Top Underclassmen: City of Palms Classic
The City of Palms Classic was in full force last week in Fort Myers, Fla.
There were some great performances overall and with a loaded group of upperclassmen, the underclassmen weren’t quite known coming into the tourney. However, that all changed when we witnessed some fine all-around games from 2020 and 2021 athletes.
Here are the top underclassmen from the City of Palms Classic action.
Sharife Cooper (Georgia McEachern)
The sophomore sensation averaged a whopping 27 points and 4.5 assists per game. Cooper had a game-winner in an 83-81 overtime victory over Ranney in a quarterfinal on Wednesday. The jumper came at the buzzer in overtime and Cooper was fully covered but still managed to score in route to 42 points. The 6’0″ guard also averaged 4.5 assists for the week. He was hands down the top underclassmen on display. His smoothness around the rack is beyond impressive.
Isaiah Todd (Virginia John Marshall)
Todd was one of the top sophomores on the week. The 6’11” big man averaged 22.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He nearly had 20 points in all three games with performances of 19, 26 and 22. Todd is a good shooter who will be even more impressive when he adds muscle to his frame. He is a long and lengthy big man who has guard type skills. Todd has a very high ceiling.
Scottie Barnes (University)
Barnes was named the MVP of the City of Palms Classic title game with his 15-point, 8-rebound performance. For the week, he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds. The 6’8″ sophomore had huge games including a 29-point, 10-rebound night and a 10-point, 10-rebound, five-assist and four-block game. Barnes is a versatile chess piece that is part of a smart and determined Sharks unit. Barnes is a high energy player.
Jamal Mashburn Jr. (Gulliver Prep)
Only a sophomore, Jamal Mashburn Jr. showed up in Gulliver Prep’s lone game, a win over Lehigh on Tuesday. He scored 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. At 6’0″, Mashburn Jr. has a quick first step that helps him all over the floor. This kid is a pure scorer who finds ways to get buckets wherever he is on the floor.
Elijah Seward (Virginia John Marshall)
Outside of a 2-point game against Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Elijah Seward scored 15 and 16 points in John Marshall’s two other matchups. He shot 8-of-13 from 3-point land including 5-of-7 in the loss to Lakewood Ranch on Saturday. All of his points were 3’s in that game. Seward is a gifted sophomore.
Tony Sanders (Gulliver Prep)
At 6’6″, Tony Sanders has a soft touch. The sophomore starter recorded 17 points and seven rebounds against Lehigh. He hit 7-of-14 shots in the one game. Sanders created offense on his own. Most impressively, he handeld the rock well and pushed the tempo in transition.
Gabe Taylor (Gulliver Prep)
The 5’9″ sophomore scored 19 points and recorded 10 assists in the win over Lehigh. He connected on 5-of-8 from the field. Gabe Taylor is a speedy undersized guard who paces the offense well. He certainly helps Mashburn Jr. make plays.
Keon Buckley (Lakewood Ranch)
You wouldn’t guess that Keon Buckley is a sophomore by the way he commands his offensive unit. The 6’0″ 2020 guard averaged 13 points per game for his Lakewood Ranch side in three City of Palms matchups. He dropped 21 points in the win over John Marshall on Saturday. Buckley has a lot untapped potential.
Wilhelm Breidenbach (California Mater Dei)
Earning a key role as a lengthy defender, Wilhelm Breidenbach opened a lot of people’s eyes on Friday in a loss to North Carolina Wesleyan Christian. He scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 minutes on the floor. The 6’8″ freshman hit 2-of-3 from downtown. Breidenbach has to gain weight in order to succeed as a forward, but right now he’s maturing on a smart team.
Jonathan Lawson (Memphis East)
I know the freshman scored just eight points in four games, but on a deep and upperclassmen oriented Memphis East, it is hard to get minutes. Jonathan Lawson, the younger brother of junior Chandler Lawson, has really good size at 6’6″ and you can see his potential. He wasn’t tasked to take many shots, but his length and muscle will be a factor in his progression.
Cade Daugherty (Southwest Florida Christian)
Cade Daugherty was a 3-point shootout contestant alongside teammate and senior FGCU commit Caleb Catto. In the opening game of the tournament, a Sunshine Series tilt, he scored 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. The 5’7″ freshman is a spot-up shooter who can really be a factor for the King’s moving forward.
Alan Cedeno (Canterbury)
Only a freshman, Alan Cedeno showed a ton of poise over the last two games in the tournament for Canterbury. After scoring no points against Ranney School in the first matchup, he had games of 12 and 11 points. Turnovers were an issue for the 5’8″ 2020 guard, but there is a lot to like with his game. He delivers good arc on his jumpers.
Quinton Desamours (Lehigh)
In a loss to Gulliver Prep on the second day of the tournament, the 6’3″ sophomore added eight points and five rebounds. Part of a deep athletic rotation for the Lightning, Desamours has the ability to make plays inside on his own. He can play both shooting guard and small forward. Desamours is being groomed for the future.
Photo credit: City of Palms