Polk Hoops Shootout Preview
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The stage is set for another Polk Hoops Shootout which will feature ten notable schools from across West to Central Florida. The high school basketball season is nearing the finish line but tournament and district play will soon follow. Prep…
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Continue ReadingThe stage is set for another Polk Hoops Shootout which will feature ten notable schools from across West to Central Florida. The high school basketball season is nearing the finish line but tournament and district play will soon follow. Prep Hoops scout Andrew Johnson will provide the tournament schedule preview with players to know and attend the event for further analysis.
Schedule Preview
Sickles (5-16) vs Lake Wales (4-11)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Key Players: Sickles is led by the 6’0 senior combo guard Jayson Perry who has had a stellar senior season for the Gryphons. Perry has polished fundamentals and can shoot the rock from range. Plays with a good motor and finishes strong at the rim for his frame. Lake Wales has struggled this season but has won three straight behind the efforts of junior guard Sevastian Rosado. The junior is just 5’7, 130-pounds but has a dog mentality on the court. Rosado is a scoring machine, averaging 35.0 points in the last three matchups and 23.0 through five games.
Hillsborough (12-10) vs Melbourne (12-7)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Key Players: Two teams on opposite coasts of the Florida landscape will face off in the Prep Hoops Shootout. Hillsborough is led by junior guard Victor Olayisade Victor Olayisade 6'0" | CG American Collegiate | 2024 FL who averages 14.4 points with 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals to add. Olayisade is a developing product that can score, facilitate and play good defense. For Melbourne, senior Nate King Nate King 6'1" | PG Melbourne | 2023 FL is leading the Bulldogs in multiple categories. The 6’1, 165-pound guard is averaging 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds.
Seminole (9-7) vs Auburndale (15-6)
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Key Players: Seminole is on a two-game win streak behind impressive finishes from junior shooting guard Colin Way Colin Way 6'4" | SG Seminole | 2024 FL . Way has a solid offensive repitiore with underrated leaping ability. The Auburndale Bloodhounds have various elite prospects on the roster but the 6’9 paint beast Nehemiah Turner Nehemiah Turner 6'8" | PF Auburndale | 2023 State FL leads the way with 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds. Look out for Auburndale’s senior guard Kervin Knaggs Kervin Knaggs 6'1" | PG Auburndale | 2023 State FL to also have a productive showing (15.9 ppg).
King (16-6) vs Lakeland (16-3)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Key Players: This will be one of the more balanced and must-see games to watch on Saturday. Both teams have put together solid seasons and feature notable prospects. King is led by 6’2, 170-pound combo guard John Ziegler John Ziegler 6'2" | CG King | 2023 State FL , averaging 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.9 steals. The talented senior has accumulated 1,592 total points throughout his high school career. The Dreadnaughts will be led by state champion linebacker Rolijah Hardy Rolijah Hardy 6'0" | CG Lakeland | 2023 FL who has an imposing frame and is very physical on the floor. Hardy averages 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds with 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals.
Windermere Prep (15-6) vs Discovery (9-11)
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Key Players: The final matchup of the Polk Hoops Shootout will feature two intriguing prospects. Windermere Prep’s Brandon Bass Jr Brandon Bass Jr 6'5" | SG Windermere Prep | 2026 State FL is a rising freshman that can do it all for his team Bass has a team-high 17.5 points per game. Ready to watch the young phenom perform in person. Discovery is led by the versatile Angel Canuelas who leads the Spartans with 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.