Best Of Palm Beach County (Returning – Pt. 1)

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818738" first="Josh" last="Minott"].</strong>..<strong>Memphis </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818824" first="Devin" last="Hines"]</strong>...<strong>Lafayette</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"]</strong><em>...</em><strong>Arkansas - Little Rock</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818698" first="Donovan" last="Draper"]</strong>...<strong>Navy Football</strong></p> <p>There is a bit of turnover up in Palm Beach County. The names I mentioned above are just some of the prospects moving on to the college level. Furthermore, they joined a number of players in the Class of 2021 on all-county lists.</p> <p>Who might be the best player coming back? Let’s take a look at my thoughts.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956782" first="Conner" last="Weston"]</strong> - <em>Jupiter</em></p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="956782" first="Conner" last="Weston"] played last season at <strong>Jupiter Christian</strong> and helped the Eagles to a 11-7 record and a spot in the Class 3A-District 11 championship game. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season as a junior. He has since transferred to Jupiter High School to play for head coach <strong>JD DePasquale</strong>. Against eventual 3A state champion <strong>Calvary Christian Academy</strong>, Weston scored 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor. He also combined for 43 points in two games against <strong>Benjamin</strong> and added 17 points against <strong>St. Andrew’s</strong>. Weston has ability to be a stretch four and knock down perimeter shots. He recorded seven games with two or more 3-pointers made. Weston is also a tough kid that will battle around the glass. Against <strong>Martin County</strong> (21-1), he scored 15 points and grabbed ten rebounds. Weston simply showed up against some of the marquee names on his schedule. He will play with a high basketball IQ and defend multiple positions. Weston also holds a 3.76 GPA in the classroom. You can say he is the definition of a student-athlete. I think Weston can improve his overall athleticism and shooting before he graduates. You can check out some of his highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15390836/604bc0b45ca98008d0d3f070">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829457" first="Xavier" last="Scott"] Jr</strong>. - <em>Dwyer</em></p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829457" first="Xavier" last="Scott"] Jr. is a two-sport athlete playing for Dwyer up in <strong>Palm</strong> <strong>Beach Gardens</strong>. The 6-foot point guard averaged 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season for the Panthers. Moreover, Scott went 17-of-47 (36 percent) from the perimeter. Scott Jr. clearly has the athletic ability to make a multitude of plays on the court. He can really excel getting into the lane using his quickness. On defense, his on-ball vision netted him 31 steals in 14 games. He holds football offers from <strong>Air Force,</strong> <strong>Navy</strong>, <strong>UMass</strong>, <strong>Georgia State</strong>, <strong>FAU</strong> and <strong>Pittsburgh</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Gunner Walters</strong> - <em>Grandview Prep</em></p> <p>2022 Gunner Walters is a name that has been mentioned on this site quite a few times. The 6-foot guard helped Grandview Prep to a 16-3 record and a spot in the Class 2A state championship game. Walters averaged a team-best 17.6 points per game last season. In addition, he recorded 14 of his 17 games in double-figures. Walters also tallied 44 steals; including six against <strong>Berean Christian</strong>. He should be relied upon with the losses of 2021’s <strong>Mayke Bowles</strong> and <strong>Pedro Brown</strong>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829421" first="Caleb" last="Mackrey"]</strong> - <em>Olympic Heights</em></p> <p>A big opportunity awaits Mackrey with the losses of 2021’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714859" first="Micah" last="Octave"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818863" first="Marc" last="Steig"]</strong>.  The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 12.4 points, 3.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor last season. Moreover, Mackrey recorded nine games over 50 percent shooting from the field. Against <strong>Forest Hill </strong>(10-3), he had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. He will be counted on to hold the Lions’ 13-2 record from last season. You can check out some of his highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/430411/5ff36e9ca023891b5caf694c">here.</a> </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829416" first="Alex" last="Houck"]</strong> - <em>Jupiter</em></p> <p>The Warriors should be pretty good with Weston and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829416" first="Alex" last="Houck"] in the fold. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 2.5 steals per game last season. Houck is a high academic (3.6 GPA) prospect that can score at all three levels. He has the size out of the position to be highly effective around the glass. Jupiter High School should have high expectations next season.</p> <p><strong><em>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>