Fall Storylines: South Florida
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October is on the horizon with means we move an inch closer to high school basketball in the Sunshine State. The dust has settled with transfers and other predicaments that I know of. It will be nice to see real…
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Continue ReadingOctober is on the horizon with means we move an inch closer to high school basketball in the Sunshine State. The dust has settled with transfers and other predicaments that I know of. It will be nice to see real basketball with fans in the stands shortly.
Let’s briefly look at some storylines…
How great can Calvary Christian Academy be?
Consensus points to Calvary Christian Academy being the best team in South Florida and one of the best in the state. I believe the Eagles want to get to GEICO Nationals and they have the talent to do it. Both 2023’s Carl Cherenfant and Marvel Allen Marvel Allen 6'4" | SG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #46 Nation FL have gotten better. We know the frontcourt is solid, especially with the addition of Brenen Lorient Brenen Lorient 6'8" | PF Calvary Christian | 2022 State FL (Forest). Lorient has a ton of length and athleticism around the low post at 6-foot-8. I guess I’m wondering what, if at all, production they get from their bench. You probably need some depth to take on and deal with the grueling schedule Calvary Christian will face. You also need to account for possible injuries or unforeseen circumstances like Covid-19. Obviously, we all hope none of that happens. As for a game issue, players get in foul trouble. A deep run in Lakeland and state championship is likely…but this team has bigger goals.
New faces, new places in Miami-Dade
A lot of coaching changes occurred in Miami-Dade County. Down in Doral (Academy), Jorge Fernandez is now at Miami Dade College. The Fire Birds still have a talented wing in 6-foot-7 Justin Johnson Justin Johnson 6'7" | PF Doral | 2023 #229 Nation FL . Melvin Randall is at Miami Northwestern, among others. How will the coaching legend do with the Bulls? Oh, and we have this guy Ray Allen at Gulliver Prep. His son, Walter Ray Allen III, as well as Amare Sanders Amare Sanders 6'2" | CG Gulliver Prep | 2024 FL , have talent.
Coinciding with those moves were player transfers. Jimel Lane Jimel Lane 6'7" | PF Palmetto | 2022 State FL joins a talented team at Miami Palmetto after leading Mater Academy Charter to a 6A state championship appearance. 6-foot-5 guard Koree Cotton and company are now at Miami Southridge via South Miami. Miami Columbus brings in the Boozer’s who look to be the real deal. Miami Country Day has a young talent in 2025 Shon Abaev and All-county pick Jasai Miles Jasai Miles 6'5" | CG Miami Country Day | 2023 State #241 Nation FL . How will Mater Lakes Academy be? Does 6-foot-4 guard Christian Reid Christian Reid 6'5" | SF Mater Lakes | 2024 State FL take the next step? The same can be said about Marcus Allen and Cameron Johnson Cameron Johnson 6'5" | SF Norland | 2022 State FL at Miami Norland. I like both of those kids learning under Lawton Williams.
Palm Beach Up in the Air
Last year’s senior class was a good one in Palm Beach County…but what’s next?
2021’s Josh Minott Josh Minott 6'9" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 State #30 Nation FL (Memphis) and Devin Hines Devin Hines 6'4" | CG St. Andrew's | 2021 State FL (Lafayette) are gone from St. Andrew’s. The Scots also lost Kenny Turner Kenny Turner 6'6" | PF St. Andrew's | 2021 State FL and Bob Stewart. Of note, 2022 Anquan Boldin Jr Anquan Boldin Jr 6'5" | CG IMG Academy | 2023 FL . transferred to IMG Academy. It will be interesting to see how St. Andrew’s regroups in 2021. They have been one of the top teams in the county the last couple of seasons. A similar deal sits at Grandview Prep. Gunner Walters transferred to Adams High School in Michigan. Mayke Boles and Pedro Brown are also gone.
Micah Octave Micah Octave 6'4" | CG Grandview Prep | 2021 State FL , the 7A-6A player of the year by the Sun Sentinel, is gone from Olympic Heights. Christopher Walker signed with Arkansas-Little Rock after a great career with Wellington. Both Donovan Draper Donovan Draper 6'6" | PF Forrest Hill | 2021 State FL and Jalen Jeter Jalen Jeter 5'9" | PG Forest Hill | 2021 State FL are gone for Forest Hill. Dwyer loses Roderick Johnson Roderick Johnson 6'4" | PF Dwyer | 2021 State FL Jr. I can go on, but you see how good the senior class was in the county. Many of these players were all-county picks on various services. Suncoast stars Nate Sasser Nate Sasser 6'6" | SG Suncoast | 2023 State #207 Nation FL and Stone Bureau Stone Bureau 6'0" | PG Calvary Christian Academy, Ft. Lauderdale | 2024 State FL will ease some of the burden, as well as Dwyer’s Kyle McNeal Kyle McNeal 6'1" | PG Dwyer | 2023 #297 Nation FL , Juwan Dawes, and Xavier Scott Xavier Scott 5'11" | CG Dwyer | 2022 State FL Jr. I’m still interested to see who fills the void from all of those names I mentioned above.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.