Polk Hoops Recap and Player Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's almost time for me to get back to the hardwood while providing daily updates with players to watch and notable standouts making noise in their respective positions and classes! For this week, Polk County teams tipped off with a few preseason games that saw some noteworthy performances in the area. Let's break down a few teams and highlight some of the top prospects of the last couple of weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Christian Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201109' first='Diamant' last='Blazi'] | SG/SF | 2024 | JCP | @diamant_blazi</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2201109' first='Diamant' last='Blazi'] </strong>could develop into one of the top true sleeper prospects in the state with a chance to pop onto the national radar. This kid is a 6'8 high flyer playing the shooting guard position who is a violent finisher on the fast break and can stretch the floor with solid shooting. In two preseason games, he's recorded 15 points with 6 rebounds in a win vs. Wildwood and 10 points in a blowout win over Montverde Academy. Look for him to find his footing and have a breakout season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Danilo Stankovic | SF | 2024 | JCP | @_Stankovic_D</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The potential talented duo member to go along with Blazi and his production output is 2024 <strong>Danilo Stankovic </strong>who totaled 12 points with 8 rebounds and 3 steals in JCP's win over Wildwood. The 6'7 Wing/Forward prospect capitalizes on steals with dunks and easy layups and also has a good shooting ability, combined with the toughness and consistent effort to get it done on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Illich Yacaman | G | 2024 | JCP | @HighlightsVlady</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Have been really impressed with the progression since the off-season and <strong>Ilich Yacaman</strong> is starting to put it all together for JCP. He shined in a big-time win over Montverde Academy with 10 points and followed that performance with 14 points and 5 assists in a win against Wildwood. JCP has some premier talent with a few ballers to solidify the roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McKeel Academy&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We knew heading into the season that 2024 G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055781' first='Alex' last='Sessoms'] </strong>would be a problem and he's already starting to fill the stat sheet. This kid is going to produce at the next level and make a college program better. He's a solid guard prosecutor who can handle the rock, run the offense while limiting turnovers while being the primary scorer for his offense. He dropped 21 points with 5 assists and 4 rebounds in the Wildcats' win over Lake Wales. Look for him to be in the run for another Player of the Year award.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217891' first='Axel' last='Acevedo'] | F | 2025 | McKeel | @axelacevedo310</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Acevedo </strong>is a pure<strong> </strong>Paint beast who dominates the boards and runs the floor well. He is on my radar for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Frostproof</strong> <strong>Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578326' first='Sevastian' last='Rosado'] | G | 2024 | Frostproof | @vashh_1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier scorers in the Polk area the last few years has made the move over to Frostproof where he will be the primary scoring threat for the Bulldogs' offense. <strong>Rosado</strong> dropped a 38 ball in an 85-30 blowout win over Desoto where he flashed his vertical athleticism and deep bag he uses to fill up the stat sheet. If he can get in and produce for his team, no doubt some college interest will come with it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sebring</strong> <strong>Blue Streaks&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The man with the plan so far for Sebring has been <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2046259' first='KJ' last='Turner'] </strong>who recorded 16 points in game one and then 25 points against Lake Placid. He also gets it done in other categories as he racked up 6 reb, 4 steals, and 8 assists to go with the performance. He's a 6'1 combo guard who will add to the offense production along with a couple of other ballers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Slyvester Lewis | F | 2024 | Sebring | @sylvesterlewis0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12 points - A 6'9 paint beast who is looking to have a stellar season for college interest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Allen | G | 2025 | Sebring | @Dav1drh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15 points vs. Lake Placid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Gregory | SF | 2024 |&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 points, 3 steals, 4 assists vs. Lake Placid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Discovery</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second highest scoring output on the list is 2025 point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620358' first='Darius' last='Livingston'] Jr. </strong>who dropped a smooth 36 points with 8 rebounds and 3 assists in a win over Excel. He's a pure bucket that has been on the All-County list because of his solid sophomore season. Big-time year for Livingston to create buzz around his recruitment while showing off his upside for the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2197805' first='Willie' last='Wilson'] | G | 2024 | Discovery | @WWilson3_6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lucson Jean | G | 2024 | Discovery | @begreatluey&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>20 points 3 rebounds 3 steals vs. Excel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>George Jenkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player Standouts in a win over Lake Wales</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Harold | G | 2024 | GJ | @MaddoxLee52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior floor general for the Eagles dropped 20 points in a win against Lake Wales to start the season. GJ lost its first real game of the regular season but expect similar outputs from <strong>Maddox Harold.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to Watch:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Smothers | F | 2024 | GJ | @msmothers25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 points 9 rebounds - A 6'4 scoring threat who has the potential to be the star for GJ in both ends of the floor this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Santa Fe Hawks&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe picks up the big win vs Eustis 70-41. This big three will be on the map this season once the chemistry comes together. We've already noted the talents and upside of 2024 G s[player_tooltip player_id='1450225' first='Tate' last='Darner']. He has a few pieces to get it done this season with head coach Mike Blicher.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Player Standouts:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1450225' first='Tate' last='Darner'] | G | 2025 | Santa Fe | @TateDarner_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>23 points (5/9 from 3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295941' first='Hudson' last='Dykhuizen'] | F | 2024 | Santa Fe | @HudsonDykhuizen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15 points 8 rebounds 3 steals 1 charge&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1450214' first='Malikai' last='Broffitt'] | CG | 2025 | Santa Fe | @_malikaii</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13 points 7 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->