Evangelical Christian School Summer Shootout Notes

<p>Yesterday I made the long, pretty drive from Orlando down to Fort Myers through rural Florida to watch the first day of the Evangelical Christian School Summer Shootout. These are some of the players who stood out:</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Charlotte High School has one of best Tandems in the State</p> <p>SF/PF [player_tooltip player_id="818646" first="Tre" last="Carroll"] 6-7 (2021)</p> <p>One of the most highly regarded players in Florida, Carroll had a solid showing on Thursday. Playing point guard for Charlotte, he showed the ability to handle the basketball for a guy his size, beating his man off the dribble on strong drives for the finish. With size on the perimeter, he should cause a lot of problems as a mismatch for opposing teams next winter.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="812623" first="John" last="Gamble"] 6-5 (2023)</p> <p>With next level athleticism, Gamble also showed that he can shoot the ball efficiently from behind the 3-point line. Against, Sarasota Riverview he sank at least six 3-pointers, off the catch, and off the dribble. Gamble was also impressive in transition finishing with some big dunks after getting into passing lanes. With offers already from big time Division I schools, Gamble should have several college coaches coming to see him play over the next few years.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Canterbury will be one of Southwest Florida’s top teams</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="818939" first="Landon" last="Howard"] 6-4 (2021)</p> <p>Canterbury had great chemistry, which is a good sign for the Cougars going into the 2020-2021 season. A recent transfer from Ft. Myers, Howard looks like he is primed to be one of Southwest Florida’s break out players next season. With a high basketball IQ, the wing was shooting extremely well from behind the 3-point line and showed that he can read the defense, driving and dishing to cutting teammates on several occasions. He also takes great pride in playing defense, and wants to guard the best player on the opposing team.</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="818701" first="Alan" last="Cedeno"] 5-11 (2021)</p> <p>One of the best guards in Southwest Florida, Cedeno looks like he is primed to pick up right where he left off next season. The shifty floor general, made some plays getting to the basket, hitting 3’s, and finding open teammates. In addition to being skilled on the court, Cedeno maintains a 4.5 GPA, which should create more opportunities when it comes to playing at the collegiate level.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="953078" first="Abedola" last="Adebayo"] 6-8 (2021)</p> <p>In addition to being one of the most imposing players in the area, Adebayo showed a great motor on Thursday. He blocked several shots, was great on the glass, and cleaned up teammates misses with put-backs. On a few occasions, he broke loose from the defense for impressive dunks, at least once from an impressive pass from Howard.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Sarasota-Riverview Loaded with Talent</p> <p>CG [player_tooltip player_id="962544" first="Jason" last="Jackson"] 6-4 (2023)</p> <p>One of the most gifted players in Florida regardless of class, Jackson showed great promise on both sides of the ball. A freak athlete, the combo guard dunked in traffic on several occasions, and got to the basket at will. Defensively, Jackson chased around the opposing teams best guards, got into passing lanes, and tracked down players on the break to block their shots against the backboard. With Virginia Tech representing his first offer, expect several more big conference schools to follow suite.</p> <p>SF [player_tooltip player_id="818649" first="Jayven" last="Millien"] 6-7 (2021)</p> <p>Millien is a long, athletic prospect who plays above the rim, and thrives in transition. On a few occasions, the wing went back door on the opposing teams defense, and finished with a big dunk. Against Charlotte, he hit at least five shots from the mid-range, usually off the dribble.   With a few low to mid-major Division I offers, Millien should again be one of the better players on the gulf side of Florida.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Naples should again be Top Tier</p> <p>SF [player_tooltip player_id="818707" first="Tony" last="Green"] 6-6 (2021)</p> <p>An athletic wing, Green looks to build off of a junior season in which he led Naples to their first Final Four in many years. At the ECS shootout, Green showed why so many schools have been calling him this summer. With above average athleticism, and great length Green was able to score from all three levels. In the game against Riverview he made at least four 3-pointers, and had a huge put back dunk to help lead his team to a victory. Add the ECS shootout as another solid showing against good competition for one of Southwest Florida’s top prospects.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>CG Jonas Duclona 5-11(2023)</p> <p>A standout on the football field, Duclona brings some of that football toughness over from the gridiron to the hardwood. Extremely competitive, the combo guard was great on defense, hit several 3-pointers, and made some strong drives to the basket. With Naples having lost a few key guards to graduation, expect Duclona to help bridge the gap.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Evangelical Christian</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="818722" first="Aaron" last="Jones"] 6-7 (2021)</p> <p>Back for a final year of high school hoops, expect Jones to post huge numbers for ECS. At the shootout, Jones showed great ability to stretch the floor hitting several 3-Pointers, was active on the glass, and scored several times in the post going over his left shoulder, often finishing through contact. The mismatch nightmare also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. In addition to being a standout on the hardwood, Jones also takes care of business in the classroom boasting a 3.7 GPA.</p> <p>SG Jordon Rivera 6-3 (2022)</p> <p>With ECS having lost several key pieces to its starting lineup, I would put money on Rivera being their number one scoring option on the perimeter. A slasher, Rivera excelled getting to the basket, and on a couple of occasions put defenders in posters with some impressive finishes at the rim. With two full seasons left to get stronger and polish his game, this is certainly a guard I could see playing in college at the right fit.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Port Charlotte</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="955583" first="Alex" last="Perry"] 6-5 (2022)</p> <p>Averaging close to double digits as a sophomore, Perry should be one of the premier players in the area as a junior. With decent length and athletic ability, Perry can score inside and out. In the lone game I watched, he showed the ability to shoot from long range, and attack the basket. This young man has a bright future ahead of him.</p>