Battle of the South (Part 3)

<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;">Team Shahbaz</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="814913" first="Esteban" last="Lluberes"] 5-9 Riviera Prep 2022 , F [player_tooltip player_id="709232" first="Osmar" last="Garcia Araujo"] 6-7 Riviera Prep 2023</p> <p>Two years ago I watched Riviera Prep play in the state semi final held in Lakeland. I couldn’t help but notice Riviera Prep’s starting point guard was a freshmen and forward was just an 8^th grader. Last Saturday, I saw the impressive duo again. Lluberes while not large in stature has a very big game. With great quickness, and a tight handle the point guard is very hard to stay in front of. Against top competition Lluberes was able to average double figures while knocking down the 3-point shot at a high rate while also setting up his teammates with scoring opportunities. A defensive pest, he was able to get under the skin of opposing teams guards with his quick hands and intense approach. As for Araujo, the big man was significantly quicker in the post than when I saw him two years ago. As one of the few players on Team Shahbaz with any size the forward showed of impressive footwork and a large array of post moves while drawing the opposing teams best post defender. A mismatch nightmare Araujo knows when to use his power game, and when to use his quickness. The future is bright for the Riviera Prep tandem.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Tampa Bay Hawks</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="953083" first="Bryce" last="Johnson"] 6-3 Oldsmar Christian, F Jakare  Carroll Newton 6-5 Oldsmar Christian</p> <p>The Tampa Bayhawks earned steady contributions from 2021 duo Johnson, and Newton Carroll. Johnson who recently received his first Division I offer from Morgan State was at his best against the Jacksonville Warriors knocking down three 3-pointers, finding his way to the free throw line and had an impressive two handed put back dunk. He finished with 21 points in the contest leading his team to a narrow victory. Carroll Newton uses a mix of athleticism and power to manufacture his offense playing both forward positions. Finishing with 17 points, he also showed the ability to stretch the floor with two 3 -point makes. The impressive pair will be worth watching next season in the SIAA at Oldsmar Christian.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Jacksonville Warriors</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="955800" first="James" last="Morrow"] 6-7 Jackson 2022,C [player_tooltip player_id="714909" first="Marquez" last="Ray"] 6-9 Jackson 2021, G Kenny Young 6-1 Ed White 2022</p> <p>Expect two things from Jackson HS this season, they are going to have one of the tallest rosters in the FHSAA, and they will again be one of the best teams in 4A. [player_tooltip player_id="955800" first="James" last="Morrow"] and [player_tooltip player_id="714909" first="Marquez" last="Ray"] are a big reason why. Against the Tampa Bay Hawks, Morrow showed off and impressive set of post skills often finishing through contact and also showed a soft touch on his jump shot. On a few plays, the young big finished going over his left shoulder, and another he finished a reverse layup. He finished the game with 20 points. As for Ray, the big man is a legitimate 6-9 and while not the quickest athlete, he showed great timing as a shot blocker which I counted at least four. The center also scored in close to the basket on tip ins, and through contact for the and one. On the perimeter the Warriors got a major contribution from Kenny Young. The guard shot the ball from 3-point range with great accuracy sinking 3 and finishing with 13 points.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Central Florida Rising Stars</p> <p>PG Nathan Rembert 5-8 Wildwood 2021, SG [player_tooltip player_id="549082" first="Nasir" last="Mann"] 6-4 The Villages 2021</p> <p>While probably the smallest player in the tournament, Nate Rembert didn’t let that keep him from contributing to his team in a big way. With a quick cross over dribble Rembert has mastered the step back to create space for his quick release jump shot. He also does a great job of finding his teammates in pick and roll, pick and pop situations. Against Rainey Elite the lead guard finished with 21 points and found uber athletic forward Antonio Rizzo on an impressive alley oop dunk in transition. At shooting guard, [player_tooltip player_id="549082" first="Nasir" last="Mann"] who is the younger brother of current Florida Gator Tre Mann showed that he himself has game. Against Team SOH and Rainey Elite he finished with 17 and 19 points , scoring the ball from all three levels.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Other Names:</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Team Speights</p> <p>SG Troy Boynton 6-4 Baylor HS (TN) 2021</p> <p>Boynton is always a steady performer for Team Speights. The guard rarely turns the ball over and always brings effort on defense often locking down the opposing teams best perimeter player. Boynton currently holds offers from FGCU, UNF, Stetson and Rollins.</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="818730" first="Bryce" last="Turner"] 6-6 Andrew Jackson 2021</p> <p>Turner is another long athletic player who will be attending Andrew Jackson HS next year. The combo forward had a huge performance this weekend against Shahbaz Elite finishing with 20 points.</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="714843" first="Anthony" last="Bittar"] 6-5 East Lake 2021</p> <p>A very athletic combo guard, Bittar was a problem for opposing teams defenses to keep out of the lane. The East Lake standout does an excellent job of drawing the help defense and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Tampa Bay Hawks</p> <p>F Owen Wightman 6-7 Newsome</p> <p>A broad shouldered big man, Wightman is a physical presence in the post that battles hard for rebounds. He also has very good vision passing out of the post, and can without a doubt play in college at some level.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Q6 All Stars</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="953090" first="Will" last="Searl"] 6-3 Boone</p> <p>Through out the AAU season, Searl has been one of Q6 most consistent performers. Every game it seems like he is in the 8 to 14 point range occasionally exploding for more. A knock down 3-point shooter, Searls defense is also underrated. With a recent offer from Division II Converse College, his recruitment is just starting to take off.</p> <p>PG/SG Jacari White 6-2 Olympia</p> <p>White saved his best performance for last as he scored 22 points against the Florida Raptors in a semifinal loss. With a quick first step, and some serious leaping ability the combo guard is a bit under the radar having his varsity career shortened by injury. College coaches would be wise to stop by Olympia High School this winter as White will share the backcourt with other college prospects EJ James and [player_tooltip player_id="818881" first="Tyeree" last="Bryan"].</p>