Top Performers: City of Palms Classic (Day 5 – Part 1)
The busiest City of Palms Classic day came here on Friday (Day 5) with five games including a 9 a.m. ET tip-off with Sarasota Riverview and South Carolina Immaculate Conception.
Here are the results:
South Carolina Gray Collegiate 81, Riverview 78
New Jersey Immaculate Conception 61, Miami Christian 56
Missouri Vashon 53, D.C. Woodrow Wilson 51
Mississippi Olive Branch 74, Virginia Paul VI 72
IMG 88, University 51
Charlotte 71, Osceola 67
Pennsylvania Imhotep 70, Oak Hill 60
Georgia McEachern 50, Alabama Mountain Brook 29
Now a look at Part 1 of the top performers on the day.
Malachi Wideman (Riverview)
In the first game of the day, 2020 Riverview 6’5″ guard Malachi Wideman was focused from the jump against South Carolina Gray Collegiate. The junior athlete dropped 33 points which included 10 in the first quarter alone. He was routinely getting to good areas inside and hitting mid-range shots. Wideman fought all game for his team as they fell in double overtime with one second left. All in all, it was a successful week for Wideman who averaged 22 points per game in three matchups and was a finalist in the Slam Dunk Contest.
Donta Scott (Pennsylvania Imhotep)
A night after taking down the defending tournament champions, University, 2019 forward Donta Scott helped Imhotep pull off another upset, this time over Virginia Oak Hill. The Maryland commit scored a team-high 25 points and was consistent all night long, driving and shooting from the mid-range. He’s a superb ballhandler who has been very hard to slow down all week long. He’s going to be one heck of a collegiate player and beyond.
Khalil Robinson & Tommy Brunner (Gray Collegiate)
All week long, the 2019 guard duo of Khalil Robinson and Tommy Bruner gave defenses fits with their offensive ability. Even on Saturday at the City of Palms Premiere at Lehigh, the two speedy guards created issues for the opposing defense. Bruner (18 points) is a strong minded attacker who can heat up at any time. Robinson (26 points) had the game-winner with one second in double overtime against Riverview (VIDEO) and for much of the day was the best player on the floor. Robinson told me after the game that he has offers from Howard and South Carolina State and is also drawing heavy interest from USC Upstate.
Cam’Ron Fletcher (Missouri Vashon)
In a close win over Woodrow Wilson, 2020 6’7″ forward Cam’Ron Fletcher recorded 23 points and six rebounds, shooting efficiently 8-of-13 from the field. Scoring only five points in the second half none were bigger than a 3-pointer in the left corner with just over two minutes left. Fletcher had 18 points at the half which included 4-of-5 from deep. Strangely, he took zero 3-point attempts in the second half as the defense closed in on him.
Elijah Hutchins-Everett (Immaculate Conception)
I was highly impressed with 2020 6’10” forward Elijah Hutchins-Everett this week, especially on Friday. The junior big man is elusive and can make things happen from the mid-range area as a shooter or attacker. Hutchins-Everett posted a 23-point, 14-rebound outing, hitting 9-of-14 shots from the field in a scrappy win over Miami Christian. If he can get stronger, I don’t see how he won’t be a hot commodity for all college programs.
Makhel Mitchell & Makhi Mitchell (D.C. Woodrow Wilson)
The Mitchell twins once again were active and in sync. Both Maryland commits, Makhel added 15 points and eight boards (6-of-8 shooting) while Makhi totaled 14 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four blocks, finishing as the lone player to be on the court for all 32 minutes. The energy was impressive from the Mitchell’s, especially on the defensive boards and on tip-ins.
Jaden Springer (IMG)
So much spark came from 2020 guard Jaden Springer in the commanding victory over University. He finished 6-of-11 with 16 points, six assists in 23 minutes on the floor. Next to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Josh Green and Armando Bacot, all four players reached double digits and made life tough for the defending tournament champion Sharks. Springer was focused and active on both ends and play with endless passion.
IMG head coach Sean McAloon and 2019 forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova commit) break down the Ascenders bounce back win over University. @CityOfPalmsBKB @coachmacimg @_JCRE_ @Treydraper3 #CityofPalms pic.twitter.com/fZ6mrqzIQd
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) December 21, 2018
Isaiah Palermo (Osceola)
Despite his team going 0-3 this week, 2019 forward Isaiah Palermo has battled in each and every game. He posted a 17 point, eight-rebound day in a four point loss to Charlotte in a Challenge Round game on Friday. Palermo does a little of everything in terms of attacking, shooting and overall effort. Also notable for Osceola, 2019 guard Jaduhkiss Soto had 14 points and seven rebounds. 2021 guard Josh Blazquez started in place of 2019 guard Josh Marte (knee injury) and had 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting.