Montverde Academy continues to remain the state's undisputed No. 1 team; Oakland Park Northeast enter the rankingsWe switch over from the gridiron to the hardwood as it's high school basketball time throughout the country and there's plenty of great hoop action going on in the Sunshine State.With Thanksgiving, Christmas now behind us and New Year fast approaching, national tournaments will be place around the state that involving many of the top teams.Who are those top teams everyone should be watching out for? We've got...
Montverde Academy continues to remain the state's undisputed No. 1 team; Oakland Park Northeast enter the rankings
We switch over from the gridiron to the hardwood as it's high school basketball time throughout the country and there's plenty of great hoop action going on in the Sunshine State.
With Thanksgiving, Christmas now behind us and New Year fast approaching, national tournaments will be place around the state that involving many of the top teams.
Who are those top teams everyone should be watching out for? We've got you covered with our second set of Power 25 rankings for girls basketball in Florida.
Here’s the complete breakdown of Florida's elite girls high school basketball teams for the 2024-2025 season, as we see it for rankings.
Returning as the No. 1 team in the Sunshine State for the 2024-2025 season are the Eagles. Though they have a loss on their record, Montverde Academy has notched impressive victories this season over state powers Dr. Phillips and St. Thomas Aquinas.
We're really looking forward to the end of the season matchup between Montverde Academy and IMG Academy. The Ascenders' three losses include two coming to national powers Hebron Christian (Georgia) and Bishop McNamara (Maryland).
Among the Florida teams listed just on the outside looking in of the latest High School On SI national rankings, DME Academy has been playing about as good as anyone to start off the season.
The only losses sustained by Central Pointe Christian so far this season are to Bishop McNamara (Maryland), PHH Pre National (Arizona) and Shining Star Sports Academy (Virginia).
The defending Class 3A state champs from a year ago have already pulled off some impressive victories to date, beating Cardinal Mooney, Dr. Phillips and St. Thomas Aquinas. Not a bad trio to upend so far in the early going.
There's no doubting how good are the Pirates when you stack them up against the other teams in these rankings. Only loss to an in-state team came to Central Pointe Christian.
You knew the Blue Devils would be right up here in the mix with everyone else in the state. Winter Haven's only losses have come to Palm Bay (see above) and Bishop Ireton (Virginia).
The Firebirds have made their strong case to be higher up on our second set of rankings because of how they've played so far. Only three losses have come to Central Pointe Christian, DME Academy and Springboro (Ohio).
Of the seven losses the Panthers have on the season, three of the seven have come against teams from Florida. Dr. Phillips bounced back with a resounding 75-50 victory over West Port.
After a 1-2 start to the season, with losses to Mt. Zion Prep Academy and Potter's House Christian, the Raiders have gone 7-4 in the following eleven games. Though the Raiders are .500, their schedule, alike many of the teams in these rankings, are up against some of the top programs nationally.
The Cougars have been snakebitten in narrow losses to state powers like Dr. Phillips and Winter Haven.
Other than losses to Cardinal Mooney, Galloway (Georgia), Livingston Academy (Tennessee) and Northview Academy (Tennessee) this season, the Stallions have been one of Northeast Florida's top clubs.
Senior shooting guard Abby Knauff has been very impressive this season, averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game.
Senior combo guard Chardae Rumph leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game for Somerset Prep.
The Lions have made a huge jump from last season and handing Plantation American Heritage a loss this season spoke volumes of where they're at now.
Only four losses of the season far have come against St. Thomas Aquinas, River Ridge (Georgia), Westminster Academy and Winter Haven.
Hard to not rank these guys in the early going of the season as the Barracudas have impressive wins over Blanche Ely and Mainland. We keep New Smyrna Beach in the rankings after a narrow 54-44 loss to Central Pointe Christian.
The Hurricanes are another team on this list who has only suffered one loss to a non-Florida based team on the season. Northeast fell 75-69 against Owensboro Catholic (Kentucky).
Another Northeast Florida team that's been pretty impressive so far is the Trojans of Jacksonville. Ribault has a solid victory over Bishop Kenny to its record this season. Most recent game was a loss to Bolles, one of our state ranked teams.
A hot start to the season has propelled this Crusaders team into the state championship conversation in Class 3A. Only loss so far is a 72-21 decision against Bolles.
The Lions dropped a few spots this week after falling to The Villages recently, 44-43. King's Academy remains one of the state's top teams.
The Lions have come right out of the gates with impressive victories lined up and down their schedule. Most impressive win was against Evangelical Christian, though they have split the season series so far.
The Wildcats are off to a sizzling start to the season, with nine straight victories highlighted by a win over Lakewood and The Villages.
Buffaloes drop down several spots in this week's rankings after falling to Wildwood, 59-54.
It's difficult to keep a team away from these rankings that has only fallen twice to out-of-state foes. Only two losses have come up against Norcross (Georgia) and Brewbaker Tech (Alabama).
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school girls basketball news.
To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
-- Andy Villamarzo | [email protected] | @highschoolsi
Published Dec 30, 2024
Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.
