Wally Keller Classic: Day 2 Preview
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 2 of the event.
Canterbury (Fort Myers) vs Venice- Saturday at 10:20am: Day 2 of the 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic features the Canterbury Cougars taking on the Venice Indians. Keep an eye on 6’4 senior combo guard Kade Slaton who is leading the team averaging 15.3 points per game this season for the Indians. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’10 senior center Keegan Burroughs Keegan Burroughs 6'9" | C Venice | 2023 FL who is averaging a double-double this season. On the other side, the Canterbury Cougars are led by 6’1 junior forward Leroy Roker Leroy Roker 6'0" | PG Fort Myers Canterbury | 2024 FL who is averaging a team high 14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Also keep an eye on 6’7 sophomore forward Jerry Ashley Jerry Ashley 6'7" | PF Bishop Verot | 2025 State FL who is averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Cougars.
Mariner vs Sarasota- Saturday at 11:20am: The Mariner Tritons are playing good basketball right now as they have won three consecutive games and 9 of their last 11 overall. The Tritons have been led by 6’0 junior guard Justin Lewis Justin Lewis 6'0" | SG Mariner | 2024 FL who is averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season to lead the team. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’2 junior forward Kelvin Jimenez Kelvin Jimenez 6'1" | PG Mariner | 2024 State FL who is averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. On the other side, the Sarasota Sailors (16-4) have won 5 of their last 6 games coming into the Wally Keller Classic. Keep an eye on 6’5 junior forward Daniel Munn in this matchup as he is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season.
Westminster Academy vs Oldsmar Christian- Saturday at 12:00pm: We have a star-studded matchup in this one, as the Westminster Academy Lions come in ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, according to the latest MaxPreps’ rankings. Keep an eye on their core four which features 6’4 sophomore Alex Lloyd, 6’7 freshman Alex Constanza, 6’6 sophomore Dwayne Wimbley Dwayne Wimbley 6'6" | SG Dillard | 2025 State #175 Nation FL and 6’8 senior Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL all averaging double figures. On the other side, the Oldsmar Christian Eagles have played a jam-packed schedule this season as part of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) conference. Keep an eye on their senior guard duo between Evansville commit Braylon Jackson Braylon Jackson 6'5" Oldsmar Christian | 2023 FL and Cristian Sanon who are both 6’5 athletic guards, who can also handle the wing position.
Barron Collier vs Cardinal Mooney- Saturday at 1:00pm: The Barron Collier Cougars (16-4) have been one of the hottest teams in the SWFL area over the last couple of weeks, coming into the Wally Keller Classic on a 7-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6’4 senior guard Bryce Clayton Bryce Clayton 6'3" | CG Barron Collier | 2023 State FL who is leading the team, averaging 17.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’5 senior guard Noah French Noah French 6'4" | SG Barron Collier | 2023 State FL who is averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Cardinal Mooney Cougars will look to get back on the winning track, as they’ve dropped two straight games. Keep an eye on 6’4 junior forward Kevin O’Donoghue Kevin O’Donoghue 6'5" | SG Cardinal Mooney | 2024 State FL who is averaging a team best 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’3 junior guard Connor Heald who is averaging 12.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this season for the Cougars.
Providence (Jacksonville) vs St. Petersburg- Saturday at 1:40pm: The No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A Providence Stallions have a potential star in the making in 6’7 junior forward Jaylen Robinson Jaylen Robinson 6'6" | SF DME Academy | 2024 State FL , alongside 6’6 junior guard Chris Arias who is committed to Jacksonville University. On the other side, the St. Petersburg Green Devils have the best two-way prospect in the Tampa Bay area in 6’5 senior guard Tristan Gross Tristan Gross 6'4" | CG St. Pete | 2023 State #194 Nation FL who has been on a tear this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 5’10 senior guard Marquis Curry Jr. who can score and facilitate at all three phases.
Fort Pierce Central vs First Baptist Academy- Saturday at 2:40pm: The Fort Pierce Central Cobras are rolling at the right time and have one of the state’s best three point shooters in 6’2 sophomore guard Christopher Maxon Christopher Maxon 6'2" | CG Fort Pierce Central | 2025 State FL who is a 48 percent shooter from beyond the arc this season. On the other side, the First Baptist Academy Lions have one of the top guards in the SWFL area in 6’4 senior Yohandry Ortiz Yohandry Ortiz 6'5" | SF First Baptist Academy | 2023 FL . Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’3 senior combo guard Latrell Davis Latrell Davis 6'3" | CG First Baptist Academy | 2023 State FL in this matchup.
