Most Intriguing Prospects: Lakewood Ranch vs. Lakewood
On Wednesday night, I took in a game between Lakewood Ranch vs. Lakewood at Eckerd College.
The Mustangs came to St. Petersburg and took down the home team 62-45.
Ahead 24-21 at the break, Lakewood Ranch used a deep rotation of players to wear down the Spartans. Four different Lakewood Ranch bench players took a charge in the first half which showed the effort level there.
Lakewood was hanging around all night, but Lakewood Ranch had too much speed and toughness down the stretch.
Note: Lakewood is playing all of its home matchups at Eckerd College this season with its gym undergoing a remodel.
Here is a look at the most intriguing prospects from the game.
Keon Buckley (Lakewood Ranch)
Finally returning to full health after a summer dealing with a back injury, 2020 6’0″ guard Keon Buckley continues to be a true worker for Lakewood Ranch. He netted a game-high 14 points which included three 3’s, two from the top of the key in the second quarter. Buckley is not afraid to keep shooting. He really makes life tough on defenses with his speed downhill and ability to make a quick pass anywhere on the floor.
Jalen White (Lakewood)
Continuing his gritty play from Saturday’s 27-point outing against Potter’s House Christian, 2019 6’5″ guard Jalen White was the best player for Lakewood in this one. He routinely drove inside and took chances as an attacker, ending the night with a team-high 13 points. White likes the pull-up jumper, but he’s super hard to slow down when he gets to the rim and breaks out in transition.
Joshua Young (Lakewood Ranch)
Nine of Joshua Young’s 11 points came in the second half alone. The 6’6″ forward is an underrated talent in the Bradenton area. Young is not afraid defensively and is active and willing to grab boards and block shots. He broke out off a steal in the third quarter, slamming down a one-handed dunk on the other end (VIDEO). Young will be asked to do plenty in this up-tempo Lakewood Ranch scheme.
Christian Shaneyfelt (Lakewood Ranch)
In the first half, 2020 6’6″ guard/forward Christian Shaneyfelt barely sniffed the stat book with one point. In the second half, he scored six points to finish with seven points in total. He certainly can’t be happy with his offensive night. However, there a few aspects of his game that he continues to flourish in as a pure basketball player. Shaneyfelt was constantly jumping and diving to save loose balls, digging in on the boards and he has a good feel for the floor as a passer near the basket. Whether he’s scoring or not, Shaneyfelt will always be noticeable on the floor with his pure effort level and stamina.
Jermaine Phillips (Lakewood)
There was certainly a rhythm about Jermaine Phillips in this game. The 2019 6’1″ guard has fit right in after transferring over from Northeast this past summer. Phillips recorded 10 points which featured a pair of 3’s from the left corner on back to back possessions in the second quarter. A dangerous shooter with solid form, Phillips should be less unselfish and get more shots off moving forward to get his offense going.
Christian Perez (Lakewood Ranch)
Part of a deep group of shooters for the Mustangs, 2020 5’8″ guard Christian Perez can flat out hurt you from deep. All 10 of his points came on mid-range jumpers, but they were all longer shots. Perez fits perfectly with the style of offense that Lakewood Ranch employs. More often than not, Perez will be asked to make big shots alongside Buckley, Young and Shaneyfelt; the core.
Oteman Delancey & Jamille Reynolds (Lakewood)
For 2021 6’3″ guard Oteman Delancey, you can see the overall potential he has. Scoring eight points is nothing to brag about, but he does all the little things you want from a young core starter. Delancey is a bursty player who is always on the move and looking for the next play.
…2020 6’9″ forward Jamille Reynolds earned a visit from UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins for this game. Although, he didn’t get it going offensively (3 points), Reynolds was fierce defensively, blocking a trio of shots in the opening half and getting up for rebounds. His defensive prowess is certainly there.