Scouting Roundup: District Playoffs (South Florida – Pt. 2)

<p>Playoff week is here in South Florida!</p> <p>I am excited to be attending so many games in the area. I want to remind anyone reading this that some states are not rewarding state championships at all!</p> <p>My home state of Connecticut is having an abbreviated 12 game season and league tournaments. The equivalent to our Lakeland is not happening for them. </p> <p>Take advantage of every minute on the floor.  This is part two of my analysis.</p> <p><strong>James Nichols</strong> - <em>Westminster Academy</em></p> <p>2021 James Nichols arguably played his best game of the season last night against <strong>Sagemont</strong>. The 6-foot-5 guard scored a game-high 20 points while consistently getting to the rim. Nichols is a big guard that can sky up above the basket when he is in the paint. He was a huge spark during the Lions run in the third quarter that opened up a nine-point advantage with 3:16 to go.  Nichol's size and athleticism gives him a huge advantage in the key. He is a picking a good time to be playing quality basketball for the Lions.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818705" first="Taderrius" last="Davis"]</strong> - <em>Miami High</em></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="818705" first="Taderrius" last="Davis"] did what he has done all season for the Stingarees. The 6-foot-7 wing had 25 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and two steals on 8-of-14 from the field against <strong>Miami Beach</strong>. Davis followed that up with 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks on 9-of-14 from the field against <strong>Coral Gables</strong>. Those numbers are what I like to call the <em>T.D. line</em>. The versatile senior has been recording those stats and making plays for the Stingarees all season. He is going to make every one of his teammates better with his skill. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814984" first="Rickey" last="Ballard"]</strong> - <em>Sagemont</em></p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="814984" first="Rickey" last="Ballard"] left it all out on the floor against Westminster Academy. The 6-foot-6 guard/wing scored 17 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers. Ballard has a serious motor and plays with a ton of heart to the final whistle. I have seen very few kids with his level of hustle and tenacity. He stood in on defense against superb players like 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709227" first="Jaylen" last="Carey"]</strong> and 2022 <strong>Ben</strong> <strong>Middlebrooks</strong>. On offense, Ballard has versatility to hit from outside or drive into the lane. He used his athleticism for a pretty reverse layup for one of his buckets. Ballard will also run out and explode above the rim in transition for dunks. Numerous D-1 programs have shown him interest.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818660" first="Jonathan" last="Renois"]/[player_tooltip player_id="709229" first="David" last="Delancy"] - <em>Somerset Academy - Pines</em></strong></p> <p>The Panthers secured a huge win against No.1 seed <strong>Mater Lakes</strong> in 4A-14 behind 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="709229" first="David" last="Delancy"] and 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="818660" first="Jonathan" last="Renois"]. Delancy scored 26 points and is a green light shooter from deep. Renois added 22 points and is a three-level scorer. Moreover, the 6-foot combo guard can stutter step his way into the lane and finish with either hand. I really like his athleticism and ability to hit shots while drawing contact. Delancy IV has the size at 6-foot-4 to be a factor inside and out.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"]</strong> - <em>Wellington</em></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"] is showing why he is one of the better players in Palm Beach County. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard scored 30 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 10-7A semifinal victory over <strong>Royal Palm Beach</strong>. The <strong>Arkansas-Little Rock</strong> commit matches his big guard size with tremendous quickness at the rim. Walker's agility and burst is special when you take into account his frame. In addition, his length gives him an advantage to be a factor on the glass. Walker has Wellington in the district final against <strong>Forest Hill</strong> looming.</p> <p><em><strong>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong></em></p>