5 Takeaways: 2019 MLK Classic (Day 2)

<p>Pompano Beach Blanche Ely ran past Miami Northwestern, 64-57, Monday night in an exciting finale to Day 2 of the 2019 TOC Sports MLK Classic at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale.</p> <p>The final scores to Monday's eight games at Stranahan were:</p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jupiter 51, Westwood Christian 42</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Miami Schoolhouse Prep 62, Santaluces 56</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Miami Belen Jesuit 54, Cooper City 48</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mater Academy 56, Royal Palm Beach 42</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 53, American Heritage-Plantation 50</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wellington 64, Miami Coral Park 58</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 76, Clearwater Superior Collegiate 62</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 64, Miami Northwestern 57</span></p> <p>Here are the top 5 Takeaways from Day 2 of the MLK Classic:</p> <h2>UM on hand to watch Reneau</h2> <p>University of Miami Associate Head Coach <strong>Chris Caputo</strong> was on hand to watch Mater Academy 6-6 2022 <strong>Malik Reneau </strong>vs. Royal Palm Beach. The impressive Reneau (pictured above) delivered with 20 points and was named the game's MVP. Reneau has all the tools. What impresses Mater coach <strong>Shakey Rodriguez</strong> most is Reneau's work ethic and attitude. He brings it every day. Later in the day, Caputo was in the stands for Calvary Christian vs. American Heritage, possibly to watch Calvary 6-7 freshman <strong>Greg Glenn III</strong>.</p> <h2>Ely rounding into form</h2> <p>Defending Class 8A state champion Blanche Ely, out of Pompano Beach, appears to be rounding into form. The Tigers (12-6) won a season-high fifth consecutive game with a hard-fought 7-point victory over Miami Northwestern. The contest was a physical, back-and-forth track meet. Senior 6-5 forward <strong>Joshua Scott</strong> led Ely with 14 points and was named the game's MVP. Junior guards <strong>A.J. Staton-McCray</strong> and <strong>Lamont Evans</strong> added 12 apiece. Miami Northwestern seniors <strong>Jaren Johnson</strong> and <strong>James White</strong> impressed. White (6-2) finished with 14 points and Johnson (6-4)  11.</p> <h2>Under the radar</h2> <p>Two Miami Belen Jesuit players that could help Division II programs are 6-3 senior <strong>Daniel Sueiro</strong> and 5-10 senior <strong>Alec Rodriguez</strong>. Sueiro nailed seven 3-pointers in a victory over Cooper City. He has zero offers.</p> <p>"He's had eight 3s," Belen coach <strong>Gaston Rodriguez</strong> said. "I think this is his second seven-3 game. He can play the [No.] 2 anywhere. We have him play the [Nos.] 3 and 4 for us just because I've got a bunch of dudes the same size. So we switch a lot, we play a lot on the perimeter. He is a really good student. He is a 4.9 I think GPA kid." </p> <p>Alec Rodriguez showed he can shoot from the outside, attack and play defense. Right now he is getting a lot of Division 3 looks. "Just like typical Miami ... very under-recruited place," coach Rodriguez said. "We haven't been historically known as a basketball school. For the most part no one really knows about our guys."</p> <p>Gaston Rodriguez coached at Champagnat and won a state championship in 2000. In 2009, he won it all in 6A with Coral Reef High.</p> <h2>Wade nursing sore leg</h2> <p>American Heritage-Plantation junior guard <strong>Zaire Wade</strong> did not play vs. American Heritage. Wade was with the team but walking with a noticeable limp. He was coming off a game where he scored 32 vs. Chaminade-Madonna. He planned to rest to be ready for a couple district games this week. Wade, the son of Miami Heat star <strong>Dwyane Wade,</strong> has a Nebraska offer. Wade was on the bench next to 2021 <strong>Dallas Turner</strong>, who is coming back from an ACL.</p> <h2>Lee reclassifies to 2020</h2> <p>Clearwater Superior Collegiate 6-4 guard <strong>Eric Lee</strong> has reclassified to 2020, according to coach <strong>John Bianchi</strong>. Asked what Lee would bring to a program on the next level, Bianchi said. "Best defensive guy that they'll have on their team. Always wants to guard the best player. Can score, too, at all three levels and just a great all-around kid." Lee is a high-academic kid and has interest from Lafayette, Colgate, Columbia and Holy Cross among others.</p> <p>Superior Collegiate 6-6 2019 forward <strong>Robert Hardy</strong> is committed to Eastern Florida. 6-3 2020 guard <strong>Khalil Shaheed</strong> is an athletic scorer. Shaheed has already pulled down offers from FAU, Stetson and Bethune-Cookman. Bianchi says he is working to get better defensively.</p> <p>"We're not halfway to where we should be, but the right time to click is in the state playoffs, which is what we want to do," said Bianchi of his 12-15 Legion.</p> <p><em>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.</em></p>