November News & Notes: South Florida
Practices are starting to fire up across South Florida. I will be tweeting/reporting at selective schools in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out on our twitter feed for this information. It is an exciting time if you are a fan of high school basketball across the area.
As always, the wheel keeps on turning in regards to South Florida hoops. I would like to catch everyone up on some new information that has come across my attention.
Gold Standard
6-foot-5 forward Tristan Goldstein Tristan Goldstein 6'6" | PF Cypress Bay | 2021 State FL recently picked up an offer from Marietta College (GA). Goldstein has returned home to Cypress Bay after spending time at St. Thomas Aquinas for his junior year. Goldstein averaged 16 points per game for the Raiders and is a very tough kid. Part of that moxy comes from his lacrosse background and extremely diligent work ethic. Moreover, Goldstein brings more length and shooting ability into the Lightning lineup.
Thompson’s On Top
2022 Pine Crest twins Amen & Ausar Thompson picked up an offer from St. John’s today. The Red Storm are the latest in a long line of offers for the 6-foot-6 combo guards. Dayton is another program to extend an offer at the start of the month. With prospects moving around the state, the pair vault right up as two of the best players in the area. I spoke with an assistant coach over the summer who believes both are undervalued on most national ranking systems. It seems hard to sleep on two guards with their size and athleticism. They have plenty of more time to prove any doubters wrong.
Taylor Time
6-foot-9 power forward Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL recently secured an offer from Yale University. The Bulldogs are the latest Ivy League school to reach out, following Penn back in late October. The lengthy Calvary Christian postman should dominate alongside a spectacular group of teammates for the Eagles. Hendricks should be an elite problem in transition and play above the rim. His measurements also make him a superb rim protector and a disruption for opposing teams in passing sets. Look for him to take advantage in both of these areas with his natural length and athleticism. Book Hendricks and 2023 Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL to partake in a few lob dunks that might end up somewhere on YouTube.
Roderick Run
Keep tabs on 6-foot-5 Roderick Johnson Roderick Johnson 6'4" | PF Dwyer | 2021 State FL out of Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens. The 2021 wing picked up an offer from D-II D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Johnson averaged a team-best 12.6 and 7.7 rebounds per game for the Panthers last season. Dwyer is coming of a 23-5 overall record and a big senior season from Johnson could lead to more offers. Walker has the physical frame of a football player on the court and is a good student with a 3.0 GPA.
Sky Walker
6-foot-6 Chris Walker Chris Walker 6'6" | SG Wellington | 2021 State FL has the look of a big time guard at the college level. Teams in the Sun Belt should now be on notice as he has signed with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Walker is a premier player for both Wellington High School and across Palm Beach County. Opponents are simply going to have a tough time matching up with him on both sides of the court. I like him as a player to watch to win county player of the year honors.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.