2016-17 Team Preview: Tampa Catholic
Tampa Catholic 2015-16 record: 26-5 2016-17 prediction: 24-7 Outlook: The Crusaders made their first state title appearance since 2011. They lost 68-53 to Jacksonville Bolles in the 4A state semifinal. Three-point specialist Thomas Dziagwa went onto to Oklahoma State while crafty senior…
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Continue ReadingTampa Catholic
2015-16 record: 26-5
2016-17 prediction: 24-7
Outlook: The Crusaders made their first state title appearance since 2011. They lost 68-53 to Jacksonville Bolles in the 4A state semifinal. Three-point specialist Thomas Dziagwa went onto to Oklahoma State while crafty senior forward Jessy St. Marc. Senior Kevin Knox and Prep Hoops’ No. 1 ranked 2017 prospect will lead the way along with junior guards Tai Strickland and Messiah Turner. Senior Nick Giorgi is poised for a bigger role this season. Tampa Catholic will contend simply because Knox can take over games. This is a strong backcourt as well with Strickland and Turner entrenched.
Projected Starters
F Kevin Knox (6’8″, Sr.)
F Nick Giorgi (6’3″, Sr.)
G Tai Strickland (6’0″, Jr.)
G Messiah Turner (6’0, Jr.)
G Tim Carter (6’0″, Jr.)
Key reserves
G Darren Robinson (6’0″, Jr.)
F Alaijah Harrison (6’3″, Fr.)
G Bentlee Sanders (5’10, Sr.)
Top games
vs. Windermere Prep (Nov. 30) —season opener
vs. Illinois East St. Louis (Dec. 16) —City of Palms Classic
at Jesuit (Jan. 6)
vs. Montverde (Jan. 21) —ARS HoopFest
vs. Berkeley Prep (Jan. 24)
at Tampa Prep (Jan. 31)
A look ahead
Tampa Catholic employs an up-tempo offense and with Knox still at the center of this group they will have a chance to hang around in most games. Knox has a knack of making a big play whether that be a dunk, 3-pointer or pretty lay-in.
Strickland is going to emerge this season with Dziagwa now graduated while Brandon transfer Turner has all the tools to be a dynamic threat out of the backcourt.
Giorgi is a dangerous shooter when he gets going and with more opportunities this season to see hefty minutes, I expect him to do just that. Carter and Harrison will see plenty of time at the two-guard while Harrison will serve as the top big man reserve despite his freshman status. Sanders is a high-end performer when he hits the floor with his speed coming from both football and baseball.
Under 25th-year head coach Don Dziagwa, the Crusaders always compete at a high level and it should be no different in Knox’s last hoorah. TC has a bitter taste in their mouths and you can bet this group wants to get back to the state tournament and get the job done after falling short a year ago.