Holiday Hoops Fest: Notable Scoring Threats

Holiday Hoops are here and Prep Hoops will be tuned into the many tournaments happening around the state! We have previewed the Kingdom of the Sun tournament <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/12/kingdom-of-the-sun-teams-and-players-to-watch-pt-1/">here</a> and the Mainland Christmas Shootout <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/12/mainland-christmas-shootout-teams-and-players-to-watch/">here</a>, and will now provide a recap with Player Standouts from this week's Lakeland Christmas Holiday Hoops Fest. Happy Holidays, thanks for your support and viewership.   Lakeland (5-1)   *Won 1st place (Defeated: Gulf, Tampa Bay Tech, & Viera)   Shanard Clower | G | 2025 | Lakeland | @shanardclower1   “Scoot” earned the tournament MVP award for his multiple-day performances where he contributed on both sides of the ball. This kid is a flat-out athlete who plays both football and basketball. A nimble guard with all the energy needed to bounce around the court, tipping passes, being a hound on defense, and making things happen on offense with speed and vision.    Tre Jackson | G | 2025 | Lakeland | @TreJackson03   Jackson is a BALL PLAYER. The Dreadnaughts are known for bringing over football stars to the hardwood but Jackson is a true Hooper. My TOP scoring threat in the tournament. This kid was hitting pull-up threes - pull-up mid-range jumpers - finishes at the rim - moves his feet on defense. He did it all, really impressive performance and he's moved up on my radar.    Jayren Dennis | F | 2024 | Lakeland | @_JayrenDennis_   A lengthy wide receiver prospect has smooth moves in the paint which he showed off to earn his name on the list. Hard to deal with someone at the Prep Level with a 6-6 frame and athletic bounce to go with it. Add in some strength and finesse with the rock, you get a decent forward prospect. Dennis crashed the boards well and finished some flashy plays near the rim.    Jones (6-8)   *Won 1st place in their bracket (Bounced back after losing the first game to Port St. Lucie with a win over them in the championship game.)   [player_tooltip player_id='1457199' first='Keishaun' last='Robinson'] | F | 2024 | Jones   Robinson was impressive because he reminds me of how undersized guard/forward prospects can be physical enough to dominate near the paint. He helped Jones take home the 1st place trophy amid a shaky start to the season. He's a name to know. Can shoot the rock, plays good defense, and is a vocal leader.   [player_tooltip player_id='1301750' first='Jaquail' last='Smith'] | G | 2025 | Jones | @Thereal4nyquil   Another physical and talented football player who can get it done on the basketball court. Didn't watch much of their last game but was impressed with his ability to handle the rock and get to the rim. The defensive effort was noteworthy as well.   Plant City (11-1)   *Won 3rd place    Gavin Tinsley | F | 2025 | Plant City | @GavinTinsley_   This kid HAS to be one of the top underrated hoopers in Polk. Finally got eyes on him and man he's true to size. Someone has to get ahold of this kid because he's Division 1 material that's getting slept on. Has all the physical tools college coaches want in a player. My second Top Scoring Threat of the tournament because of his ability to simply dominate in the paint. He had 19 points to help PC take home third place.    Leroy Lucas | G | 2024 | Plant City | @Herbeezy   Lucas is a speedy floor general guard who can direct his teammates on offense but also score when needed with his solid jumper and layup package around the rim. Lucas is an electric senior guard with time to pick up some NAIA college interest this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1293296' first='Michael' last='Bell'] | G | 2024 | Plant City | @itzmichaelbell   We've had some football players on the list and Bell will add to it as he gave me Big Guars vibes with his frame and physical approach to the game. He has a good three-jumper and can take the rock all the way finishing with his size.   Port St. Lucie (14-2)   Took home second place in their bracket    [player_tooltip player_id='1055737' first='Ryan' last='Rodriguez'] | G | 2024 | Port St. Lucie | @ryanrodd_   Everyone in the gym had eyes on Rodriguez before he even took to the court because of his known scoring output. He's averaging nearly 30.0 PPG this season and I can see why. He has the obvious long frame for a guard at this level but his understanding of how to get to the foul line was next level. He was for sure in my Top 3 scoring threats of the weekend and I left impressed with his ceiling for the next level.   Tampa Bay Tech (7-6)   A young TBT squad took home fourth place    [player_tooltip player_id='2396992' first='Neomar' last='Flores'] | G | 2027 | TBT    Man TBT has two young hoopers in Flores and Scoot Donald that will make an impact on this team for years to come. I marked him down as the shooter in Game One but he's not afraid to put it on the floor. Flores hit step-back threes and showed off his dribbling skills and overall upside for a young guard.    Ayden Donald | G | 2027 | TBT | @SkootDonald   Like Flores, Donald is a young guard with plenty of time to add weight and work on his game. He's the leader at the top of the key for TBT and showed off his nice backboard floater. For those in the Tampa area, write this kid's name and circle it because he will develop into a problem. Already averaging 16.6 PPG.

Holiday Hoops are here and Prep Hoops will be tuned into the many tournaments happening around the state! We have previewed the Kingdom of the Sun tournament here and the Mainland Christmas Shootout here, and will now provide a recap with Player Standouts from this week's Lakeland Christmas Holiday Hoops Fest. Happy Holidays, thanks for your support and viewership.