5 Takeaways: Suncoast Charger Classic (Day 2)

Pat Lammer

January 7, 2019 @ 11:55 PM

Suncoast High in Riveria Beach was the home of the two-day 2019 Charger Classic. Final scores from Day 2 included: Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 71, Weston Sagemont 70 (OT) Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 82, Lakeland High 46 Tampa Hillsborough 64, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 47 Auburndale 68, Riviera Beach Suncoast 31 Fort Lauderdale Dillard 62, Jacksonville Potter's House Christian 61 (OT) Here are 5 Takeaways from Day 2 of the 2019 Charger Classic: <h2>Two games go to OT</h2> Day 2 began with an overtime affair between Dwyer and Sagemont and ended with another one between Dillard and Potter's House Christian. Dillard would prevail on senior guard DeShawn Bartley's two free throws with 13.3 seconds left in the extra period. “The team kind of played a little sluggish, but this is a good team win,” said Bartley, who led Dillard with 24 points. “I felt like we could have played way better than what we did, but we’ll take a win.” The Panthers are 9-3. All three of Dillard's losses have come vs. out-of-state programs. Potter's House Christian's Dontavius King is built like a college linebacker. King is headed to College of Charleston. <h2>Hillsborough out-Ely's Ely</h2> Tampa Hillsborough was impressive in defeating Suncoast on Day 1 and Blanche Ely on Day 2. The 11-2 Terriers have an excellent floor leader in senior guard Christian DeLeon (19 points) and several athletic bigs. "He does a lot for us," Hillsborough coach Chris Ward said of DeLeon, who is currently being under recruited. "When he's not on the floor, we don't go. He runs our team." Hillsborough gets after you on defense -- Blanche Ely's calling card under coach Melvin Randall. The Terriers held Ely to just five field goals in the first half and 21 points through three quarters. Lamont Evans (20 points) was the only Tiger with more than 8 points. <h2>Freshman is clutch</h2> Xavier Scott is just a ninth-grader. But the Dwyer guard produced when it mattered most vs. Sagemont. Down one in the final seconds, Scott brought the ball up, drove to the baseline and canned a short jumper at the buzzer for the game-winner. Senior guard Mikey Ingraham led Dwyer with 19 points. Senior Isiah Kirby, who is headed to Southeastern Louisiana, led Sagemont (5-7) with 24 points. Sophomore Raphael Houssou had 19. "We're significantly better today than a month ago," Sagemont coach David Roe said. <h2>Beymer averaging double-double</h2> Auburndale started the season 0-3 but has a good chance to be a factor in Class 7A. The Bloodhounds led 47-19 by halftime and blew out Suncoast. 6-6 senior Nate Beymer is averaging a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds). He has a football offer from Stetson and a ton of Division III and NAIA interest in basketball. Georgia State and McNeese State like senior forward Isaiah Turner. 2020 guard Dorian Allen is a name to watch. <h2>Westminster finding its groove</h2> Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy was clicking on all cylinders at the Charger Classic. After a couple of losses in late December, the Lions won both of their games against Potter's House Christian and Lakeland High with running clocks. 2019 center Anthony Atkinson and 2020 point guard Stephan Dibongue Swenson both had double-doubles vs. Lakeland. Atkinson had 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds while Dibongue Swenson put up 11 points and 11 assists. 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.