Allen’s Game Week: SIAA Rivalry Week
Week 2 of Florida hoops gives us another round of big time SIAA matchups. It’s a three game week for American Collegiate Academy who return just two members from last year’s team. We head to Kissimmee for a doubleheader of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWeek 2 of Florida hoops gives us another round of big time SIAA matchups. It’s a three game week for American Collegiate Academy who return just two members from last year’s team. We head to Kissimmee for a doubleheader of talented Christian schools. Then we step into the weekend with West Oaks for their second game of the season. Let’s break down the biggest players in this packed high school slate.
American Collegiate Academy (ACA) looks to improve on their 1-0 start with a gauntlet of loaded teams. Tuesday they face rival Oldsmar Christian, Friday its Central Pointe Christian Academy (CPCA), and Saturday it’s West Oaks. ACA’s combination of skill and size will matchup well against all three District teams. Jordan Burks is coming off a 41 point season opener against Wade Christian Academy where he showed an impressive handle, shooting, IQ, and intensity at 6’9. They have a deep roster with juniors Mayen Ayuel, Brandon Noythanongsay Brandon Noythanongsay 6'6" | SG American Collegiate Academy | 2023 FL , and senior Tray Curry all receiving Division 1 interest. They’re not the only names on this list as athletic 6’8 senior Deng Luwal is drawing eyes at the JUCO level, D2s are moving in on 2023 Lamareon McFarlane, and 2024 guard Jaiye Famakinwa is a two-way spark plug with instant offense potential.
Life Christian Academy opens their week of play with a three game slate as well. They’ll play Calusa Prep, The Rock, and CPCA. I’ll be sitting in for Friday’s game against The Rock where they’ll have a great test for the Division 1 wings Angel Montas Angel Montas 6'5" | CG Life Christian | 2022 State #205 Nation FL and Hansel Emanuel Hansel Emanuel 6'6" | CG Life Christian | 2022 State FL . Montas is a strong physical driver with a great finishing package and the body control to power through contact. Hansel is fresh off a Bethune Cookman offer and summer where his star has truly risen. When the game is fast, it unleashes his next level athleticism that affects both sides of the ball and an efficient jumper. Doing most of the dirty work will be Braylin Garcia, who is getting more comfortable in the offense, finishing dump offs, and playing scrappy defense. In his last outing in Miami, he showed the ability to take guys off the dribble for straight line drives.
Central Pointe Christian Academy is 1-0 after a big 39 point season opening win. I talked about how they may be the deepest team in the SIAA with Division 1 guys at every position and, in some cases, two. Pape Lamine Niang Pape Lamine Niang 6'9" | PF Central Pointe Christian | 2022 State FL anchors the paint on both sides of the court and offensive engine Owen Aquino Owen Aquino 6'9" | PF Central Pointe Christian | 2022 State FL scores and makes plays from every spot in their motion offense. On the wing, Jalen Carruth Jalen Carruth 6'7" | SF Kingsmen Academy | 2023 FL provides shooting and defensive tools while Mykol Sanchez Mykol Sanchez 6'6" | PG Central Pointe Christian | 2022 State FL spreads the floor from beyond the arc. Guards Carlos Cortijos and Esteban Saavedra Esteban Saavedra 6'2" | CG Central Pointe Christian | 2022 State FL shot well in the opener while adding 5 assists between the two of them.
To start their season, West Oaks Academy has challenges against Schoolhouse Prep and ACA. This squad has a lot of size to throw at their competition with just one guy on their roster coming in under 6′. They’re an athletic group that can play fast, has plenty of depth on the wing, and could seriously challenge CPCA for the 2022 conference championship. Seniors Faheim Meran Faheim Meran 6'5" | SF West Oaks | 2022 State FL (Chicago State Commit), Maurice Odum Maurice Odum 6'1" | PG West Oaks | 2022 State FL , Deshawn Jean-Charles Deshawn Jean-Charles 6'6" | PF West Oaks | 2022 State FL , RJ Moore RJ Moore 6'6" | CG West Oaks | 2022 State FL , and Joshua Watkins Joshua Watkins 6'5" | SF West Oaks | 2022 State FL all rank inside our top 100 in the state and hold D1 offers. Juniors Chris Mubiru Chris Mubiru 6'4" | CG West Oaks Academy | 2023 State FL and Zyier Beverly Zyier Beverly 6'7" | SF Washington Prep | 2023 State CA-S are in the same boat with mid-major offers. Sophomores Ibrahima Traore Ibrahima Traore 6'9" | C West Oaks | 2024 State #193 Nation FL and Gavin Dunn Gavin Dunn 6'3" | CG West Oaks Academy | 2024 State FL sit inside the top 30 receiving early offers from NJIT and Jacksonville. Expect that list to grow for both of them as the season develops. Ronnie Flores and Ballislife have them penciled as the nation’s 37th ranked team and could move up the rankings with their strength of schedule.