Lakeland Christmas Shootout Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 Teams and Players to watch at this week's Lakeland Christmas Shootout. Happy Holidays, thanks for your support and viewership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starts on Wednesday and ends on Friday&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland (2-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1055775' first='Derajah' last='Hardy'] (2024) Shanard Clower (2025) Tre Jackson (2025) Jayren Dennis (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host of the Christmas tournament, the Lakeland Dreadnaughts looks to make noise this winter after winning consecutive state championship football titles. Those in the Polk area know that when the football season concludes the basketball roster will look a bit different. Coach Taylor has a few key returners and a big-time transfer for a run at consecutive district titles. Lakeland has its first matchup against Gulf (3-7) on Wednesday. Gulf is led by junior guard Avery Coffin who is averaging 11.6 PPG. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Plant City (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>Gavin Tinsley (2025), Leroy Lucas (2024), [player_tooltip player_id='1293296' first='Michael' last='Bell'] (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders have kicked off the winter season undefeated with junior prospect Gavin Tinsley leading the way with 13.0 PPG. PC will take on a struggling bunch in Bayshore Christian to start the Christmas tournament. Bayshore is led by senior combo guard Jace Jreisat who is averaging a smith 20.8 PPG. He could make the game interesting but Plant City could be a problem this week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Port St. Lucie (12-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055737' first='Ryan' last='Rodriguez'] (2024) Makhari Chambliss (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excited to get eyes on the Jags who have kicked off the season with an eight-game winning streak. PSL will head down to Lakeland for a round-one matchup with Jones (4-7) who is off to a shaky start and could have a tough go against this hot Jaguar squad. Eager to see how Rodriguez and Chambliss perform throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Region (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners:</strong> Dwayne Lattimore (2024), Brenton Allen McKinney (2024), Jodner Izenady (2024)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Region had one of the best records in the county under Coach Simmons last season and is looking to get back to and finish strong in the playoffs this season. The Thunder have a tough first-round game against Cornerstone Charter Academy (7-3) on Wednesday. The team has some help with a couple of football players such as B.J McKinney joining the roster and boosting production output.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:17px">More Round One Matchups&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sebring (5-4) vs. Christ's Church Academy (Jacksonville) (2-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haines City (2-6) vs Viera (6-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->