Summer League Insight: Wednesday Night
On Wednesday night, summer league basketball went down in Tampa.
Seven schools played during a four hour session at Berkeley Prep. Wiregrass Ranch, Sickles, Brooks DeBartolo, Clearwater Central Catholic and Jefferson joined the Buccaneers for some June basketball.
Here is what I took away from the night.
Berkeley Prep competed
The Bucs have a good amount of football players on the roster with 2018 forwards Zach Mathis, Mayan Ahanotu and Nicholas Petit-Frere and 2019 guard Josh Youngblood. It remains to be seen which ones will suit up this season.
Regardless, Berkeley Prep has talent with emerging 2019 forward Zion Carter. When he was aggressive in the paint, he shined. The son of former NFL great Kevin Carter, Zion is growing into his 6’6″ frame. 2018 guards Kaleb Karnes and Myles Hyatt are the main ballhandlers. 2019 forward Alex Weinstock is a solid shooter and 2020 guard Kegan Karnes is one of the best shooters in the area.
Renaldo Garcia takes over the program. He was the longtime head coach for Sickles and a state champion this past season. So far, so good as the Bucs are truly working the ball around.
Wiregrass Ranch is senior oriented
2018 guards Jordan Miner and VJ Williams were leading the offense all night. Inside, 2018 forwards Nkem Asomba and Justin Rush did damage. Another 2018 guard that stood out was Daniel Biglow.
The Bulls employ a young bench, but with Miner handling the rock and Williams and Biglow knocking down jumpers, they are in good hands. Head coach Jeremy Calzone is going to lean on Asomba and Rush to do the dirty work, Asomba did plenty of that on the night.
CCC has improved each night
2020 forward Ronnie Williams has quickly carved out a role for head coach Mike Wasilenko. The Dunedin transfer gave Jefferson and Sickles problems. Against the Gryphons, the rising sophomore gave them fits as CCC won in overtime. The Marauders have improved each time I’ve seen these last few weeks.
2018 guard Nick Amaro did his part, making key jumpers and 2019 athlete Jerjuan Newton was the game changer he typically is on driving layups. 2018 guards Jeremiah Brown and Tripp Robinson also helped pace the offense. Perhaps the player with the most upside is 2021 forward Trey Johnson.
Sickles means business
2018 forward Bryce Workman is at his best when he is working his way into the paint with his brute strength. He’s simply one of the best post players in the area and the state.
2018 point guard Tahj Lalanne runs the show from the backcourt and 2019 forward Chase Barrs is a rising player, who is long and bouncy inside. The Gryphons are playing without 2018 forward Denari Garrett, who will be the next best thing down low this year.
Brooks DeBartolo is young
2020 guard LJ Thomas had a breakout freshman season for the Phoenix. On Thursday night, he tried his hardest to fight through traffic, but Brooks DeBartolo couldn’t create much. He held his own and has gotten bigger and stronger.
The best shooter for this group is 2018 guard Brandyn Hale, who sunk a 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer. 2018 forward DeShawn Todman is the best interior player on the roster. Once 2018 Wharton transfer Isaiah Thomas is allowed to play, he’ll thrive offensively for this group.
Jefferson is in rebuild mode
A team that won only four games is still looking to put the pieces together.