IMG Academy Ascender Classic Preview: Day 1
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The annual Ascender Classic has arrived and Prep Hoops Florida is taking a deeper dive at what to watch out for the next two days. Top teams and top prospects from across the state will be on display. Prep Hoops…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Ascender Classic has arrived and Prep Hoops Florida is taking a deeper dive at what to watch out for the next two days. Top teams and top prospects from across the state will be on display. Prep Hoops Florida scout Ross Van De Griek will be taking in the action. Check out the Day 1 preview below:
North Tampa Christian vs IMG Academy Black- Friday at 12:45pm: The North Tampa Christian Titans will be making their first appearance in the Ascender Classic and have a talented freshman core led by 6’9 wing Toni Bryant Toni Bryant 6'9" | PF North Tampa Christian | 2026 State FL , alongside 6’0 point guard Archie McFadden Archie McFadden 6'1" | PG North Tampa Christian | 2026 State FL who picked up his first offer from NJIT earlier in the week. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’2 freshman combo guard Evan Kramer Evan Kramer 6'2" | SG North Tampa Christian | 2026 State FL . On the other side, the IMG Academy Black Ascenders come in looking to snap out of a 3-game losing streak.
Palmetto vs IMG Academy Silver- Friday at 2:15pm: The Palmetto Tigers are also making their first appearance in the Ascender Classic are led by head coach Abel Varnadore and come into play with an 8-8 record. Keep an eye on 6’0 freshman guard Evan Roberts Evan Roberts 6'1" | PG Palmetto | 2026 State FL for Palmetto in this matchup. The IMG Academy Silver Ascenders come into play with a 7-5 record and have won 3 of their last 4 games.
Benjamin vs Bradenton Christian- Friday at 3:45pm: The Benjamin Buccaneers will be making the trip across the state and are led by 7th year head coach Brandon Arnette. Keep an eye on 6’11 senior forward Gavin Aydelotte Gavin Aydelotte 6'11" | C Benjamin | 2023 State FL in this matchup, averaging a team best 18.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Buccaneers. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’0 senior guard Sanjae Moncrieffe who is averaging 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game this season. On the other side, the Bradenton Christian Panthers are led by 11th year head coach Scott Townsend and have been playing good basketball since the new year, winning 3 of their last 4 games. Keep an eye on 6’0 junior guard Jaden Baker Jaden Baker 6'0" | CG Bradenton Christian | 2024 State FL who is averaging a team best 21.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game this season for the Panthers. Another name to keep an eye on will be 5’11 sophomore guard Aaron Clark who is averaging 14.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Combine Academy (NC) vs Oldsmar Christian- Friday at 5:15pm: The Combine Academy will be making their way to the Sunshine State from North Carolina as they appear in the Ascender Classic for the first time. Keep an eye on 6’9 junior wing Trentyn Flowers Trentyn Flowers 6'8" | CG Combine Academy | 2023 #23 Nation NC who holds over 20 D-1 offers leading the team averaging 15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’5 junior guard Rakease Passmore Rakease Passmore 6'6" | SF Combine Academy | 2024 State #50 Nation NC who is averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Oldsmar Christian Eagles are led by 6’5 senior guard Braylon Jackson Braylon Jackson 6'5" Oldsmar Christian | 2023 FL and 6’5 senior combo guard Cristian Sanon.
Columbus (Miami) vs IMG Academy- Friday at 7:30pm: In the final matchup of the first day at the Ascender Classic, we bring you a Top 10 matchup between the No. 10 Columbus Explorers who are led by 6’5 sophomore guard Cayden Boozer Cayden Boozer 6'5" | PG Columbus | 2025 State #28 Nation FL and 6’9 sophomore power forward Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer 6'9" | PF Columbus | 2025 State #2 Nation FL . Also keep an eye on 6’8 junior small forward Malik Abdullahi who scored the game-winner at the Hoophall Classic to knock off Sierra Canyon (California). On the other side, the IMG Academy Ascenders come in ranked No. 9 in the nation, according to the Xcellent Top 25 rankings. Watch out for 6’4 senior guard Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL (Georgia Tech signee), as well as 6’7 junior wing Amier Ali Amier Ali 6'8" | SF Canyon International Academy | 2024 State #38 Nation AZ and 6’2 senior guard Jacoi Hutchinson Jacoi Hutchinson 6'3" | CG IMG | 2023 State #101 Nation FL (George Washington University signee)