Clash at the Cross (Part 2)

<p>The grind never stops, and neither does my enjoyment of watching high level high school basketball. This past Monday and Tuesday, I made the trip over to Central Florida Christian Academy to watch some of the top high school basketball teams in the state. Across two action packed days of basketball these are just a few of the players who got my attention:</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Windermere </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="709255" first="Sean" last="Stewart"] 6-8 (2023)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Another tournament, another strong showing out of the sophomore forward. Through two games Stewart averaged 17 points and was in double digits rebounding the ball. Against West Nassau, he scored in transition, off of post moves, and on one play he sealed his man took one step and crushed a two-handed dunk. The forward also had one nice play catching the ball on the elbow, ripping through and attacking the basket finishing the right handed lay in. Kansas, Florida, Maryland, Georgetown, and Arizona State are just a few of the schools who have offered Stewart.</p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="714790" first="Kanye" last="Jones"] 6-3 (2021) College of Charleston Commit</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Windermere’s leading scorer in both games at the tournament, Jones was on fire verses Florida Christian. The guard was drilling 3-pointers left and right all through the game off of the catch and also hit one off the dribble to finish with five three point makes on his way to a game tournament high 33 points. In his second game against West Nassau, he was clearly a marked man so he was more aggressive attacking the basket, and found his way to the free throw line finishing with 19 points.</p> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="818648" first="Trey" last="Moss"] 6-3 (2021) South Florida Commit</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Moss just keeps getting better and better. The guard does a great job of getting into the lane jump stopping and using his pivot to find cutting teammates or kick it out to three point shooters. While his jump shot has a little bit of a hitch in it, that didn’t hold him back from sinking four 3-pointers against Florida Christian both off the dribble and catch. He also was able to get on the offensive glass often, on two plays he snatched his teammates missed free throw attempt and put it back up for the score. … <strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="812622" first="Jalen" last="Debose"] (2023) </strong>also had his moments sinking a pair of 3 pointers in each game averaging 12 points in the tournament.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Oak Ridge </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>G/F Mike James 6-6 (2021) Louisville Commit</strong></p> <p>In Oak Ridge’s victory over West Nassau, James was able to make life difficult for [player_tooltip player_id="527374" first="Deebo" last="Coleman"] defensively. Known as a player who bullies his way to the basket on drives or over powering defenders in the post, this game he was shooting the ball consistently from 3-point range. While he still did his fair share of driving and scoring in close, James knocked down three 3-pointers both off the catch and off the dribble and also hit a mid-range dribble pull up. The future Cardinal finished the game with 26 points.</p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="548985" first="Jalen" last="Smith"] 6-4 (2021) SMU Commit</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Known as a knock down 3-point shooter Smith was getting to the basket often. While the lengthy guard knocked down five 3–pointers, he also found success using his athleticism to attack the basket, and score the ball in transition. The future Mustang finished the game with 23 points.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Florida Christian</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>G [player_tooltip player_id="953479" first="Joey" last="Brown"] 6-4 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>With a college ready body I was shocked to find out Brown did not play football. Against Windermere he was doing everything he could to help keep his team stay within striking distance. The guard locked down defensively, rebounded the ball, scored on drives often finishing through contact, and was a coach on the floor all night long for his teammates. In the fourth quarter Brown started to get hot knocking down three of his four 3-pointers scoring 13 of his team-high 23 points. The seniors recruitment is just in the beginning phases but if he keeps playing like he did Monday night things will without a doubt pick up.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Viera </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>G/F Mayaka Luma 6-3 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Viera lost by 20 to a very solid Sagemont team however the efforts of Luma should not go unnoticed. The wing plays hard from start to finish and gets things done on the court. On Monday he was the leading scorer for the Hawks scoring an efficient 18 points. The wing hit a corner 3-pointer, a floater, attacked the basket taking baseline and also got out in transition throwing down a big two handed dunk. Division III LeGrange College (Georgia) recently offered Luma the opportunity to continue his basketball career.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Evans </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="955607" first="Jyshaun" last="Melvin"] 5-9 (2022)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="955607" first="Jyshaun" last="Melvin"] is a name to know. After a solid year as sophomore starter, the point guard has burst onto the scene as a junior solidifying himself as one of the top playmakers in Orlando. Of the last four games I’ve seen Evans play, he has been the most consistent scorer, defender and playmaker for the Trojans. On Monday against Wildwood the floor general went for 22 points and six assists many of those statistics coming on highlight plays. Melvin can throw laser beam passes with either hand threading the needle for assists and seems to see things happen before they happen. Shooting the ball he knocked down 3-pointers off the dribble and catch, drove to the basket finishing with either hand, and also connected on a floater. ……………..<strong>6-4 F [player_tooltip player_id="1065478" first="Henry" last="Calixte"] (2022) </strong>also was impressive for the Trojans. The forward uses his defensive end like frame to battle in the post and finish through contact, and he is deceptively quick for his size. The junior finished the game with 14 points and 13 rebounds and is one of the prime reasons Evans will be a force these next two years.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wildwood </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>F Joseph Poyser 6-5 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>One of the more under the radar prospects hiding in Lake County is Joseph Poyser. The long athletic forward also plays wide receiver as a standout on the gridiron but his athleticism and toughness were on full display against Evans on the hardwood Monday afternoon. On perhaps the highlight of the game the senior cut down the center of the lane, caught a pass and finished a big two-handed dunk. While Poyser typically uses his length and athleticism in the post and slashing to the basket, he also found success shooting the ball hitting a step back 3-pointer and a midrange shot from the elbow………<strong>5-8 PG [player_tooltip player_id="1068735" first="Nate" last="Rembert"] (2021) </strong>also had his moments shooting the ball from deep, and pushing the pace on offense. The lead guard finished the game with 15 points.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Orlando Christian Prep</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG A.J. Brown 6-4 (2022)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>There’s a lot to like about Brown as a prospect. The Junior has the size/length and athleticism of a prototypical college player. His game has also been evolving as he taken on the role of the number one scoring option for the defending 2A state champion Warriors. The Guard was clicking in the second half against Florida Christian scoring 16 of his game high 24 points . While he is a respectable 3-point shooter, he is at his best when he aggressively attacks the basket, and gets to the foul line.</p> <p><strong>F Ven Allen-Lubin 6-7 (2022)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Lubin had the play of the game against Florida Christian catching an alley oop pass off an inbounds play finishing a cringe worthy two handed dunk. The forward was also active on the glass grabbing several rebounds both on offensive and defensive, and showed the ability to handle the ball a little. On the game Lubin finished with 13 points and had to be in double digit rebound territory. Recruiting wise the junior is one of the most coveted players in Orlando having already received offers from Florida, Alabama, Iowa State, St. John’s, South Florida, Stetson and Georgia State. ……..<strong>6-7 G/F [player_tooltip player_id="818729" first="Ocypher" last="Owens"] (2021) </strong>was also impressive finishing with 12 points. The wing has great size and length out on the perimeter with the ability to knock down the 3 off the catch, and has the fluidity to play on the perimeter.</p>