Scouting Notebook: Orlando Area

<p>Over the past week, I was able to attend two high level high school games. On Monday, I made the short drive to Windermere Prep to watch the home team play Bishop McLaughlin from the Tampa area and Thursday I attended Oak Ridge to watch them take on defending Class 6 A state champion Bartow.</p> <p><strong><em>Final scores </em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Windermere Prep 72</p> <p>Bishop McLaughlin 64</p> <p>Oak Ridge 65</p> <p>Bartow 58</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Standouts </em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Windermere Prep</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="956830" first="Jayden" last="Williams"] 6-5 (2022)</strong></p> <p>Size/athleticism on perimeter check. Plays defense check. Shoots the 3-ball check. The long wing is known for his catch and shoot ability, but against Bishop McLaughlin the he was able to manufacture 20 points in different ways. He caught two alley-oop passes off inbound plays, got a steal leading to a two handed jam, scored off cuts, and on two plays used quick change of direction dribbles to shake the defender and get to the basket. Showing the ability to score off the dribble that’s another check. A bright future is ahead for the wing as he is having a major break out year. Through the first 13 games of the season Williams is averaging just under 16 PPG.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id="818704" first="Elijah" last="Hulsewe"] 6-11 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>Hulsewe dominated the glass in this one. Finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds the big man impressed with his ability to seal and finish with either hand, and scored on a few left handed hook shots. On perhaps the play of the game, Hulsewe put a defender in a poster on a dump down pass finishing while being fouled. He was also active especially on the offensive glass battling for rebounds and put backs.</p> <p><strong>Bishop </strong><strong>McLaughlin </strong></p> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="546182" first="Emanuel" last="Sharp"] 6-4 (2022)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>While he wasn’t shooting as well as normal from beyond the 3 point arc, Sharp lived at the free throw line. The guard used his wide array of moves attacking the basket to either score or get fouled. Finishing with a game high 28 points, Sharp also showed his capability as a passer dishing out five assists.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1065446" first="Joshua" last="Watkins"] 6-6 (2022)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>After a strong showing at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, Watkins continued to show promise as a prospect against Windermere prep. For starters the wing has great size standing at 6-6 with a long wing span. He also has some quickness and athleticism which helps him defensively, and in the open court. What Watkins does best is catch and shoot the ball from beyond the 3-point line and he made four for the Hurricanes on Monday night accounting for all 12 of his points.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>Oak Ridge</strong></p> <p><strong>G/F Mike James 6-6 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>James play was simply at another level on Thursday. While he still was able to score points over powering people underneath, and on dribble drives, what impressed me the most was how well he shot the ball. Shooting off the catch, and off the dribble, James sank four 3-pointers at a high percentage. He also made a few nice moves getting into open space for mid range shots. At the high school level, James is going to be able to use his size and athleticism to dominate most games, the fact that he has shown a lot more finesse this year will absolutely help him adjust at the next level. The future Louisville Cardinal scored a game high 30 points.</p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="548985" first="Jalen" last="Smith"] 6-4 (2021)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>The future SMU Mustang started off the game shooting the ball at a high clip. By halftime he had 13 points which combined with Mike James accounted for 30 total in the first half. The senior leader also got a few steals, and made some nice drives attacking the basket. Finishing the game with 16 points James and Smith combined for over 70 percent of Oak Ridge’s scoring.</p> <p><strong>Bartow </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id="962495" first="Kjei" last="Parker"] 6-1 (2023)</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>After my fourth time viewing Parker I am convinced that he is the next big thing coming out of Polk County. The sophomore has a strong body that helps him absorb contact as a finisher around the basket, and battle on the boards. Finishing with a team high 15 points Parker made a 3-pointer, had two put backs, made some nice drives to the hoop, and hit a mid-range jumper from the elbow. When [player_tooltip player_id="818651" first="Walter" last="Clayton"] and Bartow’s strong senior class graduate expect some major numbers out of the 2023 prospect next season.</p> <p>….<strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id="818855" first="Daithan" last="Davis"] 6-5 (2021) </strong>Davis has made a huge jump in production since last season. With [player_tooltip player_id="828035" first="Joshua" last="Simons"] graduating last year he has stepped up as Bartow’s leading rebounder and scorer in the post. On Thursday, Davis scored 12 points showing off some nice footwork and battled on the glass to grab 14 rebounds.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p>