Players To Watch: Lake Worth/Lantana Area
At Palm Beach State camp this week, a barrage of local area teams kick-started the gelling experiment with a string of games.
In the style of a Round Robin caliber event, several patchwork rosters forged themselves into a unit, gaining a better feel for the sets they’ll run next season.
No single coach was putting too much weight into the score and trying to pile up wins. Rather, the exposure camp was instrumental in enabling raw and inexperienced guys to become acclimated to the varsity scene. Coaches were able to assess their personnel while returning starters were able to get a feel for the new core and feel out who will be who next season.
Here’s a look at some of the key players from the Lake Worth area, many of whom were impressive during the aforementioned camp.
Kervantz Sageese, Santaluces
The 6-foot-4 forward is an undersized big who uses his bouncy athleticism and speed (top track athlete in the 400-meter race) to make amends for his lack of size in the post. He’s able to protect the rim upfront and also score on hustle points, flying in for putbacks and tearing down rebounds.
He’s shown some multi-positional defensive attributes this off-season, capable of shuffling his feet and guarding perimeter players while also shouldering the role of interior banger.
Ryan O’Connor, Santaluces
The 6-foot-2 off guard returns as an outside shooting threat who has become more focused on defense. He’s got a fluid jumper, a left-handed fling shot. He’s also become more adept at carving his way to the rim and creating space off the dribble.
Taking care of his body and getting stronger during the off-season will prepare the Class of 2019 prospect for a more pivotal role this ensuing season.
Chance Dixon, Santaluces
After averaging 11 PPG as a sophomore, the 3-point trigger man will assume the role of go-to scorer next season. Dixon, who had several games of five or more 3-pointers in 2017-18, will adjust to more of a facilitator’s role.
He’ll be tasked with operating offense and also being a reliable scoring threat throughout. Santaluces was a balanced offensive team last season, with several guys averaging 11 and 10. This season, Dixon has the chance to be a go-to piece who really stretches defenses out with his perimeter game.
King Metellus, Santaluces
The 6-foot-2 guard has burst onto the scene as a confrontational on-ball defender who can play both guard positions.
Expect him to play a meaningful role as a glue guy in 2018-19. Santaluces doesn’t have the most intimidating size, but their emphasis on wall to wall defensive pressure helps neutralize high-scoring foes. Expect Metellus to be a key component in this hard-edged style.
Edgar Latoi, Santluces
Another two-guard with outside shooting capabilities and a feathery jumper, Latoi will add scoring and defensive reliability. He sees the floor well and has good on court awareness. This component of his game will keep him on the floor in those waning, determining minutes.
Willie Razz, Lake Worth
The kid they call “tank” has the defensive skill set and build to become a sheer on-ball pest next season. He’s adapting to the point guard role, where he’ll pad the loss of high-scoring 5-foot-10 guard Jay Mephor (claimed by 2018 graduation).
Razz is a hard-driving scorer. He doesn’t like to pop out and stick the 15-footer, but he’s plenty capable of doing so. In preparing for the leadership role next season, he’s ramped up his focus on his shot. He’s a kid who can manufacture points in a variety of ways, with a knack for attacking.