Montverde Academy continues to make case as the state's No. 1 team; The Villages enter the rankingsWe switch over from the gridiron to the hardwood as it's high school basketball time throughout the country and there's plenty of great hoop action going on in the Sunshine State.With Thanksgiving now behind us and Christmas/New Year fast approaching, national tournaments will be place around the state that involving many of the top teams.Who are those top teams everyone should be watching out for? We've got you covered wit...
Montverde Academy continues to make case as the state's No. 1 team; The Villages enter the rankings
We switch over from the gridiron to the hardwood as it's high school basketball time throughout the country and there's plenty of great hoop action going on in the Sunshine State.
With Thanksgiving now behind us and Christmas/New Year fast approaching, national tournaments will be place around the state that involving many of the top teams.
Who are those top teams everyone should be watching out for? We've got you covered with our second set of Power 25 rankings for girls basketball in Florida.
Here’s the complete breakdown of Florida's elite girls high school basketball teams for the 2024-2025 season, as we see it for rankings.
Returning as the No. 1 team in the Sunshine State for the 2024-2025 season are the Eagles. Though they have a loss on their record, Montverde Academy has notched impressive victories this season over state powers Dr. Phillips and St. Thomas Aquinas.
We're really looking forward to the end of the season matchup between Montverde Academy and IMG Academy. The Ascenders' three losses include two coming to national powers Hebron Christian (Georgia) and Bishop McNamara (Maryland).
Among the Florida teams listed just on the outside looking in of the latest High School On SI national rankings, DME Academy has been playing about as good as anyone to start off the season.
The only losses sustained by Central Pointe Christian so far this season are to Bishop McNamara (Maryland), PHH Pre National (Arizona) and Shining Star Sports Academy (Virginia).
The defending Class 3A state champs from a year ago have already pulled off some impressive victories to date, beating Cardinal Mooney, Dr. Phillips and St. Thomas Aquinas. Not a bad trio to upend so far in the early going.
There's no doubting how good are the Pirates when you stack them up against the other teams in these rankings. Only loss to an in-state team came to Central Pointe Christian.
You knew the Blue Devils would be right up here in the mix with everyone else in the state. Winter Haven's only losses have come to Palm Bay (see above) and Bishop Ireton (Virginia).
The Firebirds have made their strong case to be higher up on our second set of rankings because of how they've played so far. Only two losses have come to Central Pointe Christian and DME Academy.
Of the seven losses the Panthers have on the season, three of the seven have come against teams from Florida. Dr. Phillips is currently in the midst of a 3-game losing skid to some of the top teams in the country.
After a 1-2 start to the season, with losses to Mt. Zion Prep Academy and Potter's House Christian, the Raiders have gone 5-4 in the following nine games. Though the Raiders are .500, their schedule, alike many of the teams in these rankings, are up against some of the top programs nationally.
The Cougars have been snakebitten in narrow losses to state powers like Dr. Phillips and Winter Haven.
Other than losses to Cardinal Mooney and Galloway (Georgia) this season, the Stallions have been one of Northeast Florida's top clubs.
Senior shooting guard Abby Knauff has been very impressive this season, averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game.
Senior combo guard Chardae Rumph leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game for Somerset Prep.
The Lions have made a huge jump from last season and handing Plantation American Heritage a loss this season spoke volumes of where they're at now.
Only four losses of the season far have come against St. Thomas Aquinas, River Ridge (Georgia), Westminster Academy and Winter Haven.
Making the jump into this week's rankings is the Buffaloes after they defeated King's Academy last week, 44-43. An impressive win for The Villages.
Hard to not rank these guys in the early going of the season as the Barracudas have impressive wins over Blanche Ely and Mainland.
The Tigers are another team on this list who has only suffered one loss to a Florida-based team on the season. Blanche Ely fell 49-28 against New Smyrna Beach.
Another Northeast Florida team that's been pretty impressive so far is the Trojans of Jacksonville. Ribault has a solid victory over Bishop Kenny to its record this season. Most recent game was a loss to Bolles, one of our state ranked teams.
A hot start to the season has propelled this Crusaders team into the state championship conversation in Class 3A. Only loss so far is a 72-21 decision against Bolles.
The Lions dropped a few spots this week after falling to The Villages recently, 44-43. King's academy remains one of the state's top teams.
The Lions have come right out of the gates with impressive victories lined up and down their schedule. Most impressive win was against Evangelical Christian, though they have split the season series so far.
The Wildcats are off to a sizzling start to the season, with nine straight victories highlighted by a win over Lakewood.
It's difficult to keep a team away from these rankings that has only fallen twice to out-of-state foes. Losses have come against Norcross (Georgia) and Brewbaker Tech (Alabama).
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school girls basketball news.
To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
-- Andy Villamarzo | [email protected] | @highschoolsi
Published Dec 24, 2024
Andy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007, writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times, The Tampa Tribune, The Suncoast News, Tampa Beacon, Hernando Sun to name a few. Andy resides out of the Tarpon Springs, FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area. He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports, appearing frequently on podcasts, radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings, recruiting and much more.
