Polk Hoops Preview and Watch List Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time again folks! The hoop scene is back for high school student-athletes and Prep Hoops will continue delivering reliable and consistent player coverage for our readers. As we head into the fall season, let's get into Part 2 featuring some of the Best of the Rest teams in Polk County with players to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best of the Rest:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kathleen Red Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Andrae Shaw&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>8-16 (6A-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620359' first='Jeremy' last='Nixon'] (2025), [player_tooltip player_id='2306295' first='Isaiah' last='Medina'] (2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Devils had a down year last season but return two talented juniors who will lead the way. Both players are expected to average double-digit points this season while Medina will be an anchor and paint protector for the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Gibson Braves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Brendan Boatwright&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>7-17 (6A-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players: </strong>Joshua Henderson (2024), [player_tooltip player_id='2415594' first='Derrick' last='McBride'] (2026), Jaylen Evans (2024), Trey Rodman (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Braves are looking to bounce back from a down year with most of their production pieces coming back. They will add a couple of football players to the roster to bolster defensive prowess but it'll come down to scoring output for LG who averaged just 40 points per game last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Discovery Spartans&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Weedlens Beauvil</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>14-13 (4A-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2197805' first='Willie' last='Wilson'] (2024) Lucson Jean (2024) [player_tooltip player_id='1620358' first='Darius' last='Livingston'] (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have started the season 1-0 after a 36-point performance from [player_tooltip player_id='1620358' first='Darius' last='Livingston'] against George Jenkins on Monday. Look out for Livingston and Wilson to have productive seasons in the scoring column.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Auburndale Bloodhounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Eric Robinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>21-9 (5A-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players: </strong>Carter Cuff (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a rebuilding season for the Bloodhounds who lost a couple of seniors to the next level. Senior combo guard Carter Cuff will look to fulfill the leadership role and keep their head above water.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland Christian Vikings&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Diane Klages&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>12-10 (3A-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players:</strong> Porter Stiles (2024), Matthew Stephens (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out for LCS who returns two of their talented seniors that will lead the way for the Vikings on both sides of the ball. The Vikings look to get back into district championship contention following a round 2 exit last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Excel Christian Academy Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Elmo Stephens&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record:</strong> 13-15&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players: </strong>William Medina (2025), Dervonte Pierrelus (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans start 1-0 on the season with a close 70-66 win over a rebuilding Auburndale team on Monday. The team returns both its leading scorers in Medina and Pierrelus who will look to lead the team to a positive regular season record this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George Jenkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Kenny Davis&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record: </strong>11-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players:</strong> Maddox Harold (2024), Jaquan Cross (2024), Marcus Smothers (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My old high school looks to get back to its hooping ways under my former JV head coach Kenny Davis who has taken over for the legendary Marcus Ghent. The Eagles dropped their first matchup but will look to implement relentless defense to cause problems this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bottom Bunch:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haines City Hornets&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Jamorris Hill&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record:</strong> 11-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning Players: Emmanuel Taylor (2024), C Wright (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hornets will be under new head coach Jamorris Hill who will have an uphill battle to get Haines City back in the hoops scene.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge Bolts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Don Skipper&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Record:</strong> 10-14 (7A-9)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Players:</strong> Geoni Jordan (2024), Makai Truitt (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of senior production lost so it'll be interesting to see what the Bolts are able to put together this fall season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->