Standouts: 2020 Mosaic Stinger Shootout
Running an event at any point in the season isn’t the simplest task, but the staff and volunteers at Bartow High made it look easy this weekend for the 2020 Mosaic Stinger Shootout. Great hospitality from start to finish and…
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Continue ReadingRunning an event at any point in the season isn’t the simplest task, but the staff and volunteers at Bartow High made it look easy this weekend for the 2020 Mosaic Stinger Shootout. Great hospitality from start to finish and it was surely something everyone was happy with.
The annual event featured 12 games, including eight that I watched on a busy Saturday slate to wrap up the FHSAA regular season.
Here are the results.
Santa Fe Catholic 60, Lake Highland Prep 56
Bartow 80, Osceola 50
Sebring 60, Blake 52
Winter Haven 55, Lakewood Ranch 46
George Jenkins 45, Hillsborough 32
Charlotte 62, Auburndale 56
Suwannee 62, Victory Christian 52
Tampa Bay Tech 81, Avon Park 46
Here is a look at the day as a whole.
Standout Performers
Tre Carroll & John Gamble (Charlotte)
Charlotte was playing without its senior class (due to SAT testing) including a trio of key pieces: guard Tyrik Gainer, Faustin-Ruben Phanor and Luke Ulmaniac. Top two pieces 2020 6’7″ guard/forward Tre Carroll (24 points) and 2023 6’4″ guard John Gamble (25 points) did all they could to carry the Fightin’ Tarpons to a victory over Auburndale. Carroll was superb with the ball in his hands and as a finisher around the cup. That was the grittiest performance I’ve seen from him. Gamble is a freak athlete, who is still too fast for his own good, but his natural talents allow him to do some creative things as a shooter and scorer. The sky is the limit for this group as they look to make a run in the Class 6A playoffs.
Alvin Tumblin (Sebring)
Perhaps one of the most underrated talents in the entire state is 2021 6’5″ forward Alvin Tumblin. Finishing with 28 points in a win over Blake, he was beyond active crashing the boards, getting tip-ins and put backs and simply making smart decisions as a passer in transition. Tumblin is filled with length and power and his speed matches up nicely as well. Look for him to give the Blue Streaks a chance in the Class 5A postseason.
Emanuel Sharp (Blake)
Prior to Saturday, Blake had won 13 of its last 14 games dating back to Dec. 21. 2022 6’4″ guard Emanuel Sharp was doing his usual all-around scoring for the Yellow Jackets in a loss to Sebring. Blake led 21-16 at the half in a low scoring affair but the game got more life in the third quarter and on. Sharp netted 33 points just below his 33.3 PPG average on the season. He was attacking the basket with his crafty finishes and hitting 3’s on shots he created on his own. His body is getting stronger and he is in for a big summer ahead after the Class 5A playoffs.
Brice Sensabaugh (Lake Highland Prep)
The transfer of 2022 6’5″ guard Brice Sensabaugh from Hagerty has been essential to Lake Highland Prep’s success this season. The sophomore added 20 points before exiting midway through the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a bad cramp/leg injury in the loss to Santa Fe Catholic. He is part of a deep group of lengthy athletes, who are fast, smart and talented ballhandlers. Sensabaugh is the top shooter on his side and that was on display with 2021 6’7″ forward Gabriel Ferguson (injured) and 2022 5’9″ guard Jared Berry (at North Carolina honoring his brother Joel’s jersey retirement ceremony). Lake Highland Prep is going to make a run in Class 4A.
Nicolas McClain (Suwannee)
This was the first I’ve seen Suwannee since the summer and 2020 6’4″ guard Nicolas McClain proved his worth from the start for the Bulldogs. A transfer from Hamilton County, the younger brother of former Belmont University standout Kevin McClain, Nicolas can hold his own as a spot up shooter, creator and transition piece. He had a rock solid 27-point game which included four 3’s in the opening half. No offers have come yet for McClain but he says that Chattanooga, St. Bonaventure, Eastern Washington, Clayton State and Southeastern have all shown interest. He’d be a steal for any college program looking for a true two-guard.