C.J. Ingram is a legacy by every definition of the word.The 6-foot-6 four-star shooting guard, whose full name is Cornelius Ingram II, has followed in his father's footsteps in more ways than one and yet has managed to blaze his own trail in the basketball recruiting world. The first Cornelius Ingram was a two-sport high school star, who played football for the University of Florida and then 13 seasons in the NFL.C.J. is one of the marquee names on a star-studded Montverde squad and has led the Eagles to yet anot...
C.J. Ingram is a legacy by every definition of the word.
The 6-foot-6 four-star shooting guard, whose full name is Cornelius Ingram II, has followed in his father's footsteps in more ways than one and yet has managed to blaze his own trail in the basketball recruiting world. The first Cornelius Ingram was a two-sport high school star, who played football for the University of Florida and then 13 seasons in the NFL.
C.J. is one of the marquee names on a star-studded Montverde squad and has led the Eagles to yet another appearance in the City of Palms' Traditional Bracket Championship on Monday night vs. Miami Christopher Columbus.
But before he was the big man on campus at the nation's premier basketball powerhouse ? he transferred to Montverde in November ? he was the dual-sport star at Hawthorne High School in Gainesville, a school with a population of less than 500.
Hawthorne is also his dad's alma mater and the elder Ingram is the Hornet's head football coach, leading them to 2022 and 2023 state championships. As Cornelius called the plays on the sideline, C.J. relayed them in the huddle as the starting quarterback.
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To say C.J. excelled as a two-sport athlete like his father would be an understatement. After leading the Hornets to an undefeated season as a sophomore, he was named the 2023 Florida Dairy Farmer's 1R Player of the Year after posting 2,618 passing yards and 38 touchdowns on the way to a second-straight undefeated season.
Then in the winter, he eclipsed the 1,000-career point threshold after averaging 24 points, 8.5 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.
"Even when I wasn't recruited heavily, (my dad) knew what was set for me," he said. "He just pushed me every day. He was always that ear when I needed someone to talk to. But when I also needed advice, he always came through."
Ingram committed to play basketball for Florida, his father's alma mater, in August. Cornelius played tight end for the Gators for four years before being selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by Philadelphia.
Recruiting:Four-star junior Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, paves own legacy
While Cornelius was well-known for his time on the gridiron and was a member of the Gators' 2006 and 2008 national championship teams, he also suited up for Billy Donovan's basketball team as a freshman and appeared in 19 games.
"He pretty much let me do my recruitment however I wanted," C.J. said. "He didn't really force me to make any decisions. I know some people think that. That's not the case at all. He was super humble and super laid back about the process and I was super thankful for that."
Most of the nation's top senior basketball commits signed binding agreements the week of Nov. 14, but C.J. was noticeably absent from the Gator's signing class. Ingram's decision, or lack thereof, came just days after news broke that Florida's Title IX office had filed a formal complaint against Gator head coach Todd Golden, alleging inappropriate conduct with students.
While rumors swirl surrounding C.J's commitment to Florida, his confidence in the program remains unshaken.
"A lot of people may think that I'm probably looking at other schools, but that's not the case at all," he said. "I'm 110-percent committed to Coach Todd and the staff at the University of Florida... I wasn't really sure about what happened off the court with him, but I know him as a coach and how passionate he is about his team. Nothing's changed my mind about me going to play for (Golden)"
C.J. grew up in Gainesville, and the seeds to be a Gator were planted long before it was time for him to put pen to paper.
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He cites his relationships with the assistant coaches at Florida as a primary reassurance. While Golden's future as head coach of the Gators may be in question, C.J. says his future as a Gator is not. Even if Golden is removed from his position, there's enough in Gainesville to keep him tethered to the class.
"Taurean Green (player development coach) and coach (Jordan) Talley (player development coach), but coach Taurean especially," he said. "He was teammates with my dad when he played basketball at Florida, and when I wasn't even offered from Florida I was hearing from him. He was always somebody I could talk to about it, he's like an uncle to me. So I know when I get there, training and everything's going to go smooth and I'm going to be super comfortable."
As for the timing of the delay, he says he always wanted to sign at Hawthorne. Being a last-minute addition to this year's Montverde roster, he joined the program just a few days before the signing period began.
"With me transferring to Montverde on such short notice, I had already planned to do my signing day with my friends at Hawthorne," he said. "But they all play football, and some of them aren't committed yet... whenever the next signing period comes, that's when I want to do it. I just want to do it at Hawthorne in front of friends and family."
City of Palms Classic 2024:IMG, Oak Ridge, Columbus join Montverde in City of Palms semifinals
He says a big reason he's been able to stay focused on his senior year is because he's at Montverde, and the environment there has helped ignore the rumor mill surrounding his recruitment.
"I'm at Montverde, it's pretty much just basketball all the time," he said. "I can't really pay attention to stuff like that. Fortunately, we work hard in practice so I'll be tired and I can't even pay attention to stuff like that. I've moved on from it by now. I'm just ready to sign now."
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