District Champion Standouts
There is a lot of weight on district championships. For some it cements their place in regional seeding others it’s all about bragging rights. Below are the standouts from some of Florida’s premier championship games. Baron Collier Anthony Cancelleri performed…
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Continue ReadingThere is a lot of weight on district championships. For some it cements their place in regional seeding others it’s all about bragging rights. Below are the standouts from some of Florida’s premier championship games.
Baron Collier
Anthony Cancelleri performed really well against one of the most athletic teams I’ve seen this season. Deflections and steals came as the 6’6 guard applied pressure in Baron Colier’s full court defense. Cancelleri even tallied a chase down block after commuting a turnover. Offensively, he was sound. He had 5 assists to 2 turnovers showcasing his ability to drive and kick. His ability to get downhill and score at the rim is predicated on his athleticism and quick first step.
Yvens Paul Yvens Paul 6'7" | PF Barron Collier | 2022 State FL is one of the best available big men in southwest Florida. He had a 10 point, 12 rebound double-double with 5 blocks in a win. He’s an explosive finisher at the rim, has timing on his blocks, and is light on his feet for someone his size.
Bryce Clayton scored in several ways leading to a game-high 19 points. He scored off pull ups in isolation, hit corner threes, and scored at the rim. Clayton has a varied scoring package as a 6’4 guard.
Noah French was the team’s second leading scorer and second leading rebounder. French scored in transition, on catch and shoot threes from the wing, and finished around the rim. He’s a smart player that made easy buckets as a cutter and found his big man in transition for an alley oop.
Naples
Marques Leon’s IQ and passing lead to several pivotal plays. He gets in the lane and has the court vision to find cutter and shooters. He makes the pass before the pass and is a sneaky defensive player.
Tampa Catholic
Roderick Watson-Pearcey Roderick Watson-Pearcey 6'4" | SF Tampa Catholic | 2022 State FL has been one of the most consistent defensive presences of the season. In this game, he added two charges and three blocks to his stat book. The 6’4 gets in position early, has the bounce to challenge shots at the rim, the length to haul in deflections and steal. Offensively, he knocked down threes from the wing, threw down dunks in transition, and scored on putbacks.
Karter Knox Karter Knox 6'6" | SG Tampa Catholic | 2024 #6 Nation GA ‘s athleticism leads to production. He can finish above the rim, rebound above his 6’5 listing, and score with his jumper. He played hard in transition, taking shots coast to coast and using euro steps to get better looks at the rim. His combination of physical tools and next-level athleticism make him one of the best sophomores in the country and he’s not scratching his ceiling.
Isaiah Campbell-Finch Isaiah Campbell-Finch 6'1" | PG Tampa Catholic | 2025 State #361 Nation FL plays beyond his years in big games. His first of many district championship games turned into a 16 point game. He’s a shotmaker with a consistent pull up out of moves. The freshman showed IQ with a drive and kick pass, then relocate to the corner for an open three. He just knows how to score and set his teammates up. As always, Campbell-Finch plays strong perimeter defense on opposing guards.
Donnie Morris Donnie Morris 6'5" | SF Berkeley Prep | 2024 State FL ‘s level of hustle on his 6’5 frame made plays. He saved loose balls that lead to positive possessions, finished against contact, and drew a foul when driving to the basket.
Karmello Branch Karmello Branch 6'3" | SF Tampa Catholic | 2023 State FL gives this team another physical athletic forward. He’s more offensively inclined and excels as a finisher against contact. Branch is a driver that looks to score but can find the open along the way.
Brooks Debarlto
Jordin Bell adds to the depth of Florida’s talented 2024 class. He’s a speedy scoring guard with deep range and space creating handle. He shoots well out off the pick and roll, off the catch, and draws fouls. His quick hands on the defensive end resulted in a pair of strip steals.
Lyrique Sardinia is a promising freshman. His ability to score off the drive made way for his floater, crafty finishes, and draw fouls.
