Early Season Standouts SWFL – Second Five
We are three weeks into the Florida High School Basketball Season and we’ve had some great matchups and tremendous games to begin the year. We’ve seen a lot of talented players take the court and produce at a high-level here…
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Continue ReadingWe are three weeks into the Florida High School Basketball Season and we’ve had some great matchups and tremendous games to begin the year. We’ve seen a lot of talented players take the court and produce at a high-level here in SWFL. Let’s now dive into the final part of series and highlight five more standout prospects from the area and how they’ve produced on the court early in 2023-24.
Austin Arringdale-Klein
Austin Arringdale-Klein
The 6’5″ senior has had a tremendous start to the 2023-24 season, helping lead his Seahawks team to a record of 5-1. Arringdale-Klein is averaging 16.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg, along with shooting 60% from the field. He has also been efficient from behind the arc where he has knocked down a total of twelve 3-pointers in six games. He scored a season-high 24 pts in a victory over North Fort Myers and looks to be Cape Coral’s go to guy this year. Arringdale-Klein is a long, athletic prospect who has a smooth jumper, with a high-release and soft touch. He has a great knowledge of the game and is an above-average rebounder. Keep an eye on him as he continues to develop his game and build of his early season success.
Ben Cassano
Ben Cassano
Cassano is a 6’5″ guard with a ton of talent. He is a tremendous 3-point shooter, where he connected on 71 three’s last season. This year he has added to his skillset, where he has become much more efficient in his mid-range game, and has been more aggressive attacking the basket, making him a true 3-level scorer. He is currently shooting 60% from the floor and 40% from behind the arc. He has multiple 20 point games and scored a career-high 40 pts in a win over Marco Academy, which is the second most points in a game in school history. Cassano has a high basketball IQ, great size, and a lot of upside and should be a prospect on every coaches radar.
Lee Eckman
Lee Eckman
Eckman has been the one constant for Estero so far this season. The Wildcats have been banged up early in 2023-24 but Eckman has seized the opportunity and is off to an excellent start. The 6′ CG is averaging 17.2 ppg and has done a little bit of everything for his team. He went on a run where he connected on five 3’s in three straight games, and has shot 23-58 from behind the arc this year. He is a strong bodied guard who can defend multiple positions and is also an asset on the boards. Eckman is a 2-way player every coach would love to have on his team, and is prospect to continue to monitor with his early season success and team first mentality.
Sam Powell
Sam Powell
The 6’3″ CG continues to impress in his first season with the Titans. This prospect stepped right off the football field and onto the basketball court where he excels at both. Powell is off to an amazing start averaging 19.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg, and has connected on a total of 24 three’s so far this year. He’s been very consistent early on this season, posting 28 pts with six 3’s in a game, followed by a performance of 25 pts with five 3’s. Powell has proved he can knock down the 3-ball consistently, but he is also a strong, athletic guard who can finish at the rim with contact. Keep an eye on this prospect as he continues to do a little bit of everything for Golden Gate and see his stock rise.
Kionus Walters
Kionus Walters
Walters is a quick, athletic guard who likes to wreck havoc on defense. He will guard you for 94 ft. and be in your face for the entire possession. He is not just a defender though, Walters can fill the stat sheet offensively. The 5’11” PG nearly recorded a triple-double in a win against Lely with 10 pts, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also had a 17 pt, 6 assist outing in a victory over Riverdale, along with a season-high 23 pts and 6 steals in a win over East Lee. Walters and his aggressive play on both ends off the court has helped lead his Lehigh squad to a record of 4-1. The junior prospect is one to follow with his high intensity and leave it all on the floor mentality.