Western Conference Semifinals Standouts

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Western Conference tournament had a final four filled with Tampa teams. Each squad is having a strong season with a chance to get out of their district. Below, we have the top prospects from its opening rounds.</p> <p><strong>Plant City</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1296009" first="Elijah" last="Dawson"]</strong></p> <p>Dawson had a great day finishing at the rim. Whether it was off the drive or a cut, the 6’1 guard put the ball in the hole. He has solid energy on the court that leads to offensive rebounds and putbacks.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-e1644204278561.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1381022" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-e1644204278561-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1161405" first="DJ" last="Haynes"]</strong></p> <p>Haynes is an outstanding two sports athlete. He can score with midrange pull ups, floaters, and can finish through contact at the rim. The lead guard even hit a catch and shoot three from the left wing. He shines on the defensive end where his athleticism makes him a good on ball defender that can force turnovers. He shot passing lanes and collected a pair of blocks at the rim.</p> <p><strong>Plant </strong></p> <p><strong>Jean Luma</strong></p> <p>Luma had a dynamic 15 point performance. He hit shots from deep and the midrange off the dribble. Got in the paint for floaters and layups. The senior guard has a noticeable fundamental base equipped with jump stops, a consistent jumper, and an ability to get teammates involved. He’s an active and energetic defense.</p> <p><strong>Wharton </strong></p> <p><strong>Trent Lincoln </strong></p> <p>The electric 6’2 guard gets to his spots in a flash. Lincoln gets downhill in a flash with bursts of speed out of his moves. He has great body control and athleticism that allowed him to finish around the opposing team’s 6’11 big man. The 2023 prospect can get to his pull up which will only become more dangerous as it improves. His passing is an attribute that might go overlooked, but the no look pass he threw in transition and needle he threaded in the halfcourt are going on highlight reels.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1161403" first="Trevor" last="Dyson"]</strong></p> <p>Dyson is one of the toughest unsigned seniors in the area. His 18 point night consisted of tip ins, off the catch threes beyond college range, and transition scores. His toughness on the defensive end lead to him protecting the rim against an agile 6’11 big and on ball steals. It’s his level of competitiveness that stands out on the court. That trait shows up in every single run that Wharton needed to stay in the game.</p> <p><strong>Lucean Milligan</strong></p> <p>The sophomore had a great night passing and shooting the ball. He knocked down 3 threes, including a deep game-tying shot beyond college range. He’s a more confident creator than my first watch in Wildwood.</p> <p><strong>Alonso</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1065438" first="Trent" last="Scott"]</strong></p> <p>The Morehead State commit used his size as a 6’4 guard. Scott can back down smaller guys for easy shots at the rim. As a lead guard, he can get downhill against bigger defenders. His athleticism is on every high school scouting report. Finishing through contact is a regular task for him.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1161422" first="Jason" last="Stovall"]</strong></p> <p>Stovall was the star of the night in this big time matchup. His 21 points came from a 5 of 7 night from beyond the arc. He also showed he can put the ball on the floor for baseline drives. The unsigned senior is having a great season shooting the ball with volume, making 75 threes through 24 games. Stovall is adept at on ball defender that picked up a charge and steal while keeping his man in front of him. He currently has an offer from New England College.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1381016" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image1-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1165382" first="Cole" last="Gingeleski"]</strong></p> <p>This 2023 prospect’s best basketball is ahead of him. He’s a long agile 6’11 big that can finish above the rim with authority. He runs the floor well for someone his size. Gingeleski can protect the rim, pass out of the post, and is great in the dunker spot. He already has a solid post game but lacks the strength to pull them off against stronger defenders. He should already be a D1 target, but as he packs on size, he’ll become a more dynamic low post threat.</p>