South Florida: Rim Protectors

<p>When you think of South Florida sports, you immediately think of the athletes that come out of this area. Every where you look, players are showing off their array of athletic talent and putting the ball in the basket in unique ways. While skill players here are a dime a dozen, it is even more vital to have individuals who can limit possessions and protect the rim.</p> <p>With that being said, lets look at some players who do the "dirty" work for their teams.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="716877" first="Brandon" last="Sanders"]</strong> - <em>South Miami: Sanders, a 6’10" 2020 center, might be the anchor of this list after averaging 11.1 rebounds and a astounding eight blocks per game according to MaxPreps. When digging deeper, Sanders eclipsed double-digit blocks in four games this season, including a 14-block performance against <strong>Crestwood Prep</strong> (Ontario). While the number might jump out of you, the senior can alter shot attempts and disrupt offensive sets with his length alone. If you are looking at a marker for an opponents field goal percentage to collapse, point to Sanders as one of the reasons. In helping South Miami to a 22-win season, Sanders picked up an offer from <strong>Illinois State</strong>. <br /> </em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="827901" first="Andre" last="Weir"]</strong> - <em>Chaminade- Madonna</em>: <em>At 6-foot-10 and 265-pounds, the Richmond bound commit was a formidable force in the middle for the Lions this season. With his combination of length and size, opponents were more than often limited to single shot opportunities with Weir in the middle. The 2020 center was a lock for double-digit rebounds on most nights and corralled 27 in a game against <strong>Pine Crest</strong> this season according to MaxPreps. If I had to put a analogy on Weir, you are looking at a true center with an offensive lineman (left tackle) finesse in the paint. Simply put, very few kids had the muscle of Weir to match-up with him on a play by play basis. <br /> </em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="827884" first="Yussif" last="Basa-Ama"]</strong>: <em>St. Andrews: When you win your first state championship in school history, it helps to have a player with the defensive ability of Basa-Ama. The Yale bound commit averaged 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game according to MaxPreps this season. Moreover, Basa-Ama recorded double-digit rebounds in sixteen games for the Scots, including a pair of games where he recorded eight offensive rebounds against <strong>Benjamin</strong> and <strong>Gulliver</strong> <strong>Prep</strong> and nine against <strong>Calvary Christian Academy</strong>. A high IQ player, the Florida 3A player of the year will be an excellent addition to the Ivy League next season.<br /> </em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="712107" first="Taylor" last="Hendricks"]</strong> - <em>University School</em>: <em>The 6’8" forward is the next big name for the Sharks, who have become a state power after recently winning back-to-back state championships. The 2022 D-1 <a href="https://247sports.com/player/taylor-hendricks-46077123/">prospec</a>t averaged 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game according to MaxPreps. Against <strong>Mater Lakes Academy</strong> in January, Hendricks grabbed 16 rebounds and recorded four blocks in the Sharks victory. After suffering a loss to <strong>Stranahan</strong> in the state playoffs, Hendricks should be hungry to lead U-School back to Lakeland next season. </em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="827954" first="Inady" last="Legiste"]</strong> - <em>Stranahan</em>: <em>The 6-foot-7 senior was a marquee factor in helping Stranahan win its second consecutive state championship. Legiste had a string of double-digit rebounding efforts for the Mighty Dragons, including fourteen against <strong>Blanche Ely</strong> back in January. Overall, Legiste and his senior class established a winning culture at Stranahan, winning 51 games over the past two seasons. Moreover, the senior stamped an identity of toughness and perseverance that should carry on with the classes below him. Currently, Legiste has offers from <strong>North Dakota State College of Science</strong> and has received interest from <strong>UMass of Boston</strong> and <strong>Tusculum</strong>.  <br /> </em></p> <p><strong><em>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</em></strong></p>