Polk Hoops Recap and Player Standouts
In this article:
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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’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.
Jordan Christian Prep
Diamant Blazi Diamant Blazi 6'8" | PF Jordan Christian | 2024 State FL | SG/SF | 2024 | JCP | @diamant_blazi
Diamant Blazi Diamant Blazi 6'8" | PF Jordan Christian | 2024 State FL 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.
Danilo Stankovic | SF | 2024 | JCP | @_Stankovic_D
The potential talented duo member to go along with Blazi and his production output is 2024 Danilo Stankovic 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.
Illich Yacaman | G | 2024 | JCP | @HighlightsVlady
Have been really impressed with the progression since the off-season and Ilich Yacaman 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.
McKeel Academy
We knew heading into the season that 2024 G Alex Sessoms Alex Sessoms 6'1" | PG McKeel | 2024 FL 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.
Players to Watch:
Axel Acevedo Axel Acevedo 6'6" | PF Mckeel Academy | 2025 State FL | F | 2025 | McKeel | @axelacevedo310
Acevedo is a pure Paint beast who dominates the boards and runs the floor well. He is on my radar for a breakout season.
Frostproof Bulldogs
Sevastian Rosado | G | 2024 | Frostproof | @vashh_1
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. Rosado 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.
Sebring Blue Streaks
The man with the plan so far for Sebring has been KJ Turner KJ Turner 6'2" | PG Sebring H.S. | 2024 FL 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.
Players to Watch:
Slyvester Lewis | F | 2024 | Sebring | @sylvesterlewis0
12 points – A 6’9 paint beast who is looking to have a stellar season for college interest.
David Allen | G | 2025 | Sebring | @Dav1drh
15 points vs. Lake Placid
Jordan Gregory | SF | 2024 |
16 points, 3 steals, 4 assists vs. Lake Placid
Discovery
The second highest scoring output on the list is 2025 point guard Darius Livingston Darius Livingston 6'0" | PG Wekiva | 2025 State FL Jr. 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.
Players to Watch:
Willie Wilson Willie Wilson 6'3" | PG Discovery | 2024 State FL | G | 2024 | Discovery | @WWilson3_6
Lucson Jean | G | 2024 | Discovery | @begreatluey
20 points 3 rebounds 3 steals vs. Excel
George Jenkins
Player Standouts in a win over Lake Wales
Maddox Harold | G | 2024 | GJ | @MaddoxLee52
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 Maddox Harold.
Players to Watch:
Marcus Smothers | F | 2024 | GJ | @msmothers25
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.
Santa Fe Hawks
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 Tate Darner Tate Darner 6'0" | SG Santa Fe Catholic | 2025 State FL . He has a few pieces to get it done this season with head coach Mike Blicher.
Player Standouts:
Tate Darner Tate Darner 6'0" | SG Santa Fe Catholic | 2025 State FL | G | 2025 | Santa Fe | @TateDarner_
23 points (5/9 from 3)
Hudson Dykhuizen Hudson Dykhuizen 6'3" | PG Mckeel Academy Of Technology | 2024 State FL | F | 2024 | Santa Fe | @HudsonDykhuizen
15 points 8 rebounds 3 steals 1 charge
Malikai Broffitt Malikai Broffitt 6'4" | SG Kathleen | 2025 State FL | CG | 2025 | Santa Fe | @_malikaii
13 points 7 rebounds