October News & Notes: South Florida
It might be October on the calendar, but it still feels like July with the weather. Hey, at least we can see basketball at the end of the tunnel. Most prospects are back in school in some capacity and gearing…
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Continue ReadingIt might be October on the calendar, but it still feels like July with the weather. Hey, at least we can see basketball at the end of the tunnel.
Most prospects are back in school in some capacity and gearing up for the high school season. Even with “summer” coming to an end, some big changes and news occurred over the last few weeks. I have done a few pieces like this over the last several months and would like to bundle the information for you to read in one place.
Without further adieu, let’s jump into the news that is pinning in South Florida.
Taylor Time
2022 Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL previewed what is to come at the Pressure Athletics main event in Deerfield. The 6-foot-9 power forward scored 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the KT Kings victory over Team Pressure. The powerful double-double came against the likes of 2021 Josh Minott Josh Minott 6'9" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 State #30 Nation FL and 2022 Ben Middlebrooks. I have been impressed with Hendricks ever since his freshman season at University School. The former Shark hit a game-winner that season over Westminster Christian while averaging 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. You could tell off that game that Hendricks has confidence and big game moxy. With the departure of Vernon Carey Jr. to Duke and Scottie Barnes Scottie Barnes 6'8" | SF Montverde Academy | 2020 State #12 Nation FL to Montverde, Hendricks got a chance to display his talent as a sophomore. The D-1 prospect averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds while leading the Sharks to a 19-7 record. Programs such as Virginia Tech, Florida State, Florida, LSU and Miami have offered him. Now at Calvary Christian, Hendricks looks to extend his talent on a loaded Eagles squad. I think with players like 2023 Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL and Carl Cherenfant, Calvary Christian is going to be fun in transition with Hendricks as a benefactor.
Carey On
Did I just talk about 2023 Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL ? Well, things have changed for him in about a week. The 6-foot-8 power forward has left University School to play for Westminster Academy. Carey joins new teammates Ben Middlebrooks, Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL and Kaleb Walters on the powerhouse program. I do not believe Carey is going to have a tough time adjusting or building chemistry with his new team. A lot of these guys play with or against each other over the summer. The Westminster Academy program is as prestigious as any school we have in South Florida. Building off that, Carey has cut weight since last appearing on the high school court. The sophomore still has the strength of a truck and might flash his post skills this season like a Ferrari now. I think the Lions guards are particularly happy to have him in the fold.
Charter Up
Pembroke Pines Charter is looking to replace some heavy losses to graduation. The Jaguars went 26-3 and reached the 5A state final in Lakeland behind 2020 Dallas Graziani Dallas Graziani 5'7" | CG Pembroke Pines Charter | 2020 State FL and Osei Price Osei Price 6'4" | CG Pembroke Pines | 2020 State FL . Graziani will continue to play at Nova Southeastern while Price is doing a post-grad at South Kent in Connecticut. The team also lost a versatile wing in 6-foot-6 Amarachi Ujagbor Amarachi Ujagbor 6'6" | PF Pembroke Pines | 2020 State FL . While some teams might look to rebuild, the Jaguars can recover with 2022 Geoffrey Sprouse Geoffrey Sprouse 5'11" | CG Pines Charter | 2022 State FL and 2021 Javen Flowers-Smith Javen Flowers-Smith 6'1" | PG Salem | 2021 State GA back in the mix. Adding into the fold will now be 2022 Caelum Ethridge Caelum Ethridge 6'3" | SG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL . The 6-foot-3 guard recently announced his intention to transfer from University School to the program. Like Carey, Ethridge has transformed his body and packed on some serious muscle. The former Shark has shown flashes of his spot-up shooting ability and has a crafty handle. I think Ethridge slots in as another weapon to spread the floor and knock down shots from the outside. I am interested to see how he works in his frame onto the floor.
King Me
2022 Kolby King Kolby King 6'2" | PG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL has also transferred to Pembroke Pines Charter. The former Blanche Ely Tiger averaged 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season. As you can see with his stats, King does a bit of everything on the floor. From my observations, King is a premier hustle and heart player. I thought his play last season against Stranahan was one of the more gritty performances I witnessed on the season. The 6-foot King played like a forward with his effort on the glass. The Jaguars are getting a great teammate and floor leader.
Other Notes: 2021 star Justin Neely has transferred to West Oaks Academy.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.