Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 9-16)

The FHSAA boys basketball season is just around the corner. The regular season tips off on Nov. 23. We will be looking at the top players to watch in all seven classes. Here is a peek at the top prospects to keep an eye on in Class 6A (Districts 9-16). ICYMI <pre><a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-7a-districts-1-8/">Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 1-8)</a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-7a-districts-9-16/">Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 9-16)</a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-6a-districts-1-8/">Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 1-8)</a> </pre> <h2 style="text-align: center;">2019-20 state champion: Bartow</h2> Region 3 - District 9 [player_tooltip player_id="818666" first="Dean" last="Gabrelcik"] (East Lake) A season after posting a 26-4 record and losing in the state semifinals, East Lake is poised for another deep run with a talented squad. At the forefront is Gabrelcik, a 2021 6-3 guard who earned offers from American and Stetson after a breakout summer with Team Speights. He was red hot as a shooter and has improved as a ballhandler and driver. Gabrelcik also furthered his leaping ability. He will be the top scoring option alongside two 2021 transfers from Countryside, 6-4 guard [player_tooltip player_id="714843" first="Anthony" last="Bittar"], an athletic ballhandler and scorer and 6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="818720" first="Mikey" last="Shane"], a talented deep ball shooter. 2023 6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="962396" first="Henry" last="Hurst"] will be tasked to do plenty alongside this senior trio and he is a strong athlete. [player_tooltip player_id="953421" first="Khamari" last="Smith"] (Mitchell) Doubling as a defensive back for the football team, Smith is one dangerous athlete. The 2021 5-11 guard averaged 18.7 PPG for Mitchell was a consistent scoring threat night in and night out as a junior. He should command a lot of attention from opposing defenses this season. His counterpart, 2022 6-2 guard [player_tooltip player_id="829392" first="Alec" last="Hilliard"] is in line for a key role once again as a slasher and leader. [player_tooltip player_id="818933" first="Quincy" last="Smith"] (Wiregrass Ranch) Wiregrass Ranch seems to always have talented guards and Smith is no different. The 2021 6-0 guard will be the vocal presence for this offense. His ballhandling and shooting touch are true assets. Other names to know: 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="829486" first="Noah" last="Chatman"] (East Lake), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962388" first="Justin" last="Kruszewski"] (East Lake), 2021 G Jack Stone (Freedom), 2022 G Josh Germain (Freedom), 2021 F Javon Nelson (Gaither), 2021 G Tahj Hunter (Gaither), 2021 G Nic Fairbank (Mitchell), 2021 G James Hill (Mitchell), 2021 G David Barr (Sunlake), 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="953102" first="Brayden" last="Tuel"] (Sunlake), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="956831" first="Josh" last="Martin"] (Wiregrass Ranch) and 2021 G Daniel Disalvo (Wiregrass Ranch). Region 3 - District 10 [player_tooltip player_id="818879" first="Xavier" last="Washington"] (Palmetto) Holding an offer from Stetson, Washington is one of the most promising prospects in the entire state. He averaged 18.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.0 BPG as a junior and had a season-best 30 point outing against Southeast. Washington should improve even further this season for Palmetto. [player_tooltip player_id="818697" first="Ray" last="Perry"] & [player_tooltip player_id="818759" first="Omarie" last="Sherrod"] (St. Pete) It will be all about the guard play per usual for St. Pete. With 2021 duo Perry and Sherrod there should be a lot of success and different looks. Perry is a 5-11 guard who is built like a boxer and simply doesn't back away from the contact on either end. Sherrod is a 5-9 guard who is a leaper and someone who has a lot of athleticism and speed to his game. ther names to know: 2021 F Owen Robinson (Largo), 2021 F Ethan Maidenberg (Largo), 2022 G Joel Jerry (Dixie Hollins), 2021 F Charles Armstrong (Manatee), 2021 F Josh Siplin (Palmetto), 2021 G/F Zorian Geathers (Palmetto), 2021 F Stevmoney Medaries (Pinellas Park), 2021 G AJ Boyd (Pinellas Park), 2021 G Angus Almond (Pinellas Park), 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="962457" first="Sam" last="Ducksworth"] (St. Pete) and 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962456" first="Quez" last="Curry"] (St. Pete). Region 3 - District 11 [player_tooltip player_id="818646" first="Tre" last="Carroll"] & [player_tooltip player_id="812623" first="John" last="Gamble"] (Charlotte) Charlotte has one of the most gifted duos in place in Carroll and Gamble. Carroll is a 2021 6-7 forward who recently committed to FAU. He is special as a driver to the rack and his combination of speed and length are too much for defenses. Alongside him again is a more seasoned guard in Gamble. The 2023 6-5 athlete is a superb ballhandler, speedy downhill attacker and a bouncy athlete. He holds offers from Ole Miss, Stetson and Mississippi Valley State. [player_tooltip player_id="818659" first="Javian" last="McCollum"] (Fort Myers) Headed to Siena next year, McCollum has his recruitment behind him and will continue to shatter scoring records at Fort Myers. The 2021 6-2 guard is a dangerous outside shooter and a player who has matured as a slasher and an all-around vocal leader. Another important guard in place is 2021 6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="818860" first="Jamin" last="Primus"]. He is a fast and athletic player who gets a lot done on his own and as a transition pusher. [player_tooltip player_id="829474" first="Karmani" last="Gregory"] (Braden River) Braden River has a rising talent in Gregory. The 2022 6-0 guard is hitting his peak right now and should break out in a major way for his side this season. He is a very quick and athletic point scoring guard. Other names to know: 2022 G Josiah Daniels (Braden River), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065491" first="Brandon" last="Swann"] (Braden River), 2022 G Ethan Mills (Braden River), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818791" first="Nnamdi" last="Edeoda"] (Charlotte), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065483" first="Jordany" last="Reyes Sanchez"] (Charlotte), 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="962452" first="Tynan" last="Becker"] (Charlotte), 2021 G DaMani Brown (Fort Myers), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962503" first="Atavious" last="Weave"]r (North Fort Myers), 2021 G Aiden Malone (North Fort Myers), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068756" first="Brett" last="Travers"] (Sarasota), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="1065415" first="Desmen" last="Lee"] (Sarasota), 2021 G Connor Flynn (Venice) and 2021 F Brian Boucher (Venice). Region 3 - District 12 [player_tooltip player_id="714811" first="Caleb" last="Jones"] (Dunbar) Officially committing to Division II Florida Southern this past week, Jones is ready to have another steady season. The 2021 6-2 guard is the heart and soul of the Dunbar backcourt and he is a very talented two-way guard. Surrounding him are 2021 6-6 forward [player_tooltip player_id="714842" first="Ahmad" last="Watkins"] who can fly down the floor and 2023 6-2 guard Shaun Russ, who is a gifted shooter and slasher. [player_tooltip player_id="714944" first="Ronnail" last="Tape"] (Lehigh) Lehigh always has hard workers and Tape fits the bill. The 2021 6-6 forward has added muscle and become stronger at the point of attack. He is going to be fed the ball plenty offensively. Also, 2021 6-6 forward Nate Cadet will play off of him well in the paint. Other names to know: 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818801" first="David" last="Lias"] (Dunbar), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="829499" first="Cargan" last="Murray"] (East Lee County), 2021 G Johnny Brown (East Lee County), 2021 F Carlos Santos (East Lee County), 2021 G Markel Carter (Lehigh), 2021 G Marvel Carter (Lehigh), 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="1060196" first="Eugene" last="Alvin"] (Lehigh), 2022 F Caleb Cousins (Palmetto Ridge), 2021 G Kamonte Grimes (Palmetto Ridge), 2021 G Malique Dieudonne (Palmetto Ridge), 2021 F Zach McLeod (Riverdale), 2021 G Antonio Paulino (Riverdale), 2021 G Naijah White (South Fort Myers), 2021 G Cade Daughtery (South Fort Myers) and 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="829478" first="Carson" last="Daughtery"] (South Fort Myers). Region 4 - District 13 [player_tooltip player_id="953503" first="Christian" last="Baquerizo"], [player_tooltip player_id="818863" first="Marc" last="Steig"] & [player_tooltip player_id="829421" first="Caleb" last="Mackrey"] (Olympic Heights) Olympic Heights has plenty of young talent in place. Baquerizo is a 2021 6-3 guard who averaged 14.3 PPG last season and was as consistent as they come. Steig, a 2021 5-10 guard was equally as impressive averaging 12.1 PPG and finding different ways to score all over the floor. The youngest of the trio is Mackrey, a 2022 6-2 guard who is ready to add even more to his plate after averaging 11.2 PPG. [player_tooltip player_id="829398" first="Ryan" last="Davis"] (Martin County) Davis is fresh off a season where he averaged 14.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG. He is versatile at his 6-4 frame and doesn't lack speed or toughness. An elusive forward, Davis is going to be the bonafide leader of this group once again. [player_tooltip player_id="956782" first="Conner" last="Weston"], [player_tooltip player_id="956796" first="DJ" last="Leigh"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953488" first="Darnell" last="Johnson"] (South Fork) There is a true steady trio in place at South Fork. Weston, a 2022 6-5 led this group with 13.4 PPG which featured a 31-point outing in a win over Centennial. He is hard nosed undersized big. Leigh is a 2022 6-0 point guard who can shoot well and dish it out in creative ways. Lastly, there is Johnson, a 2021 6-3 guard/forward who simply uses his speed and toughness at the point of attack. Other names to know: 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065497" first="Braydin" last="Samuels"] (Martin County), 2021 F Nathan Mikkelson (Martin County), 2021 F Nick Peart (Olympic Heights), 2021 F Gio Vilbrun (Olympic Heights), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068629" first="Tylar" last="Cerez"] (Seminole Ridge), 2021 G Nick Wille (South Fork), 2021 F Tydarius Simpson (South Fork) Region 4 - District 14 [player_tooltip player_id="955771" first="Andrew" last="Akuchie"] (St. Thomas