BCAA Big 8 Tournament: Player Preview

<p>The BCAA Big 8 Tournament will take place Wednesday through Saturday at Fort Lauderdale High School.</p> <p>The matchups are as follows.</p> <p>Stranahan vs. Cardinal Gibbons - 2/2 5:00 PM</p> <p>Pines Charter vs. Coral Springs - 2/2 7:30 PM</p> <p>Cypress Bay vs. Boyd Anderson - 2/3 5:00 PM</p> <p>St. Thomas vs. Dillard - 2/3 7:30 PM</p> <p>Players to watch:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1376292" first="CALEB" last="ALCINEUS"] - Cardinal Gibbons</p> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1376292" first="CALEB" last="ALCINEUS"] is a solid athlete for the Chiefs. The 6-foot-5 forward can get out and go in transition. Alcineus has plenty of foot speed and a good handle to score on the run. In addition, his vert is a nice option to grab rebounds and score off putbacks. Three other kids to watch are 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1055708" first="Casey" last="Etienne"] Jr, 2022 Johnny Papadakos, and 2022 Daniel Jordan. In particular, Etienne Jr. is a dual-sport combo guard with size at 6-foot-3. He was a safety on Cardinal Gibbons’ football team that won a state championship.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1065432" first="Jonathan" last="Fils"] - Coral Springs</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1065432" first="Jonathan" last="Fils"] is a nice scoring guard alongside 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="812637" first="Greg" last="Spate"]. The 6-foot-1 guard can attack the basket and stretch a defense with his range. Fils is solid in transition with ability to make the extra pass. Furthermore, he has good vision to create a turnover and score at the other end. Overall, Fils is a quality on-ball defender with playmaking ability in multiple areas. I think you can count on him in pressure situations in the fourth quarter. On top of his play, he is a strong leader for the Colts. Click <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14050885/Jonathan-fils">here</a> for video on Fils.</p> <p>Joaquin Pineyrua - Cypress Bay</p> <p>A name I’ve yet to mention for the Lightning is 2023 Joaquin Pineyrua. The 2023 guard gives Cypress Bay another shooting option alongside 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="829477" first="Kevin" last="Pazmino"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1062420" first="Noah" last="Kattan"]. The 5-foot-11 Pineyrua shoots at a high clip from deep. He holds a 4.8 GPA. 2022 Maxwell Gordon is a do everything player in the rotation. He is a high-academic kid that can pour in 15 points and a dozen assists while shooting around 40% from 3-point land. Would be a solid D3 kid with his grades.</p> <p>Khimani Hopkinson - Dillard</p> <p>2022 Khimani Hopkinson has a ton of length. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound can be an effective scorer and rebounder in the paint. I think he has enough athleticism to score off the dribble or pop out from behind the line. Overall, his size is intriguing. At the very least, he offers rim protection and plenty of frame around the key. Hopkinson previously played at <strong>Elite Academy</strong>.</p> <p>Jaylen Black - Stranahan</p> <p>2022 Jaylen Black is one of the engines for the Mighty Dragons. The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 7.3 points, 4.7 assists, two rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Black has quick hands and is an effective passer. His leadership in the backcourt has helped Stranahan to a 19-2 record.</p> <p>James Madison - St. Thomas Aquinas</p> <p>2024 James Madison is a bulldozer with the ball in his hands. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Raider will drive to the rim using his size and speed. Madison is virtually lights out after his first step. This kid will explode and get to the tin in a hurry. Furthermore, he’s too big and strong to get infront of and stop. He gives Aquinas another option alongside 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="955771" first="Andrew" last="Akuchie"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1161400" first="Matthew" last="Cadogan"]. Madison is an elite football player as well.</p> <p>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines@  Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>