Team Preview: Bradenton Christian Panthers
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The Prep Hoops staff is taking a closer look inside the elite Florida high school basketball programs, as they gear up for the 2023-2024 season. Our next team feature is the Bradenton Christian Panthers who return a great duo backcourt…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops staff is taking a closer look inside the elite Florida high school basketball programs, as they gear up for the 2023-2024 season. Our next team feature is the Bradenton Christian Panthers who return a great duo backcourt featuring Jaden Baker Jaden Baker 6'0" | CG Bradenton Christian | 2024 State FL and Ty Townsend.
Head Coach: Scott Townsend, 15th Season
Class: 3A
2022-2023 Record: 18-9
Key Returners: Jaden Baker Jaden Baker 6’0″ | CG Bradenton Christian | 2024 State FL 6-0 PG (2024). Baker is the ultimate engine for this Bradenton Christian squad this upcoming season as makes plays happen from anywhere on the floor. He displays a great feel and high IQ for the game where he gets his teammates involved. Baker is also a perennial threat to score from the perimeter as he shot 39 percent from beyond the arc last season. On the defensive end, he has lateral quickness to guard multiple positions and is an above average rebounder for his size.
Highlights
Key Returners: Ty Townsend 6-1 CG (2024). Townsend is a smooth combo guard with great ball-handling skills and is a pass-first guard averaging six assists per game as a junior last season. He also defends at a high level using his versatility to guard against the perimeter as well as the interior. He is one of the top 3-point shooters in the senior class and is a very underrated scorer at the front of the rim.
Highlights
Landon Dempsey
Landon Dempsey
Sleeper Prospect: Landon Dempsey 6-0 SG (2024). Dempsey has one of the smoothest jump shots you will find as he can knock down shots from all three levels. Dempsey is also an above average defender whether it’s on the ball or off the ball he shows great lateral movement and can use his length to contest shots. Dempsey averaged six points and nearly five rebounds per game as a junior last season.
Jayden Burnett
Jayden Burnett
Sleeper Prospect: Jayden Burnett 6-3 SF (2026). Burnett is a tough and physical two-way player who does his best work when finishing around the rim. He has a strong knack for his athleticism on both ends of the floor as he is a perennial shot blocker as well as a solid rebounder. Burnett does a great job at finishing put-backs or as a lob threat on the offensive end, while he has versatility and length to guard multiple positions on the defensive end.
Syrus Pentecost
Syrus Pentecost
Sleeper Prospect: Syrus Pentecost 6-3 PF (2024). Pentecost is on the verge of having a breakout sophomore season as he progressed over the summer with his strength and versatility. Pentecost is a solid rim protector where he doesn’t allow many second chance scoring opportunities for the opposition. On the offensive end, Pentecost is a traditional back-to-the-basket player who does most of his work in the paint. He shot 55 percent from the field as a junior last season.