Florida HS Team Camp (Day 1): 5 Takeaways
Miramar, Miami Palmetto and Miami Norland all went 2-0 on Day 1 of the 33-team Florida High School Team Camp held Friday at Norland. Action Saturday and Sunday will take place at DS Sportsplex in Deerfield Beach. Here are Friday’s…
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Continue ReadingMiramar, Miami Palmetto and Miami Norland all went 2-0 on Day 1 of the 33-team Florida High School Team Camp held Friday at Norland. Action Saturday and Sunday will take place at DS Sportsplex in Deerfield Beach.
Here are Friday’s top 5 Takeaways from Norland High School:
Lacount raises profile
Coral Park and Blanche Ely played right down to the final horn in the game of the day. Rising senior guard Tyrecke Francois had given Ely a 60-58 advantage with two clutch free throws with 12 seconds to play. But Coral Park 2020 guard Ga’khari Lacount (pictured) brought the ball up, veered to his right and hit a fade-away 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go for the game-winner. The 3-point bomb put an exclamation point on a 35-point performance by Lacount against the defending Class 8A state champions. “We were looking for like a downhill off the screen to get a layup, but they were playing it back so we just got it in and created something,” said the 6-foot-1 Lacount, who also had 21 points (three 3-pointers) in a loss to Miramar.
Davis, Jean-Charles impress
Senior guard Brent Davis scored in double-digits to lead Miramar past Coral Park and then South Miami. Davis pumped in 18 points in the 61-49 verdict over Coral Park and had 13 vs. the Cobras. “Summer is going very well,” Patriots coach Tramaine Stevens said. “We’ve got our core coming back so it feels good. Brent Davis has picked up interest from FAMU, Citadel and Rider. At Philly he did exceptionally well.” 2022 Deshawn Jean-Charles looks to be hitting another gear. The rising sophomore played with more urgency and looked more comfortable in year 2 as a starter. Jean-Charles’ put-back with 2 seconds remaining beat South Miami and he finished with 17 points. Miramar did lose Kaleb Walters (Westminster Academy) to transfer as well as 6-4 Reggie Luis (Miami Columbus).
Ely to rely on guards
Coach Melvin Randall won a ninth state title in 2018-19. The veteran coach will have to rely heavily on his guard group — at least early on — with the departures of 2020 transfers A.J. Staton (West Oaks Academy), Malachi Hazelton (West Oaks) and Jayden Fye (Stranahan). Friday vs. Coral Park, Ely started Tyrecke Francois (2020 guard), Lamont Evans (2020 guard), Colby King (2022 guard), Derrick Lovett (2022 forward) and Jaleel Patterson (2020 center). Francois poured in 28 points in a loss to Miami Palmetto and 19 vs. Coral Park.
Middleton a top 2023
It will be interesting to watch Miami High freshman Scotty Middleton progress. Middleton has nice size and put on display an excellent outside shot on the way to 16 points in a 73-57 loss to Norland. The 6-5 Middleton, who will play with Shahbaz Elite at the MADE Hoops live event in July, canned two 3-pointers. “It’s actually good to get together for the first time [this summer],” said Stingarees coach Javorie Wilson. “We’ve got some young pieces in there. We’re also missing [2021] Justin [Neely]. He’s been out 2 months with a fractured ankle.” Miami High lost James McBride to transfer (Tallahassee Godby) but brought in 2022 point guard Andre Bynum from SLAM.
Wilson back playing
Norland coach Lawton Williams is glad to have 2020 center Kendrick Wilson back. Wilson brings presence and experience … and 16 points Friday in a 73-57 W over Miami High. “We’ve just been getting in the gym working and our starting center [Wilson] for the past two years came back, so that changed things,” Williams said. “He was injured playing football [fractured ankle].” 2020 big guard Jahvon Smith also had 16 points vs. the Stingarees. Norland later routed South Dade, 77-40.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via Twitter at @PLamRecruiting or through e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com