Hoop Exchange Fall Festival Notebook (Part II)

<p>This weekend I attended the Hoop Exchange at the Big House sports complex in Taveres. Teams from all over the state came to compete and the fear of missing out was at an all-time high with multiple games being played simultaneously. It seemed as if every single game featured at least one prospect that had a legitimate chance of earning a college basketball scholarship. NBA players such as Nassir Little, Michael Stewart, and Marreese Speights were all in attendance as well as current Florida Gator Tre Mann who came to watch his younger brother. These are some notes that I took on Forest (Ocala), Bishop McLaughlin, and Impact Christian:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Forest (Ocala)</strong></p> <p>Forest (Ocala) went 20-9 last year as arguably the cities top team. Although they lost leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="828202" first="Jake" last="Charske"] to graduation (now playing for Ave Maria) the cupboard is far from empty. A trio of prospects from the class of 2022 should keep them on the radar as one of their areas top teams.</p> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="829386" first="Brenen" last="Lorient"] 6-8 </strong></p> <p>One of the states top rising prospects Lorient was rather under the radar before this travel season. This weekend he showed why Illinois-Chicago offered him a scholarship and other college programs are starting to move in. For starters, the big man has all the tools to develop into a big-time defender at the next level. He has smooth feet, and wingspan that appears to be at least seven feet long which enables him to block shots and rebound at a high rate. In the two full games, I watched he did not shy away from competition defending well known Bishop McLaughlin forward [player_tooltip player_id="814898" first="Dillon" last="Mitchell"], and Lee’s [player_tooltip player_id="714771" first="Alex" last="Fudge"]. Lorient more than held his own. The Ocala standout does his best work slashing to the basket and posting up, but can also facilitate out of the high post. With two years left to improve his handle and consistency shooting the ball the sky is the limit for the forward who has not even began to scratch the surface of his potential.</p> <p><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="829394" first="Jeremiah" last="Russell"] 6-5, F [player_tooltip player_id="829385" first="Elijah" last="Russell"] 6-8</strong></p> <p>Other than being talented basketball players there is nothing to indicate that Jeremiah and Elijah are twin brothers. Jeremiah is a long combo guard whose wingspan and smooth feet allow him to be an excellent defender. He is also very patient when running the offense and more than capable of knocking down the open 3-point shot and getting to the basket.</p> <p>Elijah is a tough below the rim power forward who uses his strength to seal off defenders in the post and grab rebounders. The broad shouldered post player also has great vision passing from the low and high post and nice touch on his jump shot.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bishop McLaughlin</strong></p> <p>After having a rough season 2019-2020 season Bishop McLaughlin decided to hire former South Florida stand out and overseas professional player Derrick Sharp as head coach. His son Emanuel who was one of the state’s top scorers last year at Blake HS decided to follow his father to McLaughlin. Three of the Tampa area’s better players also decided to transfer into McLaughlin as well and all showcased their talents this weekend.</p> <p><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="546182" first="Emanuel" last="Sharp"] 6-4 2022</strong></p> <p>Against Forest (Ocala) Sharp picked up right where he left off last season scoring the ball. A physical player, he was able use a mix of sneaky athleticism and power to get to the basket often finishing through contact and getting to the foul line. Sharp also showed great anticipation defensively cheating his way into passing lanes to get steals resulting in transition points. Recruiting wise Sharp has offers from Florida, Texas Tech and a handful of other Big 5 conference schools.</p> <p><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="955772" first="Anthony" last="Davis"] Jr. 6-5 2022</strong></p> <p>He has no famed unibrow but against Forest he chased an opponent down to block a shot that would have made the NBA player of the same name proud. All jokes aside, the wing is great defensively and is at his best when he aggressively attacks the basket. Fairfield and Bryant have offered and I am more than confident many more will follow.</p> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="814898" first="Dillon" last="Mitchell"] 6-8 2022</strong></p> <p>Long arms allow Mitchell to snatch rebounds block shots and score in close to the basket. Throughout the game against Forest, the forward snatched offensive rebounds for put backs, ran the floor hard, and had a few impressive dunks. Adding strength to his lanky frame will benefit him greatly, as well as tightening up his handles but his upside is undeniable. Florida and South Florida are two teams working the hardest recruiting wise for the combo forward and expect many others to get involved.</p> <p><strong>SF Josh Watkins 6-6 2022</strong></p> <p>Watkins has had a solid summer honing his craft with Team Judah Nation and the fruits of his labor were shown on Saturday. An excellent spot up shooter from 3-point land, he also got out in transition and displayed some athleticism dunking the ball. As is the case for most young players with long arms standing 6-6 he will need to add strength to his slight frame but he is an intriguing prospect.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Impact Christian</strong></p> <p>Losing a heart breaker in the state final to Orlando Christian Prep last year, Impact Christian again looks to be one of North Florida’s top high school teams. In the games that I watched three interchangeable forwards stood out.</p> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="714825" first="Ivan" last="Lawson"] 6-6 2021</strong></p> <p>This was the third tournament that I’ve seen Lawson and I really like his approach. The kid simply never backs down, and is not afraid to mix it up inside or attempt block dunk attempts. He loves to drive to his left, and post up finishing over his right shoulder. The forward runs the floor hard, has a solid midrange game, and can take bigger opponents off the dribble.</p> <p><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="818662" first="Calvin" last="Johnson"] 6-6 (2021), F [player_tooltip player_id="814927" first="Kelvin" last="Johnson"] 6-6 (2022)</strong></p> <p>The Johnson brothers always seem to be on the same page knowing exactly where each other is going to be on the court. Both players can handle the ball on the perimeter, and work on the interior and with Lawson form a trio of forwards that’s going to cause a lot of problems for opponents this winter.</p>