5 Takeaways: Downey Christian at Superior Collegiate

<p>On a night where Boone beat Oak Ridge 20-16 in Orlando, points were easy to come by down in Clearwater between Superior Collegiate and Downey Christian. </p> <p>The Legion took down visiting Downey Christian 110-88 in an SIAA matchup on Thursday night.</p> <p>Here is a look at five takeaways from the game.</p> <h2><strong>Miguel Miranda is a gifted shooter</strong></h2> <p>With 19 points at the break, 2020 6'6" guard Miguel Miranda was superb, drilling five 3's in the opening half. He would score three more from deep in the second half to finish with a game-high 32 points. From start to finish, Miranda was the best player on the floor. His shooting touch was impressive as he rarely missed, his willingness to attack was nice to see and his defensive prowess flashed more often than not.</p> <h2><strong>Jouldan Velez is a calming presence</strong></h2> <p>Joining Superior Collegiate this week, 2020 guard Jouldan Velez has already proven to be a welcomed addition to the team. The 5'8" guard has super quick feet and is one of the most unselfish and high IQ passers you'll see in high school basketball. Coming over from Oviedo Master's, Velez is already fitting in nicely alongside a deep group of athletes. His presence in the backcourt will do wonders for this team the rest of the way.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Superior Collegiate connection: 2019 G Eric Lee with the scrappy steal and then 2020 G Jouldan Velez saves it and Lee finishes. Great basketball right here. <a href="https://twitter.com/SCA_Basketball_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCA_Basketball_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JouldanV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JouldanV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/3ric_lee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3ric_lee</a> <a href="https://t.co/v9h0ZNGHcH">pic.twitter.com/v9h0ZNGHcH</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1083543869185318912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <h2><strong>Julian Newman and Emmanuel Maldonado don't back down</strong></h2> <p>Combining for 41 points, 2020 guard Julian Newman (25 points) and 2021 guard Emmanuel Maldonado (16 points) did most of the outside shooting for Downey Christian. It wasn't a high percentage but both players are not afraid to shoot from deep and with defenders in their faces. I see plenty of potential from Maldonado who challenges himself to play with speed and smartness all game long.</p> <h2><strong>Josh Frazier and Khalil Shaheed were connecting </strong></h2> <p>2020 guards Josh Frazier (18 points) and Khalil Shaheed (17 points) both found openings throughout this game. Frazier was better as the game went on and made some really good decisions as a passer. Shaheed was decisive with the ball and made things happen off cuts to the basket. Both juniors were high energy guys for Superior Collegiate in this one.</p> <h2><strong>Superior played its best game all year</strong></h2> <p>Miranda was hitting on all cylinders with smart shoots in transition and attacks. Shaheed and Frazier were confident shooters. 2019 guards Eric Lee and Robert Hardy each had 12 points and Velez brought an added dimension alongside 2020 guard Murad Berrien as ballhandlers. Superior played smart and fast and it should be telling to see if it can continue here this season.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2019 Eastern Florida commit Robert Hardy with the monster two-handed slam. <a href="https://twitter.com/k1ng_rob24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@k1ng_rob24</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SCA_Basketball_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SCA_Basketball_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@prephoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/siaa_fl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@siaa_fl</a> <a href="https://t.co/vO50uCKiqi">pic.twitter.com/vO50uCKiqi</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1083554144378634241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>