Pan Handle Top Prospects: 2022 (Part III)

<p>In recent years the Florida pan handle has been home to many talented college basketball players. While we have scouts based in Orlando (Myself), Tampa (Jake Perper), Jacksonville (Mark Holland) and Miami (Mike Constentiens) the pan handle has at times lacked publicity. Over the past two weeks I have done some digging, watched some film and found talented young men who show the potential to make it to the next level. These are some of the prospects in the class of 2022 who have caught my eye:</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="1161394" first="Alex" last="Steen"] 6-7 Arnold</p> <p>A combo forward who has been a popular name among college coaches, Steen impressed with his consistency over this past high school and AAU season. I remember the first time I watched him as a sophomore, you could tell he had athleticism and potential but he just hadn’t put it all together yet. It has been evident that Steen spent his time wisely during the summer of Covid-19, working in the gym and weight room. The Arnold high star finished his junior season with an impressive stat line of 21.2 PPG 11.0 RPG and 2.0BPG. The lengthy forward is dominant when he drives baseline, and also finishes well around the rim, a result of added strength.  He is a poster waiting to happen with his length, and above average athleticism that allows him to play above the rim. Defensively, he is a solid rim protector and rebounder who can guard multiple positions. Thus far Troy, Florida Southern, West Florida, and Auburn-Montgomery have extended scholarship offers. Off the floor Steen takes care of business in the classroom holding a 4.0 GPA.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="956816" first="Kion" last="Hayes"] 6-4 Choctawhatchee</p> <p>For the past two seasons, Hayes was an all area performer playing for Fort Walton Beach high. With a final season left to play, he decided to take his talents to state runner up Choctaw in hopes of competing for a State championship. His scoring will be much needed with the Indians graduating several key pieces from that memorable run to Lakeland. The guard also brings great size to their perimeter at 6-4, and he was his former teams top scorer and rebounder with averages of 18.1PPG and 5.5 RPG. I look forward to watching Hayes this upcoming season at the Sun Bash, and potentially the state playoffs.</p> <p>G/F [player_tooltip player_id="814924" first="Omarayon" last="Turner"] 6-5 Pine Forest</p> <p>Pine Forest will turn to Turner for senior leadership next season with the Eagles returning an impressive group of underclassmen from a team that won 16 games last year. Turner is a long 6-6 athlete who can get it done in the post, or out on the perimeter. Last season he was named to the Pensacola News Journal all area second team, and he looks to build off that strong junior season.  Turner has received and offer from Bishop State.</p> <p>CG Christian Valarezo 6-0 Milton</p> <p>Another All Area second team performer returning to the Pensacola Area, Valarezo is my pick to lead the area in scoring. He turned in many big scoring nights as a Junior including 32 against Niceville, 28 against Choctaw, and 27 against Tate. The 3-point marksmen averaged 12.9 PPG 4.6 RPG and 2.1 APG shooting 37% from the 3-Point land. He is great coming off of pin down screens, and is a threat off the catch where he can either drain a 3-pointer,or maneuver his way to the basket. Off the court Valarezo takes school very seriously as he holds a 4.7 GPA and scored  1280 on his SAT.</p> <p>PF [player_tooltip player_id="957002" first="Jaden" last="Newell"] 6-8 Choctawhatchee</p> <p>Newell had some impressive moments this past season playing AAU with 1 Family. The stretch 4-man is a pick and pop threat, with his high release point being hard to contest. He runs the floor very well at a long 6-8, and has a good feel of where to be on the court and when. After waiting his turn at Choctaw, Newell may be in for a break out senior year.</p> <p>Other names to watch:</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="956775" first="Kobe" last="Lovelace"] 6-2 (Escambia)</p> <p>SF Perry Fisher 6-3 (Lincoln)</p> <p>G Josiah McCall 6-0 (Arnold)</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="956778" first="Mason" last="McManus"] 6-4 (Booker T. Washington)</p> <p>F Dominic Jackson 6-4 (Gulf Breeze)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>