Sagemont vs Winter Haven- Saturday at 3:20pm: The Sagemont Lions (17-3) are the No. 2 ranked team in Class 2A, according to the latest MaxPreps’ rankings and had their modest four-game winning streak snapped in their 74-55 loss to Lake Worth in their last game. Keep an eye on 6’7 senior forward Tynan Becker Tynan Becker 6'7" | SF Sagemont | 2023 State FL in this matchup, who is averaging 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season for the Lions. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’1 senior guard Ashton Smith Ashton Smith 6'2" | PG Sagemont | 2023 State FL who is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Winter Haven Blue Devils (15-4) are the No. 3 ranked team in Class 7A, according to MaxPreps have a three-star trio between 6’9 senior forward Dylan James Dylan James 6'8" | SF The Rock | 2023 State #48 Nation FL (Georgia commit), 6’6 junior forward Isaac Celiscar Isaac Celiscar 6'6" | SG Winter Haven | 2024 State #263 Nation FL and 6’0 senior guard Kjei Parker Kjei Parker 6'1" | CG Bartow | 2023 State FL (Florida A&M commit). The Blue Devils will look to get back in the win column, after losing 84-77 to Mater Lakes Academy in their last game.
Miami Southridge vs Bartow- Saturday at 4:20pm: The Southridge Spartans (14-5) will look to snap a modest 2-game losing streak as they are led by 2nd year head coach Robert Doctor. Keep an eye on 6’6 senior guard Koree Cotton Koree Cotton 6'4" | SF Souhtridge | 2023 State FL (VMI signee) who is averaging 21.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Spartans. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’1 senior guard Anthony Dozier who is averaging 11.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. On the other side, the Bartow Yellow Jackets (11-8) are on a modest 2-game winning streak and have been led by 6’0 sophomore guard Lawrence “EJ” Horton who has been averaging 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season. Also keep an eye on 6’3 junior forward Jayson Williams who is averaging 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.
Tampa Catholic vs Orlando Christian Prep- Saturday at 5:00pm: The Tampa Catholic Crusaders (10-8) are coming off a 68-65 win over Oak Ridge which featured a game-winner by 6’6 junior guard Karter Knox Karter Knox 6'6" | SG Tampa Catholic | 2024 #6 Nation GA . The Crusaders now face another test as they take on the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, the Orlando Christian Prep Warriors (16-1) who have been led by 6’4 junior guard Isaiah Brown Isaiah Brown 6'5" | SG Orlando Christian Prep | 2024 State #177 Nation FL and 6’0 junior Ameer Ramadan Ameer Ramadan 6'0" | PG Orlando Christian Prep | 2024 State FL .
North Port vs Gateway (Fort Myers)- Saturday at 6:00pm: The North Port Bobcats (11-9) are led by 1st year head coach Bruce Wallace and come into the Wally Keller Classic on a two-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6’7 junior forward Elijah Lubsey Elijah Lubsey 6'7" | PF North Port | 2024 State FL who is averaging 17.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Another name to keep an eye on will be 5’10 senior guard Jordan Howell who is averaging 10.2 points per game this season for the Bobcats. On the other side, the Gateway Eagles (11-4) come into the Wally Keller Classic on a four-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6’3 junior wing Tavian Cook Tavian Cook 6'3" | CG Gateway | 2024 FL and 6’2 sophomore guard Quran Pettyjohn Jr. in this matchup for the Eagles.
Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL) vs Columbus (Miami)- Saturday at 6:40pm: We have a battle between two No. 1 ranked teams in their respective states. The Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones make their way to the Sunshine State from Springfield, Illinois. Keep an eye on 6’4 senior guard Jake Hamilton Jake Hamilton 6'3" | SG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL who is averaging 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’6 senior forward Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL who is averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Columbus Explorers are led by their three-headed trio between 6’5 sophomore guard Cayden Boozer Cayden Boozer 6'5" | PG Columbus | 2025 State #28 Nation FL , 6’8 junior forward Malik Abdullahi and 6’10 sophomore power forward Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer 6'9" | PF Columbus | 2025 State #2 Nation FL .
Evangelical Christian vs Lemon Bay- Saturday at 7:40pm: The Evangelical Christian Sentinels (6-13) will look to start a winning streak as they picked up a 60-29 win over Southwest Florida Christian in their last game back on January 17. Keep an eye on 6’0 sophomore guard Gavin Williams Gavin Williams 6'0" | CG Bishop Verot | 2025 FL who is averaging a team high 23.9 points per game this season. On the other side, the Lemon Bay Manta Rays (12-6) will look to sweep the head-to-head season series as they defeated the Sentinels’ 57-49 back on January 3. Keep an eye on 6’0 junior guard Lucas Newcomb in this matchup for the Manta Rays.
Port Charlotte at Charlotte (Punta Gorda)- Saturday at 8:20pm: A rivalry will be on hands as the 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic wraps up with a cross-town matchup between the Port Charlotte Pirates and the Charlotte Fightin’ Tarpons. Keep an eye on 6’4 freshman combo guard Dallas Lambert Dallas Lambert 6'4" | SF Port Charlotte | 2026 State FL , alongside 6’0 sophomore combo guard Kaden Suber Kaden Suber 5'10" | CG Port Charlotte | 2025 FL and 5’10 sophomore guard Jah Chin Jah Chin 5'10" | PG Port Charlotte | 2025 FL . On the other side, keep an eye on 6’6 senior forward John Gamble John Gamble 6'6" Charlotte | 2023 FL who is averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Tarpons. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’4 junior guard Chris Cornish who is averaging 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season.