SWFL Summer Standouts 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off our Summer Standout series for South West Florida, we start with the loaded class of 2024. The five players below are ones from SWFL that stood out at Prep Hoops events and are expected to be major contributors to their high school programs. I've watched all 5 of these players closely on the Prep Hoops circuit and many other open runs as well as college camps, each time these 5 consistently stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='1053914' first='Blake' last='Maddox'] Guard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'4 big guard does a lot of things really well, Blake has a large physical frame that often has him grabbing rebounds over larger players. He's emerged as one of the top prospects in SWFL and proved himself this travel ball season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1054119,"width":243,"height":162,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/122-Blake-Maddox.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/122-Blake-Maddox-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1054119" width="243" height="162"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very capable shooter and finisher Blake's size makes him a tough matchup at the 2 simply bullying smaller guards. He's shown out at multiple open runs and displayed a more polished game then in years past. This upcoming year Maddox will be adding to a stacked Charlotte High school roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='1055718' first='Chris' last='Cornish'] Guard&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you watched any 2024 basketball this summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit you're very familiar with the bouncy 6'4 prospect.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cornish averaged the highest PPG for 24's from Florida and was top 10 on a national level for players playing Prep Hoop's events.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1383903,"width":215,"height":271,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8144-1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/IMG_8144-1-814x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1383903" width="215" height="271"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'll never find Chris standing still, he cuts hard to the basket looking for the pass or lob.&nbsp;&nbsp;What really stands out is his offensive rebounding ability. He inhales missed shots generally resulting in a put back and easy 2. One of the most capable slashers in the state of Florida regardless of class, Cornish seems to always be adding to his game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'4 Jaden Wolner Guard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You wouldn't expect looking at Wolner that he'd be the prolific scorer that he is. The 6'4 guard shot the ball well this summer and used a variety of moves to get to the basket and finish. Jaden is still one of SWFL's best kept secrets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1435311,"width":282,"height":188,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Jaden-Wolner.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Jaden-Wolner-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1435311" width="282" height="188"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Naples guard can translate what he did this summer on to the court his high school season he's going to put a lot of people on notice. Excited to watch this prospect's junior outing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5'9 [player_tooltip player_id='1055585' first='Noah' last='Cutler'] Point Guard&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cutler is one of the rare PG's that makes his entire team better. He controls tempo, elite level ball handling and a next level ability to blow by defenders and get paint touches creating space for rim runners and shooters.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1479008,"width":287,"height":160,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Noah-Cutler.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Noah-Cutler-1024x573.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1479008" width="287" height="160"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't uncommon for Cutler to have a double double during the summer travel season. Arguably one of the best pure PG's in SWFL, he's not limited to his playmaking ability. Cutler is able to score in bunches when his team needs him, averaging 16 PPG playing the Prep Hoops Circuit. A very capable shooter off the dribble and what raises eyebrows the most is the 5'9 guards ability to get to the rim and finish over much larger defenders and paint protectors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'0 [player_tooltip player_id='1306129' first='Jaden' last='Baker']&nbsp;Guard&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker was the spark his Spartans team needed to win the Passion Region Finals. I've watched Jaden go absolutely unconscious and drop 30 plus points on solid competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1526235,"width":297,"height":198,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jaden-Baker1-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Jaden-Baker1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1526235" width="297" height="198"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> His shooting has come a long way after adding&nbsp;&nbsp;a consistent 3 ball to his game it's put him in the conversations as one of the better scoring guards in the state for 2024. His stock will certainly rise after his break out season. I look forward to watching this tough junior guard lead his Bradenton Christian team this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->