Top Trios of SWFL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwest Florida has some very talented teams across the area this season. A number of local programs have had great starts and are looking to continue their success throughout the regular season, and hopefully deep into postseason play. Three of these teams came right out of the gate looking exceptionally strong, and each are lead by their own trio of prospects. Let's take a closer look at these Big-3's of SWFL and how they've led their squads to successful starts in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cypress Lake Panthers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers are off to a 5-2 start thanks to the trio of juniors they have leading the way. Each have been key in the team's early season success and are actually still learning and adjusting to each others games. Two of their Big-3 transferred in last season, and the final piece of their trio is new to the program this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1988096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Easley, who transferred in from Minnesota this year, has taken over the PG duties and looks to lead this squad in a number of ways.  The 6'1u0022 PG does a little bit everything for the Panthers, he is averaging 17.1 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.9 rpg, and 3.6 spg.  As you can see he is a tremendous 2-way player who gets it done on both ends of the court.  He has exceptional handles and great floor vision, making him a true floor general.  He is a fast guard who plays under control and knocks down the 3-ball at a very high rate.  Easley has multiple 20 point games this season, with a season-high of 27 points and 7 assists in a win over Riverdale.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1579909"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The 6'1 CG, like Easley, came to the Panthers via Minnesota.  Ochan transferred to Cypress Lake before the 2022-23 season and immediately made a name for himself.  He is an athletic guard who has a quick first step and likes to attack the basket.  Ochan is another swiss-army knife for the Panthers, where he's averaging 16.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.3 apg, and 2.4 spg so far this season.  He's an above average rebounder from the guard position and is active on defense, jumping the passing lanes and getting out in transition,  Ochan's best game this year was a 28 point, 5 rebound, and 3 steal performance in a win against North Fort Myers.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Jayden Jones","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Cypress Lake","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Jones played his freshman year at North Fort Myers and transferred to Cypress Lake befor his sophomore campaign.  He is a strong, physical player who rebounds the ball exceptionally well on both ends of the floor and is able to guard any position.  He is an athletic wing who plays well in transition, and likes get out and run and play above the rim.  Jones is quick off the floor and can finish with contact down low.  The 6'6u0022 forward is averaging 9.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.6 bpg, and 1.7 apg.  Keep an eye on Jones as he is still developing parts of his game, and look for his stock to rise as he is a crucial piece to the Panthers success in 2023-24.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657b5bf64adc0"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Verot Vikings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Verot is off to a tremendous start after a disappointing season in 2022-23. This revamped Vikings squad started strong, posting a record of 4-1 early into the season. Thanks to a number of transfers Verot is looking like one of the top teams in the area, and of those transfers is their own Big-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2300466' first='Gavin' last='Williams']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bishop Verot","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Williams, the area's top scorer from a year ago, transferred from ECS to Verot in the offseason.  The 6'1' CG can score in bunches and plays the game fast but under control.  He's quick off the dribble and can get to the hoop or stop on a dime and knock down the mid-range jumper.  He shoots the 3-ball at a high rate and has knack for getting to the free-throw line where he's very efficient.  So far this season Williams has scored 20+ points in 4 out of 5 games and is averaging 22.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, and 1.6 spg.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1163621"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the transfers from Canterbury, Roker, is one of the most complete players in the area.  The Ohio State football commit has already amassed 1,000 pts in his career and looks to add to that total with his new squad.  Roker is a strong, quick guard who rebounds the ball well and plays tremendous defense.  He has a knack for getting steals and forcing turnovers, creating offense from defense.  Offensively, he has great vision and can beat you inside or out.  The 6'1u0022 CG posted a triple-double earlier this season in a win verses Out-of-Door Academy with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.  The standout football player is getting it done on the court too, averaging 15.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 4.5 apg, and 4 spg.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1301712"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another Canterbury transfer, Ashley, is settling into his new home quite well.  The 6'7u0022 forward is nearly averaging a double-double with 14.2 ppg and 9.4 rbg, to go along with 1.8 bpg.  Ashley is a long, athletic prospect who is great at altering and blocking shots, and is an above-average rebounder on both ends of the court.  He likes to play above the rim, but also has a really nice touch on his outside game for a guy his size.  Ashley's best game so far this year came in a victory against The Imagine School, where he finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657b732853048"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barron Collier Cougars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barron Collier lost a number of players due to graduation last year, but this young Cougars squad has picked right up with the program's winning ways, starting 2023-24 with a 5-2 record. Solid guard play has always been a strength of the Cougars and is no different this year with their starting back court. Along with a great pair of guards, they've got a senior in the middle who's really improved his game, creating Barron Collier's own Big-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2276460"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Clayton has a tremendous basketball IQ and just plays the game right.  He's a true leader on the court and has great court vision, always looking to get his teammates involved.  The 6'2u0022 junior handles the ball well and likes to attack the basket, but where he's deadly from is outside.  He has a very strong mid-range game and unlimited range, where he can knock down the 3-ball from about anywhere on the court.  Clayton is averaging 14.7 ppg, 7 apg, 4.5 rpg, and 2.8 spg, with his season-high being a 22 point outing in a win against Lely.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1329774"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The transfer from Tennessee, Degnan, has made himself right at home in the Cougar's backcourt.  The 6'2u0022 CG is a strong, physical player who is able to guard multiple positions and also be an asset on the boards for his Barron Collier squad.  Defensively, he is an in your face type of guy who likes to pressure you and force turnovers.  Degnan, in a win over The Village School of Naples, had 10 steals to go along with his season-high 22 points.  The junior prospect is averaging 15.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, and 3 spg so far this season with his new team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Gabe Markhart","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Barron Collier","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 6'7u0022 senior controls the middle for his Barron Collier squad.  Defensively, he's a presence in the paint, with his shot-altering and shot-blocking ability and rebounds the ball very well.  Offensively, he positions himself well on the court and plays great in the pick 'n roll.  He's efficient down low with both hands but also has nice mid-range game to keep the defense honest.  Markhart is a perfect compliment to the Cougar's strong guard play.  He's averaging 12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, and 2.8 spg on the year, with his best outing being and 18 point, 10 rebound performance in a victory against Golden Gate.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657b7aea24234"} /-->