2018-19 Fab 5: Broward County
Broward County programs have brought home the hardware from the Boys State Basketball Tournament six times in the past two seasons.
In 2016-17, Westminster Academy (4A), Calvary Christian (5A) and Dillard (7A) earned state championships. Last season, it was Westminster (4A), University School (5A) and Blanche Ely (8A).
The 2018-19 high school basketball season tips off this week and several Broward programs have the capability of making a run to Lakeland. Here is Pat Lammer’s Broward County Fab 5 heading into the year:
Vernon Carey Jr. (2019), University School
The 6-foot-10 center is a consensus preseason All-American. Carey led the Sharks (33-2) to a runner-up finish at the GEICO Nationals and a FHSAA Class 5A state championship in 2017-18.
The U-School big has all of the tools that make him a 5-star prospect. Carey’s 3 finalists are Duke, Michigan State & North Carolina.
Toumani Camara (2019), Chaminade-Madonna
The 6-7 wing signed with Georgia over Dayton and Kansas State. PrepHoops.com ranks Camara the No. 15 prospect in the Sunshine State in the senior class.
Camara came to the United States from Belgium his sophomore year. The Chaminade 4-star’s game took a jump last February and Camara continued to excel with Team Knight on the travel circuit. He was brilliant in a 31-point performance vs. University School in the 5A district tournament.
Scottie Barnes (2020), University School
Barnes is ranked among the top prospects nationally in the junior class and PrepHoops ranks the 6-8 star the No. 1 prospect in Florida in the junior class.
Barnes is the definition of a playmaker. He can do it all: Handle the ball, score, rebound, defend. But the top two things he brings are 1) his effort and fire and 2) he is one of the best passers in the country.
Barnes played his freshman season at Cardinal Newman. Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Miami and Oregon are among his offers.
Dudley Blackwell (2020), Somerset Pines
PrepHoops ranks the 6-7 4-star prospect the No. 5 player in the state of Florida in the 2020 class.
Blackwell transferred from Westminster Academy to Somerset Pines for his junior year. In Blackwell’s two seasons at Westminster Academy, the Lions posted a 52-10 mark with two Class 4A state championships. Among his scholarship offers: FGCU, Iowa State and Oklahoma State.
Wesley Cardet (2021), Northeast
PrepHoops ranks the 6-5 Cardet the No. 2 prospect in Florida in the sophomore class. Excellent size from the guard position.
Excelled on the travel circuit with Team Breakdown over the summer. College coaches are already taking notice. Florida, Miami, Iowa State, Southern Cal, Clemson among those to offer.
Next in line (No order)
Sam Griffin (2019) Westminster Academy; Damari Monsanto (2019) Western; Ivan Reynolds (2020) Coral Springs Charter; Joshua Scott (2019) Blanche Ely; Chase Johnston (2019) Westminster Academy; R.J. Duhart (2019) Boyd Anderson; Isiah Kirby (2019) Sagemont; Malachi Hazelton (2020) Blanche Ely; Dallas Graziani (2020) Cooper City; Gregg Glenn (2022), Calvary Christian; Jalen Haynes (2020), Dillard; Brian Dugazon (2019), Stranahan; Zaire Wade (2020), American Heritage.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.