Stock Risers: Miami
Cyrus Largie, Mater Lakes Academy
The bullish Class of 2019 guard possesses a deft shooting touch and an innate feel for scoring at all three levels.
These factors have enabled Largie to stabilize Mater Lakes Academy with a team-best 21 PPG.
With an array of one on one moves, oil-smooth stepback jumpers, and thorough surges to the rim, Largie has routinely authored efficiency.
Largie’s 20-point (7-for-15 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-4 FT), six board, and four assist showing at the RMF Magazine tournament last month proved to be a harbinger of things to come.
Conventional wisdom leads us to anticipate a breakout spring/summer for the 6-foot-3 Division-I prospect.
Northern Arizona has offered Largie, while a slew of programs such as Kansas State, Richmond, and others are currently expressing interest.
Ricardo Saams, Somerset Academy
A 6-foot-5 guard with a wide ranging offensive game, Saams has prospered with a veteran savvy.
As the featured scorer and a consistent, thorough presence on the glass, Saams has been the veritable bus driver for this Central Miramar-based program.
In addition to averaging a team-best 25 points and 12 rebounds under head coach Thaddeus Ambrose, Saams has mastered the craft of scoring between a defender and the basket.
Beyond an adeptness in the one on one game, Saams has been a dependable interior scorer.
Buoyed by a knack for weaving into traffic and finishing with either hand, Saams has erupted for 40+ multiple times. Saams also has an advanced pull-up game.
Zach Scott, Westminster Academy
Poised, clutch, and seasoned, the 6-foot-4 guard continues to put together a monstrous senior year.
During a recent 101-77 drubbing of NW Christian, Scott scored 22 points and doled out nine assists.
Defined by his wowing record of delivering under soaring pressure, Scott has become Westminster’s all time leading scorer with 2580+ points.
The Florida Gulf Coast University-signee has shattered the previous record of 2,223 points, which is actually held by Ehren Wallhoff.
Chase Johnston, Westminster Academy
Arguably the best shooter in the state, Johnston continues to exemplify proficiency in all phases of his game. He’s grown as a facilitator and a rugged on-ball defender.
Johnston recently scored 30 points, shooting a scintillating 7-for-8 from 3-point territory, in the aforementioned 101-77 thrashing of NW Christian.
Julian Garcia, Mater Lakes Academy
The Class of 2021 guard has emerged into a vital supplementary piece in a deep core.
Garcia has played beyond his years, with a blend of reliability and consistency. Garcia has been the team’s vital third leg of scoring, averaging 12 PPG.
Craig Starks, Mater Lakes Academy
Built like a blacksmith and steadily improving as a dependable scoring threat, the man-child 6-foot-6 forward has been the centerpiece of MLA’s youth movement.
He’s averaging 10 points and 11 boards, utilizing the physical advantage he has on foes in his favor.
Jamal Ellick, TLAP Academy
The Broward County product has thrived in his prep season, averaging 20 PPG as the go to source in West Palm Beach native Louis Graham’s program.
Barreling his way to the rim and finishing, scoring through contact, and exemplifying craftiness in his transition finishing, Ellick is a sleeper on the recruiting market.
Reggie Perez, Doral Academy
Perez morphed into the mad bomber during another win for 24-2 Doral.
He drilled a game-best five 3-pointers en route to a 27-point performance. Perez added four boards and four assists.
Issad Solano, SLAM Miami
With efficiency as a knockdown shooter, Solano has been instrumental in SLAM Miami’s rapid ascension this season.
His on court awareness, day to day production as an 11 PPG scorer, and IQ in reading and picking apart a defense have been promising.
Neftali Alvarez, Miami Christian
Alvarez has established himself as one of the state’s elite creators and most electrifying guards during this memorable senior season.
The Puerto Rican guard’s relentlessness and take no prisoners approach were evident factors during Alvarez’ recent quadruple double.
With offers from Wichita State, Arkansas State, Dayton, and several others, Alvarez has been the catalyst in the growth of an advanced level backcourt.
He’s helped sustain the image of a traditionally potent program that has produced a cadre of top shelf guards.