Summer Shootout Day 1 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week I got a chance to check out some local SWFL talent and see some of the emerging prospects from around the area. Here are 5 players that had stand out performances from day 1 of the Summer Shootout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christopher “Dru” Davis, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'3” | Guard | Gateway High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christopher is stepping into a bigger role this season with the departure of Tavian Cook. Dru showed solid skills in his recent game, knocking down three three-pointers and consistently finding ways to get to the basket. He proved to be a spark for his team, grabbing crucial rebounds and facilitating the transition game. As Gateway looks for new leaders on the court, Dru is poised to contribute significantly and fill the gap left by the graduating seniors. Excited to see how his season unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>Branden Baptiste, 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'0” | Guard | Lely High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branden Baptiste, a 6'0” guard from Lely High School, is poised to take on a central role for his team. In the game I watched, Branden drained four three-pointers and displayed a polished midrange game. His aggressive defense set the tone on that end of the court, making him a key player for Lely. With his ability to score from multiple spots and his tenacity on defense, Branden looks to be Lely's go-to guy this season. It will be exciting to follow his progress as he continues to develop his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Morris, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'8” | Forward | Evangelical Christian School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>David Morris, a 6'8” forward from Evangelical Christian School, continues to serve as the team's primary paint protector. In the post, David works well with both his left and right hand, showing improved finishing skills. He's also a solid rebounder, and his game appears more evolved compared to last season as he continues to get physically stronger.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1915975' first='George' last='Childs'], 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6'0” | Guard | Community School of Naples</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1915975' first='George' last='Childs'], a 6'0” guard from Community School of Naples, stood out as a reliable shooter in the games I observed. In those games, he served as the primary scorer for his team, showcasing his ability to bring the ball down in transition multiple times. George plays with toughness, diving for loose balls and boxing out effectively. His coachable nature and high basketball IQ are evident in his performance. [player_tooltip player_id='1915975' first='George' last='Childs'] looks poised for a promising season ahead at Community School of Naples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> Zack Louzao, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> 6'1” | Guard | Oasis High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zack Louzao, a 6'1” guard from Oasis High School, possesses a high skill set that makes him a standout player. Having trained with Zack, I see his potential to be a vital piece of Oasis High School's success this season. Zack is a capable shooter, both spot-up and off the dribble, and adept at finishing with both hands. He's improving defensively, leads the team in rebounds, and brings a great attitude and coachability to the court. Watch for Zack Louzao to shine at Oasis High School this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qj8A_1K2jFJGsQOxn32TLPEpN60Gepyg/view?usp=share_link"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qj8A_1K2jFJGsQOxn32TLPEpN60Gepyg/view?usp=share_link </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->