2021 Ranking Risers: South Florida (Mid-Season)

Photo: Prep Hoops

Michael Costeines

January 11, 2021 @ 03:32 PM

In the basketball world, rankings are always very fluid and up for debate. Prospects are going to progress or regress over a certain amount of time. I try to emphasize to players that this is just a number next to your name. Use it as motivation, but don’t get caught up into it too much. A college recruiter watching you at a showcase is not going to care about your ranking. If they like you, they like you. A program will offer you a scholarship whether you are ranked #1 or #300 if they believe you can contribute as a student-athlete. It only takes one school to take a chance on you. With that being said, I would like to highlight a group of prospects in the senior class playing above where they currently stand. My opinion comes from games I have witnessed and information I have obtained as we reach the mid-point of the season. [player_tooltip player_id="1068706" first="Maximo" last="Moratinos"] - Mater Lakes (PH: 342) Every time I see Moratinos play, I feel like he represents a match-up problem. The 6-foot-6 small forward has a long stride and quickness to him of a guard. If you get him around the low block, Moratinos can power his way above the rim with his size. The overall length he has allows him to defend multiple positions and be a rim protector. Moratinos is finally in a system at Mater Lakes that knows how to use his talent. I think the ranking he has undervalues his versatility, especially at this spot. [player_tooltip player_id="818796" first="James" last="Nichols III"] - Westminster Academy (PH 236) Westminster Academy has a ton of talent on its roster, with one name being [player_tooltip player_id="818796" first="James" last="Nichols III"]. The 6-foot-4 power forward joined the Lions after playing at Highlands Christian. With the Knights, he averaged 22.5 points per game as a junior. Nichols III runs the floor well in transition, a deadly dose for opponents when you account his size. Moreover, Nichols has the power to be a force in the paint alongside 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="814903" first="Ben" last="Middlebrooks"]. With stacked talent that includes 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="546221" first="Aidan" last="Abell"], statistics might not reflect how good of a player Nichols III is. [player_tooltip player_id="818660" first="Jonathan" last="Renois"] - Somerset Academy (Pines) (PH 79) The Panthers have a standout player in [player_tooltip player_id="818660" first="Jonathan" last="Renois"]. The 6-foot combo guard can attack the rim, hit from mid-range, or connect from behind the arc with high efficiency. Unlike some players, Renois gets his points without being labeled as a high-volume shooter. I have seen him single-handedly bring his team back into games thanks to his offensive outbursts. Renois is a sleeper prospect in South Florida. [player_tooltip player_id="953685" first="Kenny" last="Turner"] - St. Andrew’s (PH 102) The Scots are another team loaded with talent, led by 2021 Memphis commit [player_tooltip player_id="818738" first="Josh" last="Minott"]. Moreover, I have said in the past to lookout for [player_tooltip player_id="953685" first="Kenny" last="Turner"]. The 6-foot-6 power forward has all the attributes a team at the next level would like. One look at Turner and you will see what I mean. The Scots senior looks like he works in the weight room, especially next to some of his opponents. Turner can also run the floor well and finish in transition. His athleticism is not to be underestimated. [player_tooltip player_id="818869" first="Christopher" last="George"] - Royal Palm Beach (PH 478) I think there is a ton of value when it comes to [player_tooltip player_id="818869" first="Christopher" last="George"]. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 13.7 points and 12.5 rebounds per game so far for the Wildcats. Moreover, he has shown a steady ability to hit from outside. Against a strong Forest Hill team, George scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds on 7-of-12 from the field. [player_tooltip player_id="818866" first="Desmond" last="Romer"] - Coral Gables (PH 474) Romer is a playmaking combo guard that has good upside here. The 6-foot-1 Cavalier is capable of producing a 20-point, ten assist stat-line on any given night. Moreover, Romer is a smart defender with active hands. He is a big reason why the Cavaliers are 6-3 overall and one of the better teams in Miami-Dade County. [player_tooltip player_id="1068630" first="Dave" last="Dalge"] - Boyd Anderson (PH 457) Boyd Anderson is off to a tremendous start behind the play of Dalge. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging a team-best 12.9 points per game for the 8-1 Cobras. Moreover, Boyd Anderson has quality wins over Stranahan and Miramar. Dalge can also contribute on the glass, grabbing five or more rebounds in eight games thus far. Look for him to continue to lead the Cobras to more victories in the future. For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or Follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.