Unsung Standouts: Miami
Gerald Cassamajor , North Miami Beach
Playing to his size and enforcer like ability at this level, big forward bulldozed his way to 15 points and 12 rebounds en route to North Miami Player of the Game honors in the Pioneer’s win over Hialeah. Plays in the confines of true big man principles, posting up and using his body to create mismatches on smaller defenders. Combination of Veteran experience and interior toughness is pivotal for North Miami.
Bryan Johnson, Wellington
With last year’s Wellington team reliant on one of South Florida’s most electrifying guards in Trent Frazier, it was clear this would be a rebuilding year for head coach Matt Colin and company. Frazier is currently thriving as a freshman at Illinois, generating plenty of headlines along the way.
And while no single player will fill the gap left by Frazier’s 27.6 points, 6.3 boards, and 4.4 assists from last year, one player tasked with carrying the scoring load is Bryan Johnson. A deadeye shooter who can break open a game when he seizes the hot hand, Johnson scored 16 points to lead the way in Wellington’s 65-30 drubbing of Pahokee. A number of Division-II programs, including Palm Beach Atlantic, are high on the high-scoring guard.
Turo Dean, South Miami
Gritty, hard-nosed guard continues to put forth breakout year. Dean registered a triple double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as South Miami rolled to a convincing 71-44 shellacking of Southwest.
Markquis Nowell, Miami Christian
Anytime you play a nationally ranked opponent with a rich tradition of success, a wowing performance will rapidly increase your profile. Against The Patrick School of New Jersey (formerly St. Patrick’s, which has produced the likes of Kyrie Irving and Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist), Nowell scored 20 points to defeat the highly acclaimed New Jersey powerhouse. Originally from New York City, Nowell was one of the best players in a Kreul Classic that featured a veritable “who’s who” of Division-I talent.