Standouts: Metro vs FL Challenge (Part 1)

<p>I made my way over to Apopka High for the 10th annual Metro vs FL Challenge.</p> <p>Eight games were played on a busy Saturday slate with seven boys games and one girls matchup between host Apopka and Sanford Seminole (<a href="https://www.prepgirlshoops.com/2019/11/top-performers-sanford-seminole-at-apopka/">read recap here</a>).</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>Lake Highland Prep 67, Winter Park 50</p> <p>Evans 56, Osceola 36</p> <p>Lake Wales 72, East River 52</p> <p>Apopka 67, Hagerty 43</p> <p>Vero Beach 61 Colonial 41</p> <p>Leesburg 64, Windermere 59</p> <p>Central Florida Christian 59, Ocoee 58</p> <p>Here is a look at the first part of the top performers list.</p> <h3><strong>Riley Kugel &amp; Nick Rodriguez (Central Florida Christian)</strong></h3> <p>Saving his best for last on his birthday, 2022 6'5" guard <strong>Riley Kugel</strong> barely missed in the 59-58 win over Ocoee to cap off the evening. He had the buzzer beating bucket to give him 21 points in the game and lift his team to a hard fought victory. Kugel was superb from deep and his ballhandling and attacking looks effortless. He's very calm with the ball in his hands. As for 2022 5'11" guard <strong>Nick Rodriguez</strong>, he had a bunch of key 3's to keep his team in it with 16 points. 2021 6'2" guard <strong>Marcos Martinez </strong>impressed as well with eight points as he was instinctive and good headed towards the rack.</p> <h3><strong>Jyre McCloud &amp; D'andre Seward (Leesburg)</strong></h3> <p>Leesburg came out fast and finished strong against last season's Class 8A state semifinalist Windermere. It was 2020 6'5" guard <strong>Jyre McCloud</strong> that got his side going and he was steady throughout with 14 points. 2020 6'4" guard/forward <strong>D'andre Seward</strong> was a bully down low and on the break with his burst and clear upper body strength as he bowled over defenders on his way to a team-best 17 points. The Yellow Jackets are back with a vengeance after missing the regional tournament a season ago following two straight state titles.</p> <h3><strong>Kordell Brown &amp; David Green (Ocoee)</strong></h3> <p>I loved the energy from 2020 6'7" forward <strong>Kordell Brown</strong> for Ocoee. He was really good all game long and was a difference maker on the boards, as a shooter and as a pusher in transition. Brown led the Knights with 23 points while 2020 6'7" Hofstra commit <strong>David Green</strong> came on late in the second half to give his team a boost with 14 points. Both players are comfortable handling the rock and leading the offense.</p> <h3><strong>Trey Moss (Windermere)</strong></h3> <p>Adding a team-high 22 points in Windermere's comeback bid loss to Leesburg, 2021 6'3" guard <strong>Trey Moss </strong>did everything he could to help the Wolverines keep it close. Down double digits most of the night, he was hitting tough step back jumpers, getting inside and finishing and drawing many trips to the free throw line. Fellow 2021 5'11" guard <strong>EJ Yorke</strong> was kept in check in the first half, but finished with 18 points to pace Moss as he had some impressive takes to the basket. I also liked 2021 6'5" guard <strong>Jaden Golston</strong> (transfer from Montverde) as he recorded six points and certainly deserves more playing time with his offensive prowess.</p> <h2><strong>Rodney Wenze &amp; John Latimer III (Apopka)</strong></h2> <p>Combining for 29 points in a win over Hagerty, 2020 6'4" forward <strong>Rodney Wenze </strong>(15 points) and 2021 6'1" guard <strong>John  Latimer</strong> (14 points) were instrumental. Wenze was working his way inside, grabbing boards and scoring off feeds time and time again. He's a transfer from Wekiva who has provided an added element to this Apopka group. Latimer III was doing his usual as a strong and confident attacker while setting things up for his teammates.</p> <h3><strong>Victor Brown (Lake Highland Prep)</strong></h3> <p>The leader for Lake Highland Prep, 2020 6'4" guard <strong>Victor Brown</strong> had a standout first half and did plenty to help his offense on the break before most of the starters sat out with the game in hand. He had 16 points and was hitting 3's at a high clip. 2022 6'4" guard <strong>Brice Sensabaugh</strong> did plenty to add to the cause with eight points while 2023 6'6" forward <strong>Sean Stewart </strong>played a lot in the second half and finished with six points.</p> <h3><strong>Chris Peterson (Vero Beach)</strong></h3> <p>A bruiser and strong nosed guard, 2020 6'3" Vero Beach starter <strong>Chris Peterson</strong> was the best thing going for his side in a win over Colonial in an early evening tilt. He was routinely getting by defenders and his mix of footspeed and upper body strength helps him do just that. Peterson led the Indians with 23 points and is poised for a steady senior campaign. 2021 6'3" guard <strong>Almondo Cyrius</strong> assisted with 14 points of his own.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Final Score:<br /> <br /> Central Florida Christian 59<br /> Ocoee 58<br /> <br /> 2022 Riley Kugel hit the clutch buzzer beater on his birthday to win it. <br /> <br /> ????scoring leaders <a href="https://twitter.com/cfcahoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cfcahoops</a> <br /> Kugel 21<br /> Nick Rodriguez 16<a href="https://twitter.com/OcoeeBball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OcoeeBball</a> <br /> Kordell Brown 23<br /> David Green 14<a href="https://twitter.com/gustafson_coach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gustafson_coach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hustlecoachko?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hustlecoachko</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MetroVsFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MetroVsFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/TUUdp6FhFN">pic.twitter.com/TUUdp6FhFN</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1200982312940376064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>