Ocala Area Names to Know

<p style="text-align: left;">Over the next few weeks I will be going over different areas of Florida and examining each of these areas top prospects. This week I will start with Ocala. Despite having a low population, there are still several players worth mentioning.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="829386" first="Brenen" last="Lorient"] 6-8 Forest 2022</p> <p>Lorient has been one of the major stock risers this summer playing  AAU basketball with 1 Family. His play has caught the eyes of several Division I programs this summer at all levels. Of the schools that he has been in contact with, Illinois Chicago, Stetson, and Florida Gulf Coast have extended scholarship offers. On a 20-9 Forest (Ocala) team the big man averaged 9.4 PPG,6.4 RPG while shooting 57% from the field as a sophomore. With former teammate [player_tooltip player_id="828202" first="Jake" last="Charske"] now beginning his first collegiate season at Ave Maria, I expect Lorient to fill the scoring void left behind. An exceptional athlete with long arms and a great motor, the forward should only improve as his upside, and long term potential are intriguing.</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="953508" first="Aaron" last="James"] 5-10 Vanguard 2021</p> <p>James  had himself a great summer playing with Ocala Impact on the AAU circuit. Known for his scoring prowess last season at Vanguard,  he has improved as a playmaker who can facilitate for others. In 2019-2020 the speedy point guard averaged 16.2 PPG, 2.4 APG and 1.6 SPG while sinking 48 three pointers at 35% percent rate. Recruiting wise James has received offers from NAIA Olivet Nazarene, as well as Utica College, Crown College, UW-Stevens Point, Dean College, Manchester College and Northern Vermont at the Division III level.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="818868" first="Reshaad" last="Hill"] 6-6 West Port 2021</p> <p>One the better shot blockers not only in Ocala but the entire state last season, Hill seems poised for another big winter. Last year the bouncy forward averaged 7.6 PPG,12.1 RPG to go along with an absurd 6.2 BPG. While defense is his calling card, Hill can also go up and get it catching alley-oop dunks, and can score off of post ups. The West Port high stand out should be one of the Ocala areas best big men for another season.</p> <p>SF/PF [player_tooltip player_id="1069198" first="Devon" last="Casey"] 6-6 Dunnellon 2021</p> <p>An impressive finisher with some serious leaping ability, Casey is another player who was tuned some heads on the AAU circuit. Last season at Dunnellon the combo forward put up a stat line of 9.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG and just under a block per game. Casey can knock down the mid range jumper, and can also step out behind the 3-point line and hit an occasional shot.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="814931" first="Matthew" last="Webster"] 6-7 Pasco 2022</p> <p>Although a little bit further from Ocala, I decided to include Hernando forward big man Matt Webster anyway. This past summer the forward worked on his game playing with the Tampa Titans on the AAU circuit. With long arms and above average athleticism Webster showed he can run the floor, block shots, grab rebounds, and finish in close at a high rate. Last season as a sophomore he was the focal point of the Pirates offense scoring 20.4 PPG in addition to grabbing 7.8 RPG, and blocking 3.3 shots per game. He also showed that he can stretch the floor connecting on 22 3-pointers at a 44 percent rate.</p> <p>C [player_tooltip player_id="829385" first="Elijah" last="Russell"] 6-8 Forest 2022</p> <p>Playing his first season of football, Russell has been standing out as a pass rusher for the Wildcats. While football may be his calling card, in the winter he excels manning the middle for Forest. At 6-8 with a defensive ends build, Russell has a surprisingly soft touch from the mid-range, and can knock down the open 3-pointer. Last season the big man averaged 8.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG numbers that should only improve with time.</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="829394" first="Jeremiah" last="Russell"] 6-5 Forrest 2022</p> <p>The twin brother of Elijah, Russell is another player who seems to have the potential to play college hoops. While his twin brother likes to mix it up in the post, Jeremiah is a guard with fluid athleticism and smooth feet that allow him to be a difference maker on the defensive end on the perimeter. With more opportunity Russell should be a standout this season for the Wildcats with the ability to play on and off the ball.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1069200" first="Jerek" last="Evans"] 6-3 West Port 2021</p> <p>A long athletic slasher, Evans is the leading returning scorer for the Wolfpack this season. While improving as a shooter is an area Evans has been working on, he impacts the game defensively with quick hands and uses his mix of speed and athleticism to get to the basket. Last season the wing put up numbers of 13 PPG and 4 RPG. An excellent student he currently holds a 3.72 GPA.</p>