Team Preview: Florida Christian

<p>Throughout this month, I will be highlighting selected teams across South Florida. This article takes me to Florida Christian in Miami. The Patriots went 17-5 last season under head coach <strong>Jason Doan</strong>. Florida Christian lost three of their five games by a combined nine points. Therefore, they were in virtually every game they played. 2021 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953479" first="Joey" last="Brown"]</strong> (14.3 ppg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953808" first="Davin" last="Hernandez"]</strong> (10.3 ppg), <strong>Jordan Guerrero</strong> (8.4 ppg), and <strong>Alex</strong> <strong>Viera</strong> (7.6 ppg) are key departures. All four shot 42 percent or better from the field and made a combined 96 3-pointers. That offense will need to be replaced in 2021.</p> <p>Key players/roster:</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="814930" first="Jose" last="Amat"] III</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829513" first="Nicholas" last="Mate"]</p> <p>2022 Amari Singleton</p> <p>2022 Fabian Quintana</p> <p>2022 Brett Gurka</p> <p>2022 German Hernandez</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829448" first="Tyler" last="Greene"]</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="955791" first="Charlie" last="Bell"]</p> <p>2023 Matthew Sicle</p> <p>2022 Jacob Holcombe</p> <p>2022 Daniel Smith</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="956772" first="Levertis" last="Williams"] Jr.</p> <p>2022 Aaron Fabelo</p> <p>2023 Nathan Williams</p> <p>2023 Andrew Williams</p> <p>Florida Christian is heavy on guards with an average height of 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-3. The Patriots pressure you on every possession with a high octane type of offense. They will run and run and run and run. </p> <p>Amat III (10.3 ppg) and Mate (9.0 ppg) knocked down a combined 96 3-pointers. Both players are efficient from the field and hit shots from anywhere at a <em>high</em> volume. In addition, they are good free-throw shooters  with each hitting at 83 percent. I think both players are the main engine to Florida Christian’s identity. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Also, take into account their leadership as seniors.</span></p> <p>Quintana (5.9 ppg) was next with 34 3-pointers made and shot 80 percent from the free throw line. He’s another element Florida Christian can work with. I’m confident Quintana, as well as Amat III and Mate, can execute this offense for 32 minutes.</p> <p>Florida Christian could be <em>even</em> better with an extended group that buys into its game plan. An additional core of players that hustle and shoot efficiently will round out this roster. I don’t see how you can stop six or seven players in sync.</p> <p>You do <em>not</em> want to get into a track meet with this team. The Patriots want you to play at their tempo and will punish you as a result. <span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Just ask </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Miami Norland</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> or </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Westminster Christian</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> last season. I believe the Patriots’ win over the Vikings was its first in school history. </span></p> <p>Florida Christian is a fun and unique team to watch. The Patriots can beat anyone even if they might be less talented on paper. Well, preparation and execution can often times knock down a superior opponent. I think the Patriots do this just as good as anyone.</p> <p>I see no reason why they wouldn’t win 15 or more games again this season.</p> <p><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></p>