Sunshine State Preseason Classic: Underclassmen on rise
If you follow high school basketball in the state of Florida, you likely are already well aware of 2020 standouts Scottie Barnes (University School), Zaire Wade (American Heritage-Plantation), Ivan Reynolds (Coral Springs Charter) and Brian Dugazon (Stranahan).
Here are five underclassmen who are on the rise and caught my eye at the Sunshine State Preseason Classic at Cardinal Gibbons High over the weekend:
Dominic Brooks (2020), Coral Springs Charter
The 6-foot-4 shooting guard came out firing during a 59-46 victory over Class 6A American Heritage-Plantation.
Brooks canned two 3-pointers in the first half and added another in the final two quarters to finish as one of two Panthers in double figures. Ivan Reynolds led Charter, which starts five juniors, with 17 points.
Brooks has good size and is very accurate. He is a transfer from Coral Glades.
Ben Middlebrooks (2022), Westminster Academy
The aspect I was most impressed with in regards to Middlebrooks is, despite the freshman missing his first three 3-point attempts vs. The Rock School, his head never sunk.
Middlebrooks stayed with it, he continued to work for coach Ehren Wallhoff and was a major factor on the boards for the two-time defending Class 4A state champions.
And about those missed 3s — no worries there. The 6-7 Middlebrooks has a soft, good-looking shot. If he keeps shooting, those will start falling.
Alec Oglesby (2020), The Rock School
The 6-4 junior guard scored 11 and 17 points against University School and Westminster Academy, respectively. Oglesby drilled five 3-pointers vs. Westminster.
“Alec Ogelsby, No. 10, hit the big shot at the end for us,’ said 10th-year The Rock School coach Justin Harden. “He’s got offers from a number of different high-major and mid-major schools.”
Maximus Fuentes (2022), North Broward Prep
The 6-1 / 6-2 freshman guard (pictured below) lit Cardinal Gibbons up for 20 points (and 4 rebounds) a night after NBP defeated American Heritage-Plantation.
“That boy can shoot,” Eagles junior guard Dom Denny said of Fuentes. “Every day, all the time at practice, all he does is shoot. An amazing shooter. He stepped up real big tonight. They were double-teaming me and coming at me like crazy.”
Fellow NBP freshman Justin Abson also impressed. The 6-7 ninth-grader had 16 rebounds, 6 points, 4 assists and 3 blocks vs. Gibbons.
Prince Mosengo (2022), Victory Rock Prep
The young freshman forward, who wears No. 35, more than held his own vs. Chaminade-Madonna. Mosengo had 11 points and 3 rebounds in the W.
“We had really, really good production from Prince today,” VRP coach Loren B. Jackson said.
“Very young group,” Jackson added. “Very talented but still have a long way to go.”
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.