Bartow Team Camp: Friday Notebook

<p>I made the stopover to Bartow for the start of its team camp on Friday.</p> <p>There was a good mix of teams and athletes on hand.</p> <p>Here is a look at some notes from Friday's action.</p> <h3><strong>Oak Ridge has a lot of young talent</strong></h3> <p>The 2021 trio in place at Oak Ridge will do wonders for a revamped look at the now Class 7A power. 6'6" guard/forward <strong>Michael James</strong> (transfer from Wekiva), 6'5" guard/forward <strong>Roddrick Henry</strong> (transfer from Rickards) and 6'4" guard <strong>Jalen Smith</strong> are all lengthy and athletic. James was the best of the three rising juniors with his outside jumper, strength and smart shot selection. Henry is a bruiser who likes to fight for boards and battle inside. Smith is a talented 3-point shooter who has matured as an attacker and creator. Oak Ridge also has athletes in 2021 6'7" forward Jeremiah Bannister (transfer from First Academy) and 2022 6'6" forward Lewis Jones to build around. </p> <h3><strong>Apopka is dangerous<br /> </strong></h3> <p>It is a different look for Apopka, but there is something clicking already here in June. 2020 6'7" guard/forward<strong> Zach Anderson</strong> is a steady top piece, who is a reliable shooter, vocal leader and a true pacesetter for his side. 2021 6'0" guard <strong>John Latimer III</strong> is an absolute lethal outside jump shooter, who should never be left open. On top of that, the Blue Darters have a true riser in 2023 6'4" forward <strong>Camerin James</strong> and tough-nosed 2021 6'5" forward <strong>Earl Lombardi</strong>. Size and speed are both there for Apopka this season.</p> <h3><strong>Master's goes through Thelwell</strong></h3> <p>A lot of his shots weren't falling early in games against Forest and Wiregrass Ranch, but 2020 6'3" Oviedo Master's guard <strong>Andrew Thelwell </strong>is gritty as they come. A very high IQ passer, he can break down a defense within seconds and make very skilled passes. He's a shooter by nature and a quick one at that, but his game is expanding as an athlete who wants to go to the basket and flash in transition. He is a gamechanger for Master's and someone who will do big things for this program as a senior.</p> <h3><strong>Forest has a bloomer in Russell</strong></h3> <p>Although 2022 6'5" forward <strong>Jeremiah Russell </strong>comes off the bench for a well formed Forest group, he continues to impress me. He's certainly a bloomer in my mind and you can see where he'll be able to expand his game. A long and skinny body, Russell is going to fill out and when he does, he'll be very good. Already a good ballhandler and shooter, he will gain confidence with more playing time. He's a prospect to monitor.</p> <h3><strong>Leadership is with Pelt at Wiregrass Ranch</strong></h3> <p>Wiregrass Ranch is searching for an alpha leader this upcoming season and I think it has found one in 2020 6'3" guard <strong>Lucas Pelt</strong>. A smart, crafty and true stretch shooter, he is a very good player who will likely end up as the team's leading scorer. Pelt is asked to do plenty in the offense, especially in transition as a passer and shooter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2021 Apopka G John Latimer III drills the triple. <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnLatimer30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JohnLatimer30</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/APKHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@APKHoops</a> <a href="https://t.co/S5kNTY4qDp">pic.twitter.com/S5kNTY4qDp</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1142099194230005762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>