Top Performers: City of Palms Classic (Day 2 – Part 1)
Defending champion University School, IMG Academy, McEachern (Ga.) and Imhotep Charter (Pa.) advanced to the quarterfinals of the 46th annual City of Palms Classic on Tuesday at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers. The tournament runs through Saturday.
Tuesday’s final scores were:
Woodrow Wilson (D.C.) 69, Sarasota Riverview 55
IMG Academy 82, Gray Collegiate (S.C.) 68
Imhotep Charter (Pa.) 67, Kissimmee Osceola 30
West Oaks 86, Sarasota Booker 55
University School 96, Vashon (Mo.) 69
McEachern (Ga.) 71, Miami Christian 48
Paul VI (Va.) 56, Immaculate Conception (N.J.) 52
Here is Part 1 of Tuesday’s top performers:
Selton Miguel, West Oaks Academy
The Division I junior prospect (pictured) led five players in double figures for the Flame with 19 points in 27 minutes.
Miguel, whose offers include Kansas State, Iowa State, FIU, USF, James Madison, Old Dominion and Tennessee State, connected on 7 of 10 shots from the field. He also had 4 steals and 3 assists.
“I feel like I’m getting better every day being with West Oaks Academy and coach Kenny [Gillion],” said the 6-5 Miguel. Miguel played with Team Breakdown on the travel circuit and is one of two returning starters for West Oaks along with senior Tyrell Jones, who is headed to Auburn.
Jones had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. AJ Neal (2021) contributed 16, Alic Troutman (2019) 12 and Marvens Petion (2019) 11.
Vernon Carey Jr., Scottie Barnes (University School)
Carey, a 6-10 Duke commit, feasted on the smaller St. Louis Vashon squad, hitting 15 of 19 from the field on the way to 35 points and 13 rebounds.
Barnes, one of the top juniors in the country, posted a triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). The defending Class 5A state champions and GEICO Nationals finalists are 7-0 and looking to repeat in Fort Myers.
“We’re coming at people like they are ahead of us,” Barnes said. “That’s our mind-set coming into the game.”
Donta Scott (Imhotep Charter)
The Maryland recruit tied for team-high honors with 14 points in a rout of Osceola. The 6-7 senior also had 8 rebounds as the Panthers from Philly crushed the Kowboys on the boards, 48-24. Scott and Co. also held Osceola to a 12-for-50 shooting performance.
“He’s so versatile,” Imhotep coach Andre Noble said. “He allows us to do different things with his size and ball skills.”
Scott has been playing with teammates Dahmir Bishop, Chereef Knox and Fatayn Wesley since the ninth grade.
Armando Bacot Jr., Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (IMG Academy)
The 6-10 Bacot had a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. He is headed to North Carolina. Robinson-Earl, who goes 6-10 as well and is going to Villanova, had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
IMG is match-up nightmare with talented bigs and an assortment guards who can can 3s. IMG shot 59 percent from the field.
“I feel like our team is just so deep,” Bacot said. “Everyone has to respect every player on the floor at all times.”
Tommy Brunner (Gray Collegiate)
The 6-1, 180-pound combo guard led the War Eagles with 17 points in a loss to IMG. Brunner was 6 for 15 from the floor and connected on four 3-pointers. He added 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
“We lost a few tights ones at the beginning [of the season],” Brunner said. “We’re just getting better each and every game.”
Brunner has offers from College of Charleston, Hofstra, Howard, Wyoming and UNLV. He said his coaches are looking to him “for more leadership on and off the court. Showing the young guys how to do it. How to win another state championship.”
Sharife Cooper (McEachern)
The 6-1 junior guard led McEachern — along with Alyn Breed (2019) — with 18 points. The Indians are 7-0. Isaac Okoro, headed to Auburn, scored 15 points.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.