SWFL Standouts: Juniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With only a few teams left competing in regionals in Southwest Florida, the class of 2027 now only has 1 season left of competing in high school basketball. Today we will examine 5 talents who showed out this 2025-26 basketball season and who forecast to have even better senior years!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2894779"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994ca797b47b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The First Baptist Lions secured a huge midseason boost with the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='2894779' first='Brock' last='Bass-Bonner'] to their squad. By way of Cardinal-Ritter (MO), Brock has introduced himself in the world of SWFL basketball, with continued outstanding performances. At 6'8, Bonner has elite size and agility capable of playing as both a wing or a guard. To complement his frame, Brock also has superb athleticism, continually making highlight plays at the rim both offensively and defensively. However, Bass-Bonner is not just a slasher, utilizing a high set point southpaw jumper that finds success both off the catch and bounce, making him a true three-level scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Judah Lopez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Palmetto Ridge ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994ca797b541"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For the second year in a row, Judah Lopez was a major force propelling the Palmetto Ridge Bears to earn another district title. Lopez was superb all season long for the Bears, manning the middle and providing safety for a team that plays pesky on-ball defense. This season also saw Lopez take a step up offensively, increasing his offensive averages to 14.3 points/game with a complementary 1.7 assists/game. It is here, whether it be off post touches or off offensive rebounds, where Judah does not look to force, instead making the right basketball play, finding shooters or recycling the ball to get a better look. A great asset and mindset for modern-day bigs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Mikah Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_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":"First Baptist Academy-Naples","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994ca797b5da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Across SWFL, there are few players, if any, that possess the leadership qualities of Mikah Taylor. On the floor, Taylor is an extension of his head coach, controlling the game and communicating on both ends of the floor while also holding his teammates accountable. Offensively, Taylor's smooth jumpshot and patient pace of play make him a dangerous scoring threat for opposing defenses. In tandem, his great court vision and IQ make him a superb passer, finding shooters and rollers with precise passes vs man and zone defenses. While Mikah's counting stats may not be otherworldly, his contributions and play deserve all the praise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Tim Thurman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lehigh Senior High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"SWFL Hoops","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994ca797b669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tim Thurman's junior season was stellar and one that should serve as a great stepping stone for an even better senior year. Thurman was everywhere for his squad, contributing a near double-double (13 pts and 9.5 rebs/game) on a nightly basis for the Lightning. At 6'8, with a towering wingspan, Thurman patrolled the paint for his squad, rejecting shots at an extremely high level. Thurman particularly excels in the role of a roamer, providing coverage on drives at the rim or making opposing guards decide against a drive entirely. With a roster filled with fellow juniors look out for Thurman and his Lightning teammates to have another strong season next year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Johnny Cernuska","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oasis High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6994ca797b6f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you watched the Oasis Sharks this season, much of your focus may have gone towards junior big man Johnny Cernuska. Cernuska was simply everywhere for the Sharks, securing rebounds, making tough shots around the rim and making astute plays on defensive side of the ball. At 6'5, with great athleticism, Johnny makes highlight blocks seem almost routine in nature. While also utilizing this quick twitch on the offensive end to catch dunks of the dribble, lobs out of the dunkers spot or even off lobs in transition. With a great motor and solid ball skills, Cernuska is one of SWFL's best bigs and a player to watch out for heading into next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->