Standouts: Southern Shootout (Day One)
Over at Westminster Academy, the Southern Shootout kicked off a two-day event with six teams. The six teams participating on day one were: Mater Lakes Academy, Cardinal Gibbons, Sagemont, Blanche Ely, Chaminade-Madonna and host school Westminster Academy. Here are the…
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Continue ReadingOver at Westminster Academy, the Southern Shootout kicked off a two-day event with six teams. The six teams participating on day one were: Mater Lakes Academy, Cardinal Gibbons, Sagemont, Blanche Ely, Chaminade-Madonna and host school Westminster Academy.
Here are the scores:
Mater Lakes Academy 64
Cardinal Gibbons 57
Sagemont 48
Blanche Ely 57
Westminster Academy 56
Chaminade-Madonna 62
Southern Shootout day one standouts:
- Ben Middlebrooks: Westminster Academy – The best overall performance of the night came from Middlebrooks. The six-foot-eight (2022) power forward had 25 points and nine rebounds. Before two desperate heaves late, the 215-pound Middlebrooks connected on five-of-seven 3-pointers. For most of the game Middlebrooks was matched up with Chaminade-Madonna big man Andre Weir. Weir just recently decommitted from Northeastern University. The match-up reminded me of Christian Laettner of Duke vs. Shaquille O’Neil of LSU in 1992 (look it up, young kids). Middlebrooks was able to draw Weir outside, hitting big three-pointers on the six-foot-ten (2020) power forward/center. On one play, Middlebrooks used his quickness to drive in the lane, spinning around Weir for a tough layup off the glass. It was a fabulous match-up between two soon to be collegiate athletes.
- Johnny O’Neil: Chaminade-Madonna – I am not sure if O’Neil was extra motivated after missing the game-winner in the Lions previous match-up against Schoolhouse Prep, but the six-foot-eight (2020) forward sure did show it. O’Neil got off to a blazing start, connecting on two early 3-pointers to finish with a team tying 16 points on the night. Just recently, O’Neil picked up an offer from Robert Morris University. What makes O’Neil dangerous is his ability to stretch the floor while also grabbing rebounds to score inside. The senior also finished with five rebounds and will be nice addition to a college program who lands him.
- Derrick Lovett: Blanche Ely – The six-foot-five (2022) forward played big early on in the absence of recently transferred Dudley Blackwell from Huntington Prep (W.Va.). Lovett scored ten of his 15 points in the first half and was very active around the rim. Listed at 195 pounds, Lovett might be a bit bigger and certainty plays that way on the floor for the Tigers. He was a huge reason why the Tigers stormed back on Sagemont High School, holding the Lions to two points in the final quarter.
- Raphael Houssou: Sagemont – The six-foot-one (2021) guard was fantastic against the Tigers, scoring a team high 19-points to go along with two 3-pointers. Houssou was the main reason the Lions jumped out to a 20-point lead on a very talented Tigers group. Houssou is a quick guard with a strong ability to get to the basket.
- Isiah Edden– Cardinal Gibbons – The leading scorer on day one of the showcase was Edden, who poured in 26 points and seven rebounds. Listed at five-foot-ten, the (2020) point guard was extremely active on the glass. Edden seamed to have a tenacity to him when the ball came off the rim. Offensively, Edden did a little bit of everything including a nice reverse layup as well as a 3-pointer to get his final line. He was one of the tougher kids on the night.
- Dominic Rivera – Mater Lakes – DO NOT let the glasses fool you, Rivera is a lethal outside shooter. The (2020) senior guard was red hot from the outside, connecting on four 3-pointers to finish with 19 points. Rivera is what I would like to call a “quite assassin”. You might not expect it walking in but if you leave him open Rivera is going to pile up points in a hurry. With a talented back-court that includes guards Anthony Floyd and Jamai Taylor, Rivera could be left wide open if both players can penetrate a defense. Be sure to know he will do the rest for the Bears.
For any South Florida hoops news or information please contact Michael Costeines on Instagram @Steins_23 or follow him on twitter @Mungertown_Mike23