Top performances so far this season
We are in the groove of the regular season after starting just last month.
There have many big-time outings from some of the top players around the state. Here are just some of the best performances I’ve seen so far.
Taylor Trudeau drops 44
The Mount Dora Christian junior guard went off in a 78-57 win over Northeast on Thursday night at the Keswick Christian Suncoast Classic. He scored 44 points which included 18 in the first quarter alone and 29 at the break. He hit 3’s to end both the first and second quarter, including a buzzer beater to go into halftime (). Trudeau is a superb outside shooter. He also showed his abilities as an attacker and as a shutdown defender.
Hawkins and Friar go off on opening night.
In the first game of the FHSAA regular season, Ida Baker senior duo Stephen Hawkins and Corey Friar combined for 60 points in an 83-78 loss at Ft. Myers. Hawkins never stopped pushing the ball up the floor and beating his defenders. Friar did more of the same, but his physical style of basketball is very awesome to watch (). When Hawkins was out of the game or not making too many baskets, Friar rose to the occasion. The opposite can be said for Hawkins when Friar was out. Hawkins had a game-best 31 points with five 3’s and Friar had 29 points with three 3’s.
Scottie Barnes came up clutch in double overtime
The gifted sophomore forward did just about everything to put his team on his back in a double overtime win, 81-72 over national powerhouse Mater Dei in the City of Palms Classic last Wednesday. He had 29 points, 10 rebounds which featured some flashy dunks. His big night propelled the Sharks into the semifinal before he came up clutch once again in the finals win over powerhouse Memphis East on Saturday night. He earned tourney MVP honors. Barnes is rising up at a young age ().
CJ Williams shows up on both ends of the floor
Williams scored 27 points in the 62-61 district loss to visiting St. Pete on Dec. 12. He certainly held his own with 12 fourth quarter points, but his defensive prowess was his best attribute. Williams made life awfully tough for senior Ole Miss commit Serrel Smith all night long as the two battled on both ends of the floor. Williams is best when he’s aggressive on offense (). This was a standout night for the senior.
Seth Coleman muscles his way to 34 points
Junior forward Seth Coleman was the high scorer at the Windermere Prep Shootout on Dec. 10 with 34 points. He played strong for Holy Trinity and fed well off of senior point guard Brandon Schwab in a 74-67 win over Sarasota Riverview. Coleman is noticeably bigger in his upper body and he looked like a running back in football the way he went up and down the floor on the break.
Malachi Wideman steps up with a 30-point night
With junior forward Tyrus Jackson out with an ankle injury, sophomore forward Malachi Wideman did everything and more for the Rams with 30 points against Holy Trinity at the Windermere Prep Shootout. Wideman made important jump shots, went inside for dunks and attacks. He took complete control of the offense and commanded double teams. Wideman is just hitting his stride.
Nate Beymer isn’t just a football player
The 6’6″ junior scored 34 points in a 79-70 win over Lakeland on Dec. 5. Beymer recorded six points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, four in the third and a whopping 14 in the fourth quarter. He put everything home off tip-ins, rebounds and lay-ins. He had a few dunks near the end of the game as well. Auburndale would be hard to stop if he did that on a nightly basis down low.
Luke Anderson proves his worth
The Lakeland junior added 32 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocks in a road loss to Auburndale. It wasn’t quite the start Anderson wanted to the game with only 10 first half points. But the 6’7″ junior forward never came out of the game even for one second. Anderson poured on 22 points in the final half. His ability to stretch the floor with his passing and shooting range is impressive.
Emmitt Williams does it all
Oak Ridge senior forward Emmitt Williams was tremendous at the City of Palms, back in his hometown of Ft. Myers. He consistently averaged a double double and put down highlight reel dunks. I think his best outing came in a 56-52 win over Wesleyan Christian on Saturday. Williams posted 21 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 8-of-12 from the field. Once Williams gets his jumper to go consistently, he’s going to be a force.
Vernon Carey Jr. shows why he is a top junior
Carey Jr. was the best player on the floor in a 75-64 win over New York Archbishop Molloy last Tuesday. His 6’10” frame and attacking ability was simply too much for Archbishop Molloy to slow down. Carey Jr. had 23 points and eight rebounds as he never stopped putting in a full effort. His jumper has good form but he’s best when he attacks the rim and uses his big body in the paint.
Ronald Boyd does it all for Plant
The senior guard displayed patience in transition and was a true court leader for Plant as the Panthers beat Wharton 62-58 on Dec. 1. With junior guard Logan Morrissey inactive, Boyd stepped up in the biggest way. Normally the point man, he played every second of the game netting 24 points including five of the game’s last seven points. Boyd was electric. He lived at the free throw line with 14 points coming there due to his attacking.
Photo credit: City of Palms