Prep Hoops Next Circuit Returns To The Southeast
Winter Haven, Fla. — Among all of the aliases, nicknames, and slogans that Florida and its cities are known by, “The Chain of Lakes City” might be the most unique. Not quite Tampa, but not quite Orlando either, the AdventHealth Fieldhouse and Conference Center sits somewhere between Legoland and Bok Tower Gardens.
As isolated as that may sound, the multi-court facility will play host this weekend to the fifth overall stop on the Prep Hoops Next circuit, known as “Rumble Under The Palms”, and is sure to capture the attention of the national youth hoops scene.
In its return to the Southeast region, the latest event on the circuit series will feature thirty-eight teams, and once again welcome nearly 400 players to compete on a platform sure to provide unparalleled coverage and exposure to the participating teams and athletes. Here are a handful of storylines to follow as the tournament gets underway…
Familiar Faces Appear Ready To Rumble
In the sixth-grade division (Class of 2027), E1T1 (FL) leads a trio of teams from the Sunshine State set to return to the Prep Hoops Next circuit. While the Southeast Kick-off provided a preview of Florida Phantom (FL) and Miami Top Risers (FL) in the form of a hybrid roster, the two organizations may now potentially square off in the Rumble Under The Palms final, should they win their respective pools. There’s less familiarity in the seventh-grade division (Class of 2026) as Team USC Metro (SC) and Carolina Stars Basketball (NC) are the lone returnees since our last visit to the Southeast region. The eighth-grade division (Class of 2025) will be compromised almost exclusively of surprises as the group features a dozen clubs making their Prep Hoops Next circuit debut this weekend.
Dandy Dozen Debut In Eighth-Grade Division
Amazingly, the Class of 2025 division at the Rumble Under The Palms will feature a grouping of clubs making their collective Prep Hoops Next circuit debuts. The result is that no repeat champion can emerge, and therefore, each of our initial five events will all have different winners. This only adds to excitement to the respective Prep Hoops Next region final events, which will unite all of the winning teams, and provide a platform for them to compete under one roof. Chasing the crown this weekend are CPCA (FL), CSU Kings (FL), Florida Suns (FL), Florida Vipers (FL), G-Force Ryders (FL), Heart N’ Hustle (FL), North Florida Hurricanes (FL), Penny Ball Academy (FL), Powerhouse Bulls (FL), Southeast Elite 3SSB (FL), Team USC Premiere (SC), and Tri-City Elite (GA).
First Impressions Aplenty Under The Palms
A number of programs will get their first glance at the Prep Hoops Next circuit this weekend and vice versa. Central Florida Rising Stars, Florida Vipers, Saint Cloud Rampage, SPSA Runs, Triple Double Tarheels, and Wave Basketball are among the teams in the sixth-grade division (Class of 2027) that will be vying for in-state bragging rights while CLT1 (NC) is hoping to play the role of spoiler. In the seventh-grade division (Class of 2026), Carolina Underdogs (SC) and Minnesota Splash (MN) are among the out-of-state programs with high expectations for their first appearances.
Searching For The State’s Next Stars
Florida has largely put to rest the notion that it is “only a football state” when it comes to its amateur athletes. The youth hoops talent produced within Florida during the last several years has been nothing short of amazing, yet shockingly, the state was without a homegrown recipient for the first time since 2012 when the McDonald’s All-American Games announced their final boys and girls rosters earlier this week. If the potential five-star talent on the horizon is any indication, that near decade-long streak of “blue-chippers” will likely restart as early as next year, and could continue another decade-long run. We’ll look forward to introducing many of these names in our post-event coverage from the Rumble Under The Palms.
Identifying Southeast Region Standouts
While there will be a heavy dose of Florida flavor at the Rumble Under The Palms, the event will also provide a great look at several non-Florida residents that will soon be relevant names on the regional recruiting radar. I’ve been on the trail of 2025 6’9” F/C J.D. Palm (AL) for more than a year now but I’m happy to say that he won’t evade me any longer. The Alabama product leads a long line-up of prospects on my “must-see” list this weekend.
Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!