Top Performers: I Have A Dream MLK Challenge (Part 2)

I took in parts of the three-day I Have A Dream Martin Luther King Jr. Challenge at Somerset Academy. The event is in its 3rd year and features some of the top teams in the South Florida area. Coordinator Marcus McGee does a tremendous job organizing the showcase, especially this year due to Covid-19. Let’s look into my observations...part two. Amen ThompsonAmenThompson6'5" | SGPine Crest | 2022State#147NationFL/Ausar ThompsonAusarThompson6'5" | SGPine Crest | 2022State#151NationFL - Pine Crest I thought last year the best prospect I saw was 2023 Matthew BewleyMatthewBewley6'9" | PFWest Oaks | 2023State#5NationFL. To be honest, I did not see the Thompson twins as much as I would have liked. With Bewley up at West Oaks Academy, I think Amen and Ausar are the best players in the area. Moreover, they are two of the best players in the state. The 6-foot-6 point guards combined to score 52 of the Panthers 78 points in a victory over Cypress Bay. The Pine Crest stars shared lobs at the rim off back-door cuts on the Lightning defense all night. Both twins have tremendous athleticism and dexterity with the ball in their possession. When attacking the rim, they can shift the basketball to either hand and finish through contact. Not to mention, their size and vertical allows them to grab rebounds off the glass. The flow of the offense runs through them, more so than skilled players at other positions. More importantly, they execute with precision in a set offense or in motion. The twins hold offers from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Florida State, Kansas, Howard, LSU and Oklahoma State. Jimel LaneJimelLane6'7" | PFMater Academy | 2022StateFL - Mater Academy 2022 Jimel LaneJimelLane6'7" | PFMater Academy | 2022StateFL continues to perform at a high level. The 6-foot-7 power forward scored 29 points in a 79-67 victory over Western. The former Coral Gables Cavalier has guard-like quickness when he runs the court in transition. Lane can also stretch the floor and score away from the rim with high efficiency. His natural explosion gives him the ability to finish above the rim as well. Lane is a riser as I have mentioned in the past. Matthew Newland - Archbishop McCarthy 2022 Matthew Newland is a prospect I am high on. The 6-foot-7 forward scored 12 points and grabbed ten rebounds in a 70-50 victory over Coral Springs. While those might not be glaring offensive numbers, Newland is extremely long and disruptive on both ends of the floor. On the season, Newland is averaging 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Moreover, he has blocked 30 shots (2.5 per game) thanks to his length. Marcus AllenMarcusAllen6'4" | SFWest Orange | 2021StateFL - Miami Norland 2024 Marcus AllenMarcusAllen6'4" | SFWest Orange | 2021StateFL is one of the best freshman in South Florida. The 6-foot-6 wing scored 23 points in a 30-point victory over North Miami. Allen is currently averaging 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field via available statistics. The Viking talent pairs well with 2022 wing Cameron JohnsonCameronJohnson6'5" | SFNorland | 2022StateFL in motion and the half court. Jamai Hager-TejadaJamaiHager-Tejada5'10" | CGMater Lakes | 2023StateFL - Mater Lakes 2023 Jamai Tejada is a killer on offense. The 5-foot-10 point guard scored 22 points in a 1-point victory over Western on Saturday. Moreover, Tejada has scored 20 or more points in four straight games. He has been more aggressive as of late, a sign of growing confidence in his game. On the season, Tejada is averaging 19.1 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. In a recent outing against Chaminade-Madonna, Tejada knocked down seven 3-pointers for 29 points. For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.