South Florida’s Most Underrated: Shooters
Jesus Duquesne, Mater Academy
As a long 6-foot-7 Class of 2018 prospect, Duquesne has the essential attributes of a deep and floor spreading knockdown threat. While Duquesne’s got a tendency to spot-up and fire up 3-pointers from the corner and wings, the incorporation of a dependable and oft-used 15 to 18-footer in his arsenal should be prioritized in his New Year’s resolution list.
That would make it a memorable 2018 for legendary Miami coach (and former Florida International head coach) Marcos “Shakey” Rodriguez. This would also do wonders in enhancing Duquesne’s Division-I profile. With a smooth stroke and a good looking form, Duquesne’s long range shooting is translatable to the NCAA level. Just how much he develops and brings a killer instinct to close out his senior year will determine where the ensuing stage is for him.
Alex Angeles, Chaminade Madonna
The hot-shooting 6-foot guard scored a game-best 23 points (7-for-12 FG), hitting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to help lift Chaminade Madonna to a 72-61 victory over Florida Christian. Angeles subscribes to the role of 3-point trigger man in a Chaminade Madonna lineup bolstered by position to position power.
His catch-and-stick game was a pivotal factor during one of the more memorable games of the Adidas Holiday Slam.
Michael Labastille, McArthur
A deep jumper was one of the finer points of Labastille’s trade during McArthur’s 63-57 win over Fort Lauderdale. He shot the rock at a 7-for-13 clip, displaying nerveless and veteran poise in knocking down loud shots during heightened pressure moments. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard is flushed into a prominent role this season. A performance of this magnitude was indicative of his readiness.
Cade Long, Boca Raton H.S.
As a prolific all around scorer and senior leader with a wealth of experience, Long has shed the tag of shooter. In developing a one-on-one game and becoming more comfortable in scoring the ball between a defender and the basket, you can’t define his impact on the game in one single role.
Long averaged a team-best 34.3 points per game during Boca Raton’s recent performance in the Father Lopez Holiday tournament.
The Rollins College-bound guard’s deep 3-point range and blink-quick trigger were components that made him stand out during earlier stages of his career. His high-arching shot and how easily he gets it off enabled him to gain credibility as a sophomore. Now as a seasoned senior, the crafty Long is an all-out gamer.
Marcus Montalvo, Westminster Christian
An advanced scoring acumen, one which starts with his catch-and-stick game, has enabled Montalvo to emerge into a special player for Westminster Christian. Montalvo is averaging 22.2 points, proving himself as a prolific scorer capable of igniting a key run or breaking open a momentum surge.