Regional Semi Final Standouts: Winter Haven V Wekiva

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Winter Haven earned a big win to head to the regional final. Wekiva never gave up giving us a great prospect game from both teams. Wekiva’s backcourt played both ends while Winter Haven’s big three had support from a deep roster.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image3-2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1393362" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image3-2-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1055762" first="Jamie" last="Phillips"] Jr. is using his 6’5 frame to create easy scoring opportunities. He gets deep position in the paint when off the ball, can finish through and over the top of smaller guards. He’s a patient on the block and as the lead playmaker. Phillips Jr. throws passes in tight windows only his teammates can catch. The sophomore continues to play well on big stages.</p> <p>Wekiva took [player_tooltip player_id="814550" first="Dylan" last="James"] out of the offense in the first quarter, but he still ended the night with 24 points. The rest of the night James scored above the rim, scored out of the post with a right hook, and connected on three corner threes. James continues to be a high level shot blocker that changes shots, scares opponents from challenging him at the paint, and adds 4 more blocks to bring his season total to 93.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055750" first="Isaac" last="Celiscar"] stood out with his passing. He walked away with 5 assists, including a nice oop pass. He caused turnovers on the defensive with his long arms and upper body strength. Celiscar scored in transition and showed touch on his floater. At 6’6 his motor and athleticism make his growing skillset really exciting.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962419" first="Matt" last="Vaughn"]’s ability to make plays without the ball is perfect for a team with a wealth of creators. The athletic guard scored off cuts, getting above the rim for an alley oop, and throwing one down in transition. He also scored a pair of assists through post entry passes. He has a<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image2-2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1393364 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image2-2-150x150.jpeg" alt="Tyrese Mayo | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a> quick first step that allowed him to blow by guys off the dribble.</p> <p>Tyrese Mayo has been growing on me all year. The sophomore is a quick defender that stays in front of his man and can frustrate ball handlers with his quick hands. His speed helps him create gaps in transition. He makes the smart pass on offense to keep the ball moving. Mayo is a consistent shooter who hit 38% of his threes on the season and added two more corner threes in this regional semifinal win.</p> <p>Wekiva</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-3-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1393365" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-3-150x150.jpeg" alt="Jamarric Hamond | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jammaric-hammond/">Jamarric Hammond</a> will definitely make my unsigned senior report after his performance last night. His ability to penetrate a defense, read the floor, and create offense for others made him one of the best playmakers on the floor. Hammond led his team in scoring with 18 points showcasing an ability to score against size, draw fouls, shoot the three off screens and the catch. His quickness and hustle helped him be a pesky on ball defender.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-3-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1393368 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-3-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1060149" first="Malachi" last="Hampton"] is a growing commodity in Central Florida. The 2023 prospect has a chiseled 6’5 frame and uses it on defense. A high motor allowed him to get in passing lanes for deflections and rack up three steals against solid passers. He’s a next level athlete that showed his speed and bounce in transition with a stop at the rim and another in the halfcourt. A consistent shot beyond the arc fueled his 14 point night with a pair of corner threes and a pull up three of a screen. He hits midrange jumpers off the dribble. Hampton made eye-catching plays as a passer throwing darts with his left hand, getting an assist in transition, and throwing a tight pocket pass. A breakout is on the horizon for the junior.</p> <p>Isaiah Bannister-Doucette offers high level athleticism wrapped in a stout 6’4 frame. He’s more of an energy player at this point that makes big defensive plays. The junior blocked [player_tooltip player_id="814550" first="Dylan" last="James"] at the rim, pulled down boards with force and used his speed to get a steal in passing lanes. Offensively, he needs to improve his ball skills, but athleticism and toughness help him finish around the rim and grab offensive boards.</p> <p>Darius Livingston has me interested in Wekiva’s future. The freshman came off the bench to score 8 points, hitting a pair of corner threes and a transition layup. He played heavy minutes for a relatively young team but never looked out of place against Winter Haven’s talented bunch.</p>