Battle of the South Notebook (Part 2)

<p>This weekend I made another trip out to the Big House Sports Complex in Taveres for the Battle of the South tournament. Of all the tournaments that I have attended this summer, this was by far the most competitive I have seen. With several of Florida’s best teams in town from all over the state, the field was packed with college level talent. In the championship game Team Speights came out on top of Team Florida 63-61 avenging it’s only loss of the weekend. These are a few of the players who stood out across two action packed days of basketball:</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Each 1 Teach 1</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"] 6-4 Orlando Christian Prep 2022</p> <p>Every time I’ve seen Brown play he looks like he’s gotten a little bit better. With a long wing span and above average athleticism the scoring guard’s game will translate well to the next level. Against two of Each 1 Teach 1’s better opponents Brown showed his best performances. Against Team Florida he scored from all over the court finishing with 22 points in a win. In the semi final against Team Speights, Brown led the charge that almost brought his team back scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 26. As he continues to get stronger his offer list that already includes Alabama, Stetson, Hofstra, and South Florida should expand. A top student with a 4.4 GPA Ivy League schools are also showing interest.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="814903" first="Ben" last="Middlebrooks"] 6-9 Westminster Academy 2022</p> <p>Averaging over 10 PPG on the weekend and likely near if not double digit rebounds, Middlebrooks was a force to be reckoned with all tournament long. With the ability to shoot the 3-point shot, this weekend he put the ball on the floor more attacking big men off the dribble. Against Team Florida he was instrumental in there one point victory battling inside against a front line that consisted of five players 6’8 or taller. While not the most explosive athlete Middlebrooks does a great job of getting position and using finesse in the post to get the better of opponents. With a long list of offers that includes several ACC and SEC schools, Middlebrooks looks poised for a big junior season.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Q6 All Stars</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="714918" first="John" last="Latimer III"] 6-1 Apopka 2021</p> <p>Latimer played well yet again averaging 20 points per game leading his team to a 2-1 record that saw Q6 lose in a double overtime heart breaker to Raptors Elite. Against Raptors Elite he made several key plays to extend the game hitting several mid range pull-ups and three 3-pointers on his way to 28 points. Recruiting wise Latimer holds offers from Holy Cross, Presbyterian, NJIT, and Rollins.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Raptors Elite</p> <p>C [player_tooltip player_id="953516" first="Jack" last="Klinger"] 6-8 Lake Brantley 2022</p> <p>In a day and age where big men like to float out on the perimeter instead of posting up and rebounding, seeing an old school big man is truly refreshing. [player_tooltip player_id="953516" first="Jack" last="Klinger"] is just that. He understands his role and is an elite version of himself rebounding, protecting the basket, and scoring close. With sneaky athleticism Klinger caught an unsuspecting defender for a poster dunk this weekend against Q6. While improving his lateral quickness and adding muscle to his massive frame are priorities, there is no denying the young mans potential. Holding a 4.4 GPA this is player that high academic schools need to monitor very closely these next two seasons.</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="818709" first="Rodney" last="Bryant"] 6-0 Mount Dora Christian Academy 2021, G Donovan Stokes 6-4 Wekiva 2021, G Quantary Roberson 6-1 Wekiva 2021</p> <p>Bryant always seems to save his best performances for when the competition is the most challenging. When the Raptors Elite squared off against a tough Q6 All Stars team, he poured in a team leading 22 points. While a bit undersized, there is no doubting Bryant is capable of being a productive college basketball player. The Raptors also earned strong performaces from a pair of cousins from Wekiva. Stokes who sports a little more size than the other two guards showed off some quick handles and always seemed to have an answer when Q6 started to pull away also finishing with 22. Roberson showed the ability to score from all over the court, and hit a game tying off balance prayer from well beyond the 3-point line to send the game into overtime. All three players looked poised to have major senior seasons.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">SOH Elite</p> <p>G/F [player_tooltip player_id="818777" first="Reggie" last="Luis"] 6-5 Christopher Columbus (Miami) 2021</p> <p>Few have improved their stock as much as Luis has this summer. Every single game he has played this summer he has given opposing teams headaches. Against the Q6 All Stars Luis manufactured points from strong drives to the basket, perimeter shots, and getting on the glass for put backs as well as scoring in transition. At a long 6-5 he has the ability to defend and play multiple positions on the perimeter, and has several moves attacking the basket. After a strong showing this weekend Luis picked up his first Division I offer from Northeastern University and I would be willing to bet more will follow.</p> <p>G/F Angel Pimentel Montas 6-5 Life Christian Academy 2022</p> <p>A member of the Dominican Republic U-16 naitonal team, Montas has also had a very strong summer. With a sturdy frame he is able to over power most players on his way to the basket, but against the Q6 All Stars he showed the ability to shoot the ball knocking down three 3-pointers on his way to 15 points. With the ability to rebound at a high rate offensively and defensively from the perimeter the sky is the limit for a player who will without a doubt have his fair share of opportunities to play at the next level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>