Marreese Speights Summer League: Day 2 Notebook
The second night of the 2nd annual Marreese Speights Summer League featured some new teams and a few really close matchups. Here is a look at the standout performers from the Wednesday slate. ICYMI: Day 1 Notebook (Monday) Speights Summer…
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Continue ReadingThe second night of the 2nd annual Marreese Speights Summer League featured some new teams and a few really close matchups.
Here is a look at the standout performers from the Wednesday slate.
ICYMI: Day 1 Notebook (Monday)
Speights Summer League results for June 5th:
Lakewood 62 Seminole 44
Bayshore 40 Northeast 35
Countryside 67 Anclote 61
Boca Ciega 58 Palm Harbor 57
East Lake 71 Calvary 48@Mospeights16 @JakePerper @FloridaHoops @BobbyHomeTeam @PinellasSports— Gibbs High BBall (@gibbshighbball) June 6, 2019
Dionte Blanch (East Lake)
In his summer league debut, 2020 6’4″ guard Dionte Blanch showed why he’s the best scorer in Pinellas County and perhaps the entire Tampa Bay/Clearwater area. He dropped 32 points in an all-around performance against Calvary Christian. Blanch never took his foot off the gas and was finishing inside with his high-level dribble-drive moves. His jumper was also there tonight. When he’s going like that, he’s very hard to slow down. Blanch is a quiet and determined athlete who is going to earn some more Division I offers in July. FGCU, Murray State, Georgia Southern, Louisiana Tech, Appalachian State and Missouri State have all offered so far.
Anthony Bittar (Countryside)
Talk about a breakout performance. 2021 6’3″ guard Anthony Bittar settled into his first game with Countryside on Monday and had a good second half. This time around, it was clear Bittar was confident and he settled in quickly against Anclote. Bittar had a 19-point first half, getting out on the break for dunks and finishes and drilling 3-pointers from all over the floor. A transfer from Oldsmar Christian, Bittar is in line for a monster season if he continues to play with maturity and quick decision making. The upside is high for him. Fellow 2021 6’0″ guard Mikey Shane continues to pour it on for deep as well for the Cougars.
Oteman Delancy, Elijah Jackson & Jamille Reynolds (Lakewood)
Lakewood lost in the Class 6A state championship to Stranahan this past season and the Spartans should be contenders once again. Behind 2020 6’10” forward Jamille Reynolds, 2021 6’4″ guard Oteman Delancy and 2020 6’2″ guard Elijah Jackson, Lakewood has scorers in place. All three guys reached double digit points in the win over Seminole. Reynolds was key on the boards and with his hook shot and putback ability. Delancy was shooting well and getting inside while Jackson showed off his impressive 3-point ability. Another key piece is 2021 6’0″ guard Anthony Perkins, a gifted shooter who transferred in from Canterbury.
Jakob Hester (Anclote)
Mentioned previously on Monday night, 2020 6’6″ forward Jakob Hester had a ton of determination in his second game this week. His shots weren’t falling in the first half against Countryside, but he was taking smart jumpers and getting to good areas on the floor. Hester put on a show in the second half, routinely fighting on the boards and hitting a plethora of big jumpers to keep his time in the game. Countryside won in the end, but Hester did all he could to keep the game close.
Parker Conitz (Seminole)
In the opening tilt, Seminole went back and forth with a highly athletic Lakewood team. Led by 2020 6’3″ guard Parker Conitz, the Warhawks had a ton of poise and toughness all game long. Eventually, Lakewood wore Seminole down and pulled away in the end, but it was awfully impressive what Conitz was able to do defensively. He was snatching boards left and right and weaving inside for buckets, drawing contact on top of that. The two-way guard continues to get better and better.
Bryce Brewer (Bayshore)
On an undersized Bayshore group, 2020 6’4″ forward Bryce Brewer does most of the dirty work for his squad. In a win over Northeast, he was working on the boards on both ends of the floor and using his strength to attack the rim. Brewer does his job the right way and can certainly mix it up defensively as a shot blocker. Look for him to be a double double candidate nightly for the Bruins.
Tristan Gross (Calvary Christian)
This was a great learning opportunity for 2023 6’0″ guard Tristan Gross on Wednesday evening. With 2020 6’7″ guard Josh Berenbaum out of town at an elite camp, Gross took over the backcourt and a ton of responsibility for a young Calvary Christian squad. The sharpshooter finished with 13 points. The Warriors hung tough with an East Lake team that fell one game short of the Class 8A state tournament this past season. Gross is earning big reps and by the time the regular season rolls around, it will be a very smooth transition for the rising freshman.
2020 East Lake G Dionte Blanch is not messing around. @iBlanchDionte @ELHS_Basketball @Mospeights16 pic.twitter.com/GaqyLIjSAI
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) June 6, 2019