Early Preview: Palm Beach County Contenders

<p>November 1st is scheduled as the <a href="https://fhsaa.com/documents/2021/4/27//Winter_2021_Dates.pdf?id=1526">start</a> of boys basketball season in Florida. That is followed by preseason tournaments from Nov. 15th - 20th. Two days later is the official start of the regular season.</p> <p>That means we are essentially <em>two</em> months away from action. It will come very quickly as we know.</p> <p>Who are contenders this season up in Palm Beach County?</p> <p><em>Let’s look into it.</em></p> <p><strong>Benjamin Buccaneers</strong><em>:</em> <em>(Last season: 8-14)</em></p> <p>The Buccaneers concluded last season with five consecutive losses and suffered six overall defeats to teams from Broward or Miami-Dade. They played a tough schedule that included <strong>Westminster Academy</strong> and <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Crest. </strong>The good news is they are projected to bring back their top four scorers. Could last season’s experience help them in 2021? 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962596" first="Gavin" last="Aydelotte"]</strong> (6’10) is a player I’m looking to take the next step. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Aydelotte could be a dominant force with more athleticism and seasoning. Just let the kid devop and work on his game. 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962502" first="Darrell" last="Sweeting"]</strong> is a dual-sport athlete that averaged 11.4 points per contest while shooting 60 percent from the floor. The Bucs have a nice nucleus and I expect a winning season. Previously, [player_tooltip player_id="814917" first="Isaiah" last="Nesmith"] was listed at Benjamin. He is now at <strong>American Heritage Plantation</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Suncoast Chargers</strong>: (<em>Last season: 10-4</em>)</p> <p>Expectations should be high when you have 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709251" first="Nate" last="Sasser"]</strong> and 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1053915" first="Stone" last="Bureau"]</strong>. The pair are two of the best players in the county. The 6-foot-6 Sasser holds offers from <strong>FGCU</strong> and <strong>USF. </strong>He is a mismatch problem with his size and athleticism. Sasser will be a high-double figure scorer as a junior. The 6-foot Bureau is a lightning quick point guard with his best basketball far ahead of him. I love his handle and control of an offense at a young age. 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1055707" first="Ian" last="Smikle"]</strong> is a prospect to watch as well. The 6-foot-8 forward/center averaged seven rebounds per game, including over three on the offensive end. The Chargers have a nice base of length and athleticism here.</p> <p><strong>Dwyer Panthers</strong>: (<em>Last season: 14-4</em>)</p> <p>The Panthers lose <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068762" first="Rodrick" last="Johnson"] Jr</strong>. (13.2 ppg/6.8 rpg) to graduation. However, behind Johnson are 2022’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1161408" first="Juwan" last="Dawes"]</strong> and <strong>Xavier</strong> <strong>Scott Jr</strong>. and 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962569" first="Kyle" last="McNeal"].</strong> The trio averaged over 29 points per game for the Panthers. Dawes is a 6-foot-4 lefty wing that can defend multiple positions. Scott Jr. was selected first-team All-County by the Palm Beach Post. McNeal is an incredible athlete with a football offer from <strong>Florida Atlantic</strong>. There is no shortage of talent up in <strong>Palm Beach Gardens</strong>. Dwyer reached the 7A state title game before falling to <strong>Dr. Phillips</strong> last season.</p> <p><strong>Forest Hill Falcons</strong>: (<em>Last season: 10-3</em>)</p> <p>Not an easy task for Forest Hill when you lose <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818698" first="Donovan" last="Draper"]</strong> and <strong>Jalen</strong> <strong>Jeter</strong> to graduation. The 6-foot-6 Draper signed with <strong>Navy</strong> to play football. Jeter is also playing football at <strong>Saginaw Valley State.</strong> On the court, the pair averaged over 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists per game. However, 2022 <strong>Michael Cooper</strong> is back after averaging nearly 12 points per contest. He also knocked down 48 percent of his 3-point attempts. He is a kid I’ve liked for quite sometime. I’ve also been impressed with 2022 <strong>Octavious Williams II</strong>. The 6-foot-3 guard has length and should be more assertive this season on offense. He averaged eight points per game on 41 percent shooting from the field as a junior.</p> <p><strong>Jupiter Warriors</strong>: - <em>(Last season: 7-9)</em></p> <p>We have documented the add of 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956782" first="Conner" last="Weston"]</strong> from <strong>Jupiter</strong> <strong>Christian.</strong> I have also talked about 2022 6-foot-3 shooting guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="829416" first="Alex" last="Houck"]</strong>. Both kids have talent and familiarity with one another. Another kid to watch is 2025 <strong>Ray-Ray Collum</strong>. The young point guard could be the best catch and shoot player on the roster. His poise and tempo should be on display this season. Head coach <strong>JD DePesquale </strong>has a good group.</p> <p>I have no idea how good <strong>Wellington</strong> or <strong>St. Andrew’s</strong> is going to be. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953071" first="Jordan" last="Johnson"]</strong>, and <strong>Will VanHook </strong>are gone from a Wolverines team that went 12-3. The Scots lose superstar <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818738" first="Josh" last="Minott"]</strong> (Memphis) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818824" first="Devin" last="Hines"]</strong> (Lafayette). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953685" first="Kenny" last="Turner"]</strong> (King University) and Bob Stewart (Tufts) also depart. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="955602" first="Anquan" last="Boldin Jr"]. transferred to <strong>IMG Academy</strong>. That is an incredible amount of talent from a program that has dominated in recent years. I look forward to seeing what both programs have to offer this 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>