Palm Beach Best Bets: Part 2

<p>Heading up the Florida Turnpike, I would like to continue my "best bet" selections with the fantastic prospects we have in Palm Beach County.  As I have mentioned, this is not necessarily a list of players who I believe will finish on the top line. Going with the theme, this correlation projects guys who are good "bets" to end up on a high postseason superlative. </p> <p>Let’s take a look at our neighbors to the north...</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829401" first="Mark" last="Cueto"]</strong> - <em>Benjamin School</em></p> <p>Up in Palm Beach Gardens, the Buccaneers have a stellar two-sport athlete in 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829401" first="Mark" last="Cueto"]. Before making his mark on the court, Cueto lights things up on the gridiron as a tight end/defensive end for the football team. The 6-foot-3 Cueto averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds across 19 games. In those contests, Cueto failed to reach double-digits in all but one game. Against powerhouse <strong>St. Andrew’s</strong>, Cueto scored 20 points on 8-of-13 from the field. Given his size, Cueto is an excellent rebounder and can defend multiple positions. The junior will look to turnaround the Bucs 9-16 record from a season ago. Look for him to vault past his honorable mention selection as as sophomore.</p> <p><strong>Christian Bacquerizo</strong> - <em>Olympic Heights</em></p> <p>Over in Boca Raton, the Lions have an all-around player in Christian Bacquerizo. The 2021 guard averaged 14.3 points and 5.4 rebounds for Olympic Heights. Another player who rebounds his position well, Bacquerizo had 13 games with six or more boards. Moreover, many of those contests came late in the season. As far as scoring, Bacquerizo recorded double-figures in 18 of 19 games. Against <strong>Spanish River</strong>, Bacquerizo scored 28 points on 11-of-16 from the field. Foreshadowing that point, Bacquerizo connected on well over 50% from the field as a junior. His honorable mention selection by the Palm Beach Post should be passed as a senior. </p> <p><strong>Tylar Cerez</strong> - <em>Seminole Ridge</em></p> <p>Seminole Ridge played well late in the season in part to the play of Cerez. The Hawks won five or their last six games with Cerez scoring in double-figures in four of them. Against <strong>Pahokee</strong>, the 2021 combo guard scored 26 points and hit 14 free-throws. Overall, Cerez averaged 13.5 points and 3.9 rebounds across 17 games. The senior will look to give the Hawks a winning record after finishing 9-13 a season ago. Cerez was an honorable mention selection as a junior. Look out for him in<strong> Loxahatchee</strong>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953436" first="CJ" last="Leslie"]</strong> - <em>Oxbridge Academy</em></p> <p>While the ThunderWolves might have struggled in the win column, C.J. Leslie certainly did his part. The 2021 small forward averaged 13.2 points and 3.9 rebounds across 21 games. The 6-foot-4 Leslie also has the athleticism to slide over as a shooting guard. The numbers certainly justify that claim as he scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-16 from the field against <strong>Cardinal Newman</strong>. Moreover, Leslie scored 20 or more points in three other contests. On the glass, Leslie collected over 100 boards with a season-best thirteen against <strong>Somerset Academy-Canyons</strong>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962585" first="Prescott" last="Limag"]e</strong> - <em>Lake Worth Christian</em></p> <p>Over in <strong>Boynton Beach</strong>, Limage is a player to keep an eye on due to a couple of factors. First of all, the 2023 guard played well in his first high school season after averaging 10.4 points across 26 games. Furthermore, Limage carries the weight of replacing three of the Defenders top four scorers. If his first season is any indication, Limage should not have a problem bearing the responsibility. Of his 26 games, Limage scored in double-figures in 14 of them. Against <strong>Somerest Academy Key</strong>, Limage exploded for 26 points and hit seven 3-pointers<strong>. </strong>The experience he gained as a freshman should pay dividends moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818946" first="RJ" last="Morris"]</strong> - <em>Jupiter Christian</em></p> <p>The Eagles enjoyed a terrific season behind Morris and 2020 <strong>Bidje Pierre. </strong>The talented combo averaged over 32 points and 11 rebounds together while leading the team to 18 victories. With Pierre gone, Morris takes on the mantle of keeping the Eagles to its winning ways. The 6-foot-2 guard/forward certainly has the athleticism to keep things shining over in Jupiter. Morris scored in double-figures in 20 of 25 games as a junior. The Eagles senior is a threat from deep, having connected on 57 3-pointers last season. Morris should get off the honorable mention list in his final campaign.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong></em></p>