Postseason 2024: SWFL Players to Watch, First Five
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We have closed out the 2023-24 regular season, and look forward to postseason play which tips-off this week. Every team starts fresh with a record of 0-0 and with a win or go home attitude anything can happen throughout these…
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Continue ReadingWe have closed out the 2023-24 regular season, and look forward to postseason play which tips-off this week. Every team starts fresh with a record of 0-0 and with a win or go home attitude anything can happen throughout these playoffs. A number of SWFL teams would like to build on their successful regular season campaign, and make a deep run into the postseason. Let’s take a close look at some prospects who have excelled on the court and hope to lead their teams through the postseason, in hopes of cutting down the nets.
Lubsey is a dominate player who can completely take a game over. The 6’8″ PF has been a force all year where he is averaging 20.7 ppg and 10.5 rpg, and has recorded 10 double-doubles on the season. He notched his 1,000 career point earlier this year, and is the go-to guy for his Bobcats squad. In his last 2 games he scored 31 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Venice, and prior to that he finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds, including 5 threes, in a win against rival Port Charlotte. If North Port looks to make a run this postseason, it will have to be on the back of their senior leader, Lubsey.
Justin Gollopp
Justin Gollopp
Gollopp is a do-everything guy for Lehigh and has a tremendous feel for the game. The 6’2″ CG plays the game fast, but in control, and is a great transition player where he likes to turn defense into offense and get out and run. He does a little bit of everything for the Lightning, where he can score from all 3-levels, shows great court vision, and is an excellent rebounder for his size on both ends of the court. Gollopp has the ability to flirt with triple-double numbers night in and night out, and will be a key factor for Lehigh in their hopes of postseason success and a district championship.
Calven Charles
Calven Charles
The Bear’s postseason success will fall heavy on the shoulders of their super athletic, senior leader. Charles has been amazing for Palmetto Ridge throughout the year and hopes to keep his hot play going well into the playoffs. The 6’4″ CG has been on a tear to closeout the regular season, where he finished with 6-straight double-doubles, including a 34 point, 17 rebound performance in a win over East Lee on Senior Night. He is averaging 17.7 ppg and 8.2 rpg leading his team to 20-3 record and the #1 seed in their district. Look for Charles to be the catalyst for the bears and lead them on a postseason run in 2024.
The 6’4″ senior is one of the most athletic players in the area, not too mention one of the most hardworking. If Cornish isn’t putting up shots or fine tuning his skills on the court, you can find him in the gym trying to become a stronger more all-around player. Cornish is a tremendous rebounder on both ends of the floor, and likes to push the ball and get out and run in transition. He’s a great two-way player who excels using his speed and athleticism, and you better slow him down, because if not he is extremely difficult to stop. Both Cornish and his teammates hope to a make push deep into the postseason, after facing one of the toughest regular season schedules in the area.
Clayton has a tremendous knowledge of the game and is one of the best all-around guards in the area. He brings solid size and strength from the guard position, to go along with great handles and a smooth shot from outside, making him extremely difficult to defend. He has a quick first step and can beat you off the dribble, or pull-up and knock down the mid-range jumper in your face, but where he is deadly is from behind the arc, where he shoots the 3-ball at an extremely high rate. He’s averaging 17.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, and 4.4 rpg, as you can see he does it all for his Cougars squad, and looks to help lead his team in the playoffs and continue the programs postseason success here in 2024.