Wally Keller Classic Notebook: Day 2
In this article:
This past Saturday, I made the two and a half our drive to Charlotte High School to take in my first Wally Keller Classic. There were many solid matchups with a lot of talent on hand. These are some of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis past Saturday, I made the two and a half our drive to Charlotte High School to take in my first Wally Keller Classic. There were many solid matchups with a lot of talent on hand. These are some of the players who stood out in the games that I caught:
Isaac Celiscar Isaac Celiscar 6'6" | SG Winter Haven | 2024 State #263 Nation FL & Rolijah Hardy Rolijah Hardy 6'0" | CG Lakeland | 2023 FL (Winter Haven)
Talent is certainly in not an issue for a young Winter Haven team. The Blue Devils are loaded with underclassmen that play significant minutes and when they are clicking they can be very dangerous. While Winter Haven ended up losing a hard-fought game to a senior laden perennial power Naples team by seven, this game felt much closer than the score indicated. Leading the way for the Blue Devils was 6-5 freshman Isaac Celiscar Isaac Celiscar 6'6" | SG Winter Haven | 2024 State #263 Nation FL . The forward comes from an athletic bloodline as his brother played a major role for last years team and now plays football at Central Florida. On Saturday, Celiscar was a rebounding machine pulling down 12 to go along with 12 points. The freshman standout did a majority of his work getting offensive rebounds for put backs and scoring in transition, but he has a very soft tough on his shot and should be a star in Polk County for the next few years to come.
Another player who caught my eye was 6-0 PG Rolijah Hardy Rolijah Hardy 6'0" | CG Lakeland | 2023 FL . The sophomore is built like a running back and is hard to stop when he gets down hill and attacks the basket. The guard also showed off a solid mid-range game hitting on a pair of stop and pop dribble pull-ups from the mid-range. On a couple of occasions, the lead guard drove the lane and when the defense collapsed he dished it off to his teammates on the block for an easy score. On the game, Hardy went for 10 points and six rebounds making several key plays to keep the game within reach.
……..Winter Haven also received strong contributions from 6-5 wing Tyler Williams Tyler Williams 5'11" | CG Cape Coral | 2022 State FL who with great length and athleticism is able to defend multiple positions on the floor. The Young wing finished the game with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
…… 6-2 senior guard Vintrell Moore Vintrell Moore 6'1" | CG Winter Haven | 2021 State FL also made a major impact scoring 14 points. The shifty guard can finish with either hand at the rim and can and finds his way to the free throw line often.
Alvin Tumblin Alvin Tumblin 6'6" | SF Santa Fe Catholic | 2021 State FL (Santa Fe)
For the third time this season, I was able to get a look at Alvin Tumblin Alvin Tumblin 6'6" | SF Santa Fe Catholic | 2021 State FL . And for the third time this season, I saw Alvin Tumblin Alvin Tumblin 6'6" | SF Santa Fe Catholic | 2021 State FL try to rip the rim down every time dunked the ball, which was quite often. Against Lehigh, the forward accounted for over half of the Hawks scoring with 33 out of their 63 total points. While over half of these points came from rim crunching dunks, Tumblin also knocked down a 3-pointer off the catch, and a mid-range jumper from the elbow. He also led Santa Fe in the rebounding department with 10 on the night. Recruiting wise Tumblin has been on the rise as of late after recently picking up an offer from James Madison to add to his list that already included Stetson, FAU, East Tennessee State, and NJIT.
……Teammate 6-1 PG Trey Lane Trey Lane 6'1" | CG Santa Fe Catholic | 2022 State FL (2022) finished the game 18 points and five assists. The junior has shown that he can create for others as well as shoot the ball from deep, and has been more of a true point guard this season which will help him at the next level.
Alan Cedeno Alan Cedeno 5'10" | CG Fort Myers Canterbury | 2021 State FL (Canterbury)
On Saturday, Cedeno showed why he is so highly regarded in Southwest Florida. The 6-0 senior went for a game high 32 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists against Calvary Christian (Clearwater). He was able to get to the basket frequently, and also connected on four 3-pointers, and got to the free throw line often. The floor leader makes excellent reads, and is more than capable of creating offense for others. A high academic student holding a 4.5 GPA, Cedeno would be an excellent addition to a college program.
….Teammate 6-4 Landon Howard Landon Howard 6'3" | CG Canterbury | 2021 State FL (2021) finished the game with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists. With a long wingspan, quick reflexes and feet, Howard can cover a lot of ground defensively and he has the athleticism to create his own shot on offense. A true 3-D player, Howard is also worthy of more attention recruiting wise.
Walter Clayton Walter Clayton 6'3" | PG Bartow | 2021 State #218 Nation FL & Daithan Davis Daithan Davis 6'5" | PF Bartow | 2021 State FL (Bartow)
Walter Clayton Walter Clayton 6'3" | PG Bartow | 2021 State #218 Nation FL showed why he is considered one top point guards in the state on Saturday leading his team to an 89-66 victory over a talented Sarasota Riverview team. The Iona commit was driving to the basket in this game often, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and seven assists. On defense, he anticipates well, and he’s always looking to advance the ball up the floor and get his team out on the break. Clayton is signed to play next season at Iona and his game will translate well to the northeast style of play.
6-5 PF Daithan Davis Daithan Davis 6'5" | PF Bartow | 2021 State FL (2021) has to be the most improved player in Polk County. He has easily doubled his production since his junior campaign and that has been beneficial for Bartow. Against Riverview, Davis battled with a long athletic front line putting up 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The forward showed off some great body control on the fast break, and has a solid all around post game.
…..5-11 PG Malcom Dewberry (2021) also had a strong performance finishing the game with 16 points sinking four 3-pointers and handed out six assists for Bartow.
Jayven Millien Jayven Millien 6'7" | PF Sarasota Riverview | 2021 State FL & David Mazon David Mazon 6'5" | CG Sarasota Riverview | 2021 State FL (Riverview)
Millien had some moments in the loss to Bartow. The long 6-7 wing is an incredible run jump athlete and he showcased that on Saturday by putting a defender in a poster. He also knocked down a 3-pointer and scored on drives on a few occasions to finish with 11 total points. Recruiting wise the wing just recently picked up a Division I offer from Southern.
David Mazon David Mazon 6'5" | CG Sarasota Riverview | 2021 State FL had a great first half sinking three 3-pointers and scoring all 12 of his points. The physical big man battled on the boards all game long and showed promise to be a stretch four at the next level. The 6-5 senior is hearing from some high academic Division III schools.
…..6-4 SG Curtis Butler (2021) finished with 15 points showing off some deep range sinking a pair of 3-pointers in the first half.