Wally Keller Classic: Day 1 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic is upon us... The event will be taking place on January 20 and 21 at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda. Prep Hoops Florida scouts Josh Cutler and Ross Van De Griek will be providing coverage of the event. Here is everything you need to know for Day 1 of the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Pierce Central vs Riverview (Sarasota)- Friday at 4:00pm: </strong>The first game of the 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic features two teams trending in opposite directions, as the Fort Pierce Central Cobras (17-4) are led by 11th year head coach Chris Maxon and come into the classic on an 11-game winning streak. The Cobras have been led by 6'2 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301752' first='Christian' last='Maxon'] who is averaging a team best 15.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be twin brother [player_tooltip player_id='1301751' first='Christopher' last='Maxon'] who is averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and is shooting 48 percent from beyond the arc this season. On the other side, the Riverview Rams (4-15) look to get a winning streak started after coming off a 66-45 win over Bradenton Christian in their last game back on January 17. Keep an eye on 6'3 sophomore guard Khyre Ellis in this matchup for the Rams as he does a little bit of everything on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moore Haven vs Port Charlotte- Friday at 5:40pm:</strong> The Moore Haven Terriers (4-6) are making their first appearance in the Wally Keller Classic, are led by 1st year head coach Ravin Lee. On the other side, the Port Charlotte Pirates (10-7) are led by 5th year head coach Kip Rhoten and have his team winning four of their last five games coming into the week. Keep an eye on 6'4 freshman combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1633093' first='Dallas' last='Lambert'], as well as 6'0 sophomore combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579751' first='Kaden' last='Suber'] and 5'11 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579754' first='Jah' last='Chin']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orlando Christian Prep vs Charlotte (Punta Gorda)- Friday at 7:20pm: </strong>The Orlando Christian Prep Warriors (16-1) have one of the most talented teams in this year's field, coming into play on a 13-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6'4 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1055774' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] who is averaging a team best 19.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season for the Warriors. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'0 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1055785' first='Ameer' last='Ramadan'] who is averaging 14.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game this season. On the other side, the Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons (8-10) come into play on a 3-game winning streak dating back to January 7. Keep an eye on 6'6 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1578301' first='John' last='Gamble'] who is leading the team averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'4 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578259' first='Chris' last='Cornish'] who is averaging 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alonso vs Fort Myers- Friday at 8:00pm: </strong>The Alonso Ravens (16-4) are led by 16th year head coach Todd Price and come into the classic winning 4 of their last 5 games. Keep an eye on 6'3 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1060147' first='Woody' last='Machado'] and 6'11 senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1165382' first='Cole' last='Gingeleski'] as they combine to average nearly 35 points per game this season for the Ravens. On the other side, the Fort Myers Green Wave have been playing better basketball entering the week as they've won two in a row after losing six straight. Keep an eye on 5'9 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1056743' first='Marquielle' last='Tory'] who is leading the team averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'4 junior forward Therry Theresias who is all over the glass, averaging a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Norland vs Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL)- Friday at 9:00pm: </strong>In the nightcap, The Miami Norland Vikings (13-5) bring a three game winning streak coming into the classic. Keep an eye on 6'6 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1163363' first='Triston' last='Wilson'] who is averaging a team high 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season for the Vikings. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'3 senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='709246' first='Carl' last='Parrish'] who is averaging 14.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones (18-1) come in ranked No. 6 in the state of Illinois, across all classifications. Keep an eye on 6'4 senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='989267' first='Jake' last='Hamilton'] who is averaging a team high 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season for the Cyclones. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'4 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1113521' first='Zack' last='Hawkinson'] who is averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->