On the Trail Scouting Notebook

<p>This past week, I was able to catch a few games on NFHS.com and also made the trip out to Lakeland to catch a game. These are some of the notes I took:</p> <p><strong><em>Bartow 60, Santa Fe Catholic 58 (OT)</em></strong></p> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="818684" first="Alvin" last="Tumblin"] 6-6 Santa Fe Catholic 2021</strong></p> <p>With Santa Fe Catholic down 10 points at half time, I had a bad feeling this one was going to turn into a blowout. After scoring 13 points in the first half, Tumblin showed that he had another gear putting in nine points in the third quarter alone. After seeing him play last spring and summer, I was aware that he was a top player in Central Florida, however I had no idea just how good he was until this Thursday night. Playing against last years 6A State Champions, Tumblin was a problem all night long on both sides of the ball finishing with 35 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks. The combo forward showed off the ability to handle the ball on several drives and even hit a step back 3-point shot while being fouled. On what I thought was the highlight of the night, the senior drove the lane dribbling the ball behind his back then exploding to the rim to crush a two-handed dunk on a defender. Recruiting wise, Tumblin’s process started out slow but has started to pick up as of late picking up offers from FAU, Stetson, East Tennessee State, and NJIT with plenty of others showing interest. ……..<strong>6-1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="829403" first="Trey" last="Lane"] (2022) </strong>was in foul trouble most of the night but showed off the ability to handle the basketball under pressure, and helped spark the third quarter run that got Santa Fe back in the game. The lead guard finished the night with nine points, six of which came on two 3-pointers during the third quarter run.</p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="962495" first="Kjei" last="Parker"] 6-1 Bartow 2023</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Parker started the game off a bit slow in the first half but made several key shots that helped elevate Bartow to a victory. The strong bodied guard played tough defense all night long but found his offense when his team needed it the most in the second half scoring 13 of his team-high 15 points. Just a sophomore, Parker looks bound to be next in line when Bartow’s strong senior class graduates………………….<strong>5-10 PG [player_tooltip player_id="818699" first="Malcolm" last="Dewberry"] (2021) </strong>hit the game-winning mid range pull-up jumper in over time for the Yellow Jackets. The senior had 13 points and four assists on the night…….<strong>6-5 PF [player_tooltip player_id="818855" first="Daithan" last="Davis"] (2021) </strong>was also an integral part of the team’s win scoring 13 points and dominating the boards grabbing 14 rebounds. On a few plays he displayed some great footwork in the post.</p> <p><strong><em>Orlando Christian Prep 68, Bishop Snyder 66</em></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"] 6-4 Orlando Christian Prep 2022</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>When the competition is the toughest, [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"] performs. A well coached team with several college level players, Bishop Snyder made the trip to Orlando and gave OCP everything they could handle. The junior guard made the difference as every time Bishop Snyder came knocking on the door, Brown had an answer either finding his way to the free throw line, or scoring a basket of his own. The lengthy athlete finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists with at least two of those assists coming in highlight plays where he connected with big men for alley oops. Recruiting wise Brown holds offers from South Florida, Alabama, Stetson, FGCU, Hofstra and I would be surprised if he doesn’t receive more Power 5 attention before his senior year.</p> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id="818714" first="Joshua" last="Blazquez"] 5-10 Orlando Christian Prep 2021</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Blazquez has transitioned well to his new teammates after transferring over from Osceola. The lightning quick pass -first point guard pairs well with the OCP big men as he has great vision and the ability to send laser passes with either hand. Against Bishop Snyder he scored 11 points grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists. The senior currently has an offer from Division II Converse College and is hearing from several other schools at that level.</p> <p><strong>CG [player_tooltip player_id="818667" first="Justin" last="Hicks"] 6-3 Bishop Snyder 2021</strong></p> <p>Last summer, I was able to get a look at Hicks on multiple occasions and each time he showed me a little more. After watching the game against OCP, I came away extremely impressed with his ability to score the ball against such a high level of competition. On his way to a team high 18 points the senior knocked down multiple 3-pointers off the catch and shoot, scored on drives to the basket, and banked in a mid ranged jumper. A bit under the radar, Hicks holds an offer from NAIA Edward Waters…………<strong>6-3 PG [player_tooltip player_id="546242" first="Jalen" last="Gilmore"] (2022) </strong>also made a major impact on the game scoring 18 points grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists.</p> <p><strong><em>Boone 65 Timber Creek 55</em></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="953090" first="Will" last="Searl"] 6-3 Boone 2021</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Searl’s strong play this summer for the Q6 All Stars has carried over into his senior season. At 6-3 with a strong body, the guard loves to post up defenders in the midrange and either hit a fade away or uses his advanced foot work to score. A true three level scorer, Searl dropped 18 points including sinking multiple 3-pointers at an efficient rate. Division II Converse College and Division III Berry (GA) represent his two offers……………<strong>6-6 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1065413" first="Joey" last="Depryor"] (2022) </strong>scored 11 points and patrolled the paint as a rim protector and rebounder. The big man certainly has the potential to play at the next level and will likely be the go to guy when Boone’s strong senior class graduates.</p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1068740" first="Denzel" last="Luna"] 6-2 Timber Creek 2021</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>30 years from now [player_tooltip player_id="1068740" first="Denzel" last="Luna"] is going to walk into a YMCA and show the young kids a thing or two on the basketball court. The guard has a silky smooth jump shot, a high basketball IQ, and uses his strong body to absorb contact and finish around the rim on drives. Against Boone Luna put in 19 points shooting 6 of 8 from deep to go along with five rebounds and four assists. The senior guard holds offers from Southwestern (NAIA) ,University of St Mary (NAIA), and Marietta College (NAIA)….<strong>6-0 [player_tooltip player_id="953439" first="Brendan" last="Grady"] (2021) </strong>also had a strong showing with 10 points and 3 assists.</p> <p><strong><em>Windermere Prep 63 Lake Highland 53</em></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id="818704" first="Elijah" last="Hulsewe"] 6-11 Windermere Prep 2021</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>The near 7-footer started off slow in the first half but stepped up when his team needed him the most scoring all 10 of his points in the second half. Hulsewe has a nice touch around the rim and showed that he can finish with either hand as he scored on a left-handed hook shot. The big man also had a game-high 15 rebounds with 11 of those coming in the second half.</p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="956830" first="Jayden" last="Williams"] 6-5 Windermere Prep 2022, G [player_tooltip player_id="818781" first="Zavien" last="Williams"] 6-0 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>While Hulsewe carried the Lakers in the second half, a majority of the work load was conducted by the Williams brothers in the first half. [player_tooltip player_id="956830" first="Jayden" last="Williams"] holds ideal size on the perimeter standing at 6-5 with long arms and can really shoot the ball from deep. His length and athleticism also give him potential to be a solid 3 and D player at the next level. The junior finished with 21 points connecting on multiple 3-point attempts. The older Williams (Zavien) is the ultimate hustle player, he has great quickness and anticipates well defensively getting into passing lanes leading to transition points. The senior also hit a few shots from the elbow and also attacked the basket for a few buckets finishing with 19 points. Next season the guard will take his talents to Rhodes College a prestigious Division III school in Memphis, Tennessee.</p>