Evan Falconer’s year-end stats are riddled with high assist low turnover games. He walked away with 7 helpers in the district championship loss. He doubles as a knockdown corner three shooter.
Southeast
Karmani Gregory Karmani Gregory 6'0" | CG Southeast | 2022 State FL creates space and shoots at a high level. Though he didn’t have his most efficient game, he did show how varied his shotmaking is. Whether it was off the catch or the dribble, Gregory has a chance to score. He’s also adept at drawing fouls and scoring in transition.
Aaron Barton Aaron Barton 6'1" | SG Southeast | 2023 FL chipped in 13 points while playing solid perimeter defense. He went 3 for 8 from beyond the arc.
Malik Banks Malik Banks 5'11" Southeast | 2022 FL is a 6 foot combo guard that can put points on the board with his driving. Once Banks gets going downhill, his court vision opens and so does his finishing. He puts pressure on the front of the rim with his speed and handles. The unsigned senior slides his feet on the perimeter, has quick hands, and rebounds better than his frame would suggest.
St Petersburg
Quez Curry Jr Quez Curry Jr 5'9" St Petersburg | 2023 FL . is a high-energy quick-twitch guard. Curry’s speed helps him make plays in transition and out of pick and rolls. He may not be the biggest player at his position but he has the toughness and dexterity to finish around bigger bodies. His court vision allows him to find guys in St. Pete’s fast-paced offense. He’s shown a nice stroke from beyond the three this season with a knack for getting hot. In this title district game, he knocked down several threes off the catch and knocked down a pair of game sealing free throws.
Tristan Gross Tristan Gross 6'4" | CG St. Pete | 2023 State #194 Nation FL is one of the premier shotmakers in Florida’s 2023 class. The 6’5 combo guard shot well off the catch, finished against contact, and displayed a handle that creates space for his pull up. In this game, it was his activity level on the defensive end that made him stand out. His length and quickness in passing lanes made steals and deflections easy to come by.
Dylan Kramer’s interior presence was St. Pete’s most efficient offensive option. He continues to prove his physicality around the rim can lead to easy buckets and offensive rebounds. Kramer made an impressive lefty hook out of the post.
Derrick Mitchell Derrick Mitchell 6'5" | CG St. Pete | 2022 State FL struggled to score in the district championship game, but he came away with the most important basket. The athletic 6’5 forward tipped in the bucket that sent St. Pete into overtime where’d they close out the game. He was a force on the boards with a game high 9. Mitchell made plays on the defensive end, including game highs in blocks and steals.
Gulf Breeze
Reece Bloomberg Reece Bloomberg 6'3" | SG Gulf Breeze | 2022 State FL has been having a strong senior season in the panhandle. His team-high 22 points comprised hitting 4 of 9 threes off the catch and dribble, curling off screens for a contact, lay up, and a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line. Bloomberg has real positional size that pops on film. The charge he took in this game shows his defensive awareness.
Max Schneidt Max Schneidt 6'3" | PG Gulf Breeze | 2023 State FL ‘s offense fueled the first half. Between getting out in transition for steals, cutting in the halfcourt, and hitting threes off the catch, Schneidt scored with ease. The 2023 guard can create offense off the bounce and make plays with his sharp passes.
Carson Hepworth is a three-sport athlete with a strong body. Hepworth showed toughness by taking three charges, playmaking with several assists, and finishing on both sides of the rim. He can step out and hit the three as well.
Washington
Alex Jasquith is going to be a fixture in panhandle basketball for years to come. The 6’5 sophomore has length, athleticism, and a reliable jumper off the catch. Jasquith scores on transition showcasing his handle in space, can get to the rim in the halfcourt, and finish against contact. He’s a solid defender that can block shots at the rim and slide his feet on the perimeter.
Reed Robinson’s combination of size and athleticism on the wing makes him a threat at the high school level. He can draw fouls on drives, collect steals in passing lanes, and run the floor in transition for easy baskets. The 6’4 wing has a 40 inch vertical.