XBL Fall League: Saturday Notebook
I stopped over to the XPL Fall League at Faith Outreach Academy to take in seven games between high school teams on Saturday. The league had plenty of talent in place and should become a staple in the Tampa Bay…
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Continue ReadingI stopped over to the XPL Fall League at Faith Outreach Academy to take in seven games between high school teams on Saturday.
The league had plenty of talent in place and should become a staple in the Tampa Bay area.
Here is a look at the top performers.
Karter Knox Karter Knox 6'6" | SG Tampa Catholic | 2024 #6 Nation GA & Eddrin Bronson│Tampa Catholic
It was quite a nightcap as Tampa Catholic held off Bayshore Christian. A young Crusaders group who graduated its entire starting five now features 2023 6-2 guard Eddrin Bronson and 2024 6-4 guard Karter Knox Karter Knox 6'6" | SG Tampa Catholic | 2024 #6 Nation GA . Bronson was in full command leading the charge and he was attacking at will. He led the team with 21 points. As for Knox, the youngest brother to Kevin and Kobe, he proved he is ready to grow up fast. He had 17 points and time and time again handled the rock and finished at the rim. Knox should mature quickly this season for a speedy Tampa Catholic team. Both players are packed with potential.
Tony Livingston Tony Livingston 6'6" | CG King | 2022 State FL │6-6│Carrollwood Day
Playing for a ‘Team Blessed Productions’ consisting of local athletes, Livingston came off the gridiron Friday night and made it look easy on his way to 20 points in a win. He had one take where he took the ball in transition and spun past a defender to finish. Livingston is a big body with a smooth game when he drives. His teammate, 2021 5-10 Surge Christian guard CJ Devine was blazing fast and a problem with his craftiness as a shooter and driver.
Oteman Delancy Oteman Delancy 6'5" | SF Lakewood | 2021 State FL & Elijah Stephens│Lakewood
Lakewood still has athletes in place and 2021 pair, 6-3 guard Elijah Stephens had a team-best 22 points and 6-5 guard/forward Oteman Delancy Oteman Delancy 6'5" | SF Lakewood | 2021 State FL had 19 points. Jackson was consistent all game long and made big buckets inside and out. Delancy is a long body who really turned it on in the second half and went to the rack where he thrives the most in my opinion. Also, 2023 5-10 guard Montravious Lloyd flashed his toughness and is someone who should be rock solid this season.
Deon Brown Deon Brown 6'1" | CG Bayshore Christian | 2021 State FL & Christian Rolack Christian Rolack 6'4" | CG Bayshore Christian | 2021 State FL │Bayshore Christian
Shooting has always been the top strength for 2021 6-1 Bayshore Christian guard Deon Brown Deon Brown 6'1" | CG Bayshore Christian | 2021 State FL . It was no different on Saturday night against Tampa Catholic as he finished with a team-high 21 points. He tacked on five 3’s including a trio of them as his side kept it close late. Another key piece for Bayshore Christian in this one was Christian Rolack Christian Rolack 6'4" | CG Bayshore Christian | 2021 State FL . The 2021 6-2 guard (transfer from Robinson) had 17 points and was aggressive and tough inside.
Jasiah Anthony Taylor Jasiah Anthony Taylor 5'11" | SG Strawberry Crest | 2022 State FL │5-10 │ Strawberry Crest
Transferring over from Jesuit, 2022 guard Jasiah Anthony Taylor Jasiah Anthony Taylor 5'11" | SG Strawberry Crest | 2022 State FL did nearly everything for Strawberry Crest in a win over Ruskin Christian in the opening game. He was rebounding, attacking, shooting at a high clip and simply pushing the cause. Taylor finished with 18 points and simply plays bigger than his frame.
Brandon Swann & Karmani Gregory Karmani Gregory 6'0" | CG Southeast | 2022 State FL │Braden River
2022 6-0 Braden River pair Brandon Swann and Karmani Gregory Karmani Gregory 6'0" | CG Southeast | 2022 State FL combined for 25 points in a close win over St. Pete. Swann impressed me with his burst, court awareness and overall savviness on the offensive end. Gregory finessed his way inside, finished with ease and simply controlled the pace for Braden River. He is a calming presence for his group.
Ray Perry Ray Perry 6'0" | CG St. Pete | 2021 State FL │5-11│ St. Pete
In full control of the St. Pete offense, Perry was determined as ever in the close loss to Braden River. He is a strong and confident point guard who gets everyone involved. He makes crafty passes and simply makes plays.
Mark Mulfinger & Joel Harrison Joel Harrison 5'11" | CG Wharton | 2023 State FL │XPL 1
XPL 1 consisted of local area players as 2021 6-3 Berkeley Prep guard/forward Mark Mulfinger (14 points) and 2023 6-0 Carrollwood Day guard Joel Harrison Joel Harrison 5'11" | CG Wharton | 2023 State FL (10 points) were the top scorers in the game against Team Blessed Productions. Mulfinger was cleaning up misses and hitting the mid-range. Harrison is a lightning bolt in transition and once he adds strength, he will be well on his way. Two other names from this outing both scored nine points: 2022 6-4 Newsome guard Josiah Flowers is a steady shooter and 2023 5-10 Sickles guard Chris Foreman Chris Foreman 5'10" | PG Sickles | 2023 FL is a smart and savvy lead point man.
Other names to know:
Austin Gay & Kamrin Oriol Kamrin Oriol 6'2" | PG Admiral Farragut | 2022 State FL │Admiral Farragut
2022 duo, 5-11 guard Austin Gay and 6-2 guard Kamrin Oriol Kamrin Oriol 6'2" | PG Admiral Farragut | 2022 State FL were the top pieces for Admiral Farragut. It was Gay who hit the big shots when his side needed life. He led his team with 11 points. Oriol was crafty per usual as a ballhandler and creator.
Jalen Gallman Jalen Gallman 6'0" | CG Bloomingdale | 2021 State FL & Jaelyn Thurman│Bloomingdale
Bloomingdale has a lot of energy and with 2021 5-11 guard Jalen Gallman Jalen Gallman 6'0" | CG Bloomingdale | 2021 State FL creating, this offense has some upside. He is a flashy ballhandler who shoots confidently and pushes the cause. 2024 6-4 forward Jaelyn Thurman is a young player to keep an eye on with his combination of size and strength.
Caleb Gatewood │6-3│Home School
For the LAB, Caleb Gatewood is a name to remember. The 2024 forward is a long body that can really mix it up on both ends. He is still figuring out where he is going to play hoops this fall as he is currently homeschooled.
Malik Banks │5-11│Southeast
An intriguing shooter I saw from the day was Malik Banks. The 5-11 Southeast guard shot it a high clip and used his quick release to hit from outside often.
2023 Tampa Catholic guard Eddrin Bronson (@Eddr1nBronson) with the two-handed slam. @tampacathhoops @BayAreaHoopsfl @IssaBucketPro pic.twitter.com/CSOeLMqEEj
— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) October 4, 2020