Ranking Lakeland: South Florida
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The final four across each Florida class is set to embark on Lakeland this week. I would like to analyze some of the top South Florida players in a ranking system. This is a very hard list to comply. I…
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Continue ReadingThe final four across each Florida class is set to embark on Lakeland this week. I would like to analyze some of the top South Florida players in a ranking system. This is a very hard list to comply. I think you can make solid cases for a number of players in the top half (5-10) of this list.
Note: The 7A semifinal matchup between Columbus and Western will be played tonight. 2021 RJ Luis would make this list *if* the Explorers win. He has been one of the best scoring (23 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg) guards in Miami-Dade County this season.
10). Gunner Walters – Grandview Prep
2021 Gunner Walters leads the Pride in scoring (17.6 ppg) and has Grandview Prep on a 11-game winning streak heading into their matchup with Orlando Christian Prep. The 6-foot point guard scored a season-high 32 points against Jupiter Christian back in December. The Pride have two losses and he played well in both of them. Moreover, Walters scored 17 points apiece against North Broward Prep, Boyd Anderson and Miami Country Day. Those three teams combined for a 35-21 record.
9) Carl Cherenfant Carl Cherenfant 6'4" | CG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #68 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
2023 Carl Cherenfant Carl Cherenfant 6'4" | CG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #68 Nation FL is a prospect only getting better. The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game on 41 percent shooting on a national schedule. He has the athleticism to push the initiative downhill and a solid mid-range game. I like his length at the position and ability to rebound as well. He holds offers from LSU and Western Kentucky.
8) Geoffrey Sprouse Geoffrey Sprouse 5'11" | CG Pines Charter | 2022 State FL – Pembroke Pines Charter
2021 Geoffrey Sprouse Geoffrey Sprouse 5'11" | CG Pines Charter | 2022 State FL has been consistent all season for the Jaguars. Against Miami Norland, Sprouse scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds. Overall, he is averaging a team-best 15.6 points per game and has scored in double-figures in every contest this season. Sprouse scored 24 points and knocked down four 3-pointers against 3A final four representative Miami Country Day. He is part of a strong group of guards that includes 2022’s Kolby King Kolby King 6'2" | PG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL and Caelum Ethridge Caelum Ethridge 6'3" | SG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL . Both of those players can put up similar numbers on any given night.
7) Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL – Miami Country Day
2023 Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL has all the attributes you want at the guard position. The 6-foot-5 Spartan is averaging 20.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for Miami Country Day. Miles has room to improve on his efficiency, but the talent is evident. I think his best basketball is far ahead of him. Therefore, I feel the Spartans have yet to play their best game. Miles can start the conversation with a big showing in the final four.
6) Gregg Glenn Gregg Glenn 6'7" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #161 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
2022 Gregg Glenn Gregg Glenn 6'7" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #161 Nation FL can be No.1 on this list on some nights. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the field for the Eagles. He scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against IMG Academy (20-2) back in December. Against Milton (25-2), Glenn had 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He struggled when I witnessed him play against St. Andrew’s (8 pts) in-part due to early follow trouble. Glenn still managed to be efficient in other ways in the victory (passing/defense). I want to see him dominate up in Lakeland after falling short of a championship last season. The spotlight on him is high because he is ranked as a top 75 player nationally. He is a 4-star recruit with offers from numerous D-1 programs. I am just wondering his position at the next level. Tweener?
5) Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
2023 Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL is a compact guard with tremendous athleticism in the backcourt. The 6-foot-4 Allen is averaging 14.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season for the Eagles. His ability to split a defense comes with great footwork and agility. Against Montverde Academy (20-1), Allen scored 24 points on 8-of-15 from the field. Moreover, he went 3-of-4 from deep in that contest. He had 16 points and grabbed six rebound on 6-of-13 shooting from the field against IMG Academy. Allen holds offers from USF, LSU and Virginia Tech. I think the competition he has faced will strengthen his game tenfold moving forward.
4) Jimel Lane Jimel Lane 6'7" | PF Palmetto | 2022 State FL – Mater Academy Charter
2022 Jimel Lane Jimel Lane 6'7" | PF Palmetto | 2022 State FL might be the biggest riser on this list. The 6-foot-7 power forward is averaging 19.9 points and 5.7 rebounds for the 20-2 Lions. An argument can be made he is the best player on the best team in Miami-Dade County. Lane has tremendous athleticism and ability to score from the wing as well. He scored 23 and grabbed nine rebounds against state ranked Calvary Christian Academy. In addition, Lane scored 35 points against Mater Lakes and was one of the top scorers at the Kreul Classic back in December. Against previously undefeated Martin County, he scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Lane holds offers from Barry, Stetson and Penn State according to his twitter account.
3) Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL – Calvary Christian Academy
I think you could take five guys on CCA’s roster and comfortably start a team with any of them. 2022 Taylor Hendricks Taylor Hendricks 6'9" | PF Calvary Christian (FL) | 2022 State #124 Nation FL would be my first pick. The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging a team-best 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game on 55 percent shooting from the field. Moreover, he is shooting 41 percent from deep this season. His mid-range and outside shot has really improved over his high school career. He hit some big shots early in his development at University School. Hendricks has natural length to finish around the cylinder as well. He scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the cross-county matchup against Mater Academy Charter. His 3-star rating is a farce to me. I think it should be higher.
2) Ausar Thompson – Pine Crest
Two or one. One or two. The Thompson twins can place at either spot. 2022 Ausar Thompson is averaging 22.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals on 52 percent shooting from the field. The 6-foot-6 combo guard is a top 40 player in his class with a tremendous handle. Pine Crest is 19-1 overall with a 16-game winning streak. Ausar and Amen are a huge reason for that. They have dominated virtually everyone. See below for further information.
1) Amen Thompson – Pine Crest
Repeat above. Amen Thompson is averaging 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals on 52 percent from the field. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard is nearly unstoppable in motion and can flip the ball in either hand to finish at the rim. Thompson is also a top 40 player nationally. I guess the comparisons of either twin to the career of Pine Crest legend Brandon Knight are fair. Knight was a two-time winner of Florida Mr. Basketball. I unfortunately never saw him play in high school so I recuse myself from that argument. Who’s better at this stage? Or…how far is the gap?
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