Javon Bell (Santa Fe Catholic)
2020 6’3″ guard Javon Bell has been shooting well all season long and his 20-point outing was just enough in the hard fought win over Lake Highland Prep. Santa Fe Catholic runs the whole game, rarely getting tired and Bell is the top offensive weapon with his jumper and ability to keep defenses off balance. Headed to the State College of Florida, he is a fine talent.
Joshua Simons (Bartow)
One of the hardest working undersized big men that I’ve ever seen, 2020 6’3″ forward Joshua Simons never backs down from a challenge. He had 17 points in the convincing win over Kissimmee Osceola. His active play down low and pure strength get him going. Simons is a winner who a Division II/NAIA or JUCO program would be wise to look at now.
Intriguing Prospects
Rolijah Hardy & Tyler Williams (Winter Haven)
Winter Haven has prospects in the making all over the place. A trio of 2023 kids are going to be problems in the near future for the Blue Devils which include: 6’4″ guard Tyler Williams, 5’11” guard Rolijah Hardy and 6’7″ forward Dylan James. Williams is an all-around prospect already who had seven points, five rebounds and five assists. He is a determined guard who can move the ball all over the place. Hardy had 12 points and is a very good attacker filled with burst. James is still coming along off the bench as he had just three points. He is the younger brother of North Florida forward Dorian James.
Jay’Den Clarke-Jones (Lakewood Ranch)
Lakewood Ranch has been hit with injuries and roster changes and it has opened up a gigantic opportunity for some younger players. One player who looks to be ready to take the next step forward is 2022 Jay’Den Clarke-Jones. He had 17 points in the loss to Winter Haven and time and time again, when the Mustangs needed a bucket, he was up for the task. I really like the focus and ballhandling ability that Clarke-Jones plays with and if he can get on a good AAU program, he’ll take his game to another level this summer.
Sean Stewart (Lake Highland Prep)
Just a freshman, 2023 6’7″ forward Sean Stewart has the looks of a true Division I talent. With seven points and six rebounds, he made Lake Highland Prep look really long overall. He is active in transition, gets inside and certainly brings a ton of energy. Stewart has room to add muscle and develop a more consistent jump shot, but his effort level is very high already.
Jerrod Johnson (Auburndale)
Another young prospect that made steady contributions on the day was at Auburndale with 2023 6′ guard Jerrod Johnson. He posted 15 points in the loss to Charlotte and was taking a lot of chances on the attack and it worked out. Johnson is filled with burst and his ability to finish inside really paces this fast Bloodhounds squad.
Steady Outings
Ronnie Johnson & Zion Green (Tampa Bay Tech)
2021 duo Ronnie Johnson (23 points) and Zion Green (15 points) combined for 38 points in a convincing win over Avon Park. Both players took advantage of turnovers and won battles on the break to score with lay-ins.
Victor Brown (Lake Highland Prep)
The top 2020 threat for Lake Highland Prep, 6’4″ guard Victor Brown had 17 points in the loss to Santa Fe Catholic. He kept his team around late, getting to the free throw line and connecting on key mid-range jumpers.
Malachi Howard (Winter Haven)
The heart and soul of Winter Haven is 2020 6’4″ guard Malachi Howard. He had 16 points in the victory over Lakewood Ranch and he earns his living in the paint.
Alex Vigo & Walter Clayton (Bartow)
Bartow had a fun day and 2021 guard pair Alex Vigo (14 points) and Walter Clayton (11 points), both had plenty of contributions to the cause. Vigo continues to be a reliable knockdown shooter while Clayton is a gifted talent who is at his best dishing out passes and getting to the rack.
Adarius Lee (George Jenkins)
A true competitor, 2020 5’8″ guard Adarius Lee doesn’t care about size or who is facing him, he will try to score on you. He had 13 points in a low scoring tilt against Hillsborough.
Tyriq James (Hillsborough)
15 points came from 2020 6’3″ guard Tyriq James in the loss to George Jenkins. Fellow senior Cantia Rahming fouled out early in the fourth quarter so it was up to James to try to get the Terriers back in it. He did all he could with his jumpers.