Tampa BayHawks are coming along on the Powerade Platform
Many teams across the United States have joined the new Powerade Platform including Tampa’s own, the BayHawks.
Head coach Byron Lane-Batchelor has his group focused as they take trips to Washington (DC), Bronx (N.Y.), Atlanta (Ga.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Nashville (Tenn.), Charlotte (N.C.) and games around Florida as well.
The BayHawks feature these players:
11th grade
Ronaldo Williams (Wharton), Josey Davis (Tampa Catholic), Akmee Burton (Plant City), Mark Taylor (Bloomingdale) and Shaahid Newsome (Armwood).
10th grade
Shawn Esajas (Hudson), Akeem Glenn (Gibbs), Brendan MacLachlan (Durant), Khalil Waleed (Seffner Christian), Logan Morrissey (Plant), Deondrick Harper (Gibbs) and Jeffrey White (Durant).
Notes
—Williams and Davis were role players on their respective high school teams, but Lane-Batchelor gives them ample opportunities to run this offense.
—Burton is improving each time I see him. As long as his confidence continues to get better, he’ll be a solid starter for Plant City next season.
—Newsome played quite a bit this past season for Armwood. He’s a basketball player who has a football body which helps him draw contact inside. Taylor has a nice outside touch and should get more chances for Bloomingdale in the fall.
—Esajas is a really good point man and someone that stood out for Hudson this season. Morrissey is one of those hard workers that makes you like his game the more that you watch him play.
—MacLachlan is growing in size and skills. He can flat out shoot from outside and his drive to the basket is pretty. He’s a 2019 who will break out at Durant.
—Waleed looked good running the offense and attacking. His chances increased when it mattered most for Seffner Christian late last season and that will continue next season.
—White has the ability to score in bunches and will be a breakout player for Durant next season. Glenn is a pure athlete who brings versatility to the team.
Bottom line
Lane-Batchelor is a passionate young coach who lives and breathes the game of basketball. Neither of his teams are filled with stars, but they consist of solid players who he wants to help transform as players and people.
Look for the BayHawks to surprise some teams this summer on the Powerade Platform. This is a good chance for Lane-Batchelor’s teams to get better while playing from March to July.
Basketball year round is something he preaches and he gives his players the opportunity to do just that. Travel ball is crucial and the BayHawks are doing it right.