Aquinas) Akuchie is a 2022 6-8 big man who has improved a ton over the last year in his progression. A serious kid in the classroom, he's drawing interested from various Division I programs including Yale. He can handle the rock, stretch the floor and shoot it from anywhere on the floor. He's next in line down south at St. Thomas Aquinas. [player_tooltip player_id="955773" first="Derrick" last="Lovett"] (Blanche Ely) Blanche Ely will be a much different looking team this year but one name that is familiar is Lovett. The 2022 6-5 forward showed a lot of promise as a sophomore and expect him to continue to get better this fall. He's a determined ballhandler and a gifted and long athlete who attacks smoothly. [player_tooltip player_id="953071" first="Jordan" last="Johnson"] (Ft. Lauderdale) A very talented outside shooter, Johnson is going to have every opportunity to run the show for Ft. Lauderdale. The 2021 6-3 guard is a very mature ballhandler and can get going in a hurry as a high-volume scorer. Other names to know: 2022 G Jaylen Black (Blanche Ely), 2021 G Dimitri Bernot (Dillard), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818893" first="Kyle" last="Brown"] (Dillard), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953071" first="Jordan" last="Johnson"] (Ft. Lauderdale), 2021 F Sebastian Gall (South Plantation), [player_tooltip player_id="1068720" first="Zachary" last="Zibelli"] (St. Thomas Aquinas), Matthew Cadogan (St. Thomas Aquinas) and 2021 G Jontae McClain (Ft. Lauderdale). Region 4 - District 15 Tyshuan Daniels & [player_tooltip player_id="1065436" first="Hasmar" last="Francois"] (McArthur) McArthur has a very nice 2021 pair in Daniels and Francois. Daniels is a true x-factor at his 6-7 frame and he makes defenses pay as a inside finisher and key rebounder/shot blocker. He will have a very crafty point guard joining him in the back court via transfer from Flanagan. Francois, a 6-1 guard is a blazer and a true distributor and bucket getter. [player_tooltip player_id="953492" first="Ronaldo" last="Vescine"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1068701" first="Johnsky" last="Saintsurin"] (North Miami) Another year and another good cast is in place for an always stout North Miami group. Vescine, a 2021 5-11 guard will run the show after averaging just shy of 11.0 PPG a season ago. He makes plays and is a consistent threat to score. Saintsurin, a 2021 6-4 guard/forward has the versatility that any team would love. He thrives driving inside and drawing contact. Other names to know: 2022 G Issac Harney (Goleman), 2021 F Maximos Moratinos (American), 2022 G Leo Suarez (Goleman), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953014" first="Gary" last="Adams"] (Hollywood Hills), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953011" first="Josiah" last="Garcia"] (Hollywood Hills), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818952" first="Kaleb" last="Saintil"] (Hollywood Hills), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068623" first="Isaiah" last="Gissendanner"] (McArthur), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818910" first="Chamon" last="Metayer"] (North Miami), 2021 F Joel Mora (North Miami) and 2021 G Wade Edema (South Broward) Region 4 - District 16 [player_tooltip player_id="818731" first="Kameron" last="Johnson"] & [player_tooltip player_id="955591" first="Justin" last="Johnson"] (Doral) Doral will be working the lengthy Johnson brothers inside and out on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="818731" first="Kameron" last="Johnson"], a 6-6 forward is a stout defender and has good feet to work down low offensively. [player_tooltip player_id="955591" first="Justin" last="Johnson"], a 6-7 forward has an extra speed to his game and his offensive prowess is nothing to ignore on top of his shot blocking ability on defense. The Johnson brothers are going to have big seasons ahead. [player_tooltip player_id="953073" first="Christian" last="Pujals"] & [player_tooltip player_id="962427" first="Koree" last="Cotton"] (South Miami) There is never a doubt that South Miami will be well coached and ready to win any game. Pujals, a 2021 6-3 guard made a major jump last season averaging 11.2 PPG. His shooting ability will be looked upon plenty this season. Cotton has the looks of a breakout prospect at his 6-4 frame. The 2023 guard is strong as can be and should turn heads in South Florida as a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id="814912" first="Jimel" last="Lane"] (Mater) Transferring in from Coral Gables, Lane will be the feature piece at Mater. The 2022 6-6 forward is a lengthy athlete who is just hitting the peak. He is a high-volume scorer and a smooth attacker. Other names to know: 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962560" first="Gabriel" last="Hernande"]z (Doral), 2021 F Jacop Echavarria (Hialeah), 2021 G Jaylon Tolbert (Hialeah), 2021 G Javis Darby (Homestead), 2022 G Jerick Mejia (Mater), 2021 G Ryan Sanchez (Mater), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="709221" first="Michael" last="Bradley"] (Mater), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953103" first="Tyric" last="Francois"] (Homestead), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953104" first="Omarion" last="Wilson"] (Homestead), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962859" first="Josh" last="Middlebrooks"] (South Miami), 2021 F Floyd Ridgeway (Southridge) and 2021 G Jaylon Tolbert (Southridge).