Santa Fe Catholic Shootout Preview: Program and Prospect Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With offseason play heating up and teams beginning to reshape their identities heading into next season, the Santa Fe Catholic Shootout should give an early look at some of the more intriguing programs in the area. Prep Hoops will be in attendance this weekend as it has potential to be one of the more competitive team summer events around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartow Yellow Jackets | Class 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartow enters the summer with expectations still high after another strong year that ended at 24-6 with a district championship. The Yellow Jackets continue to be one of the most reliable and disciplined programs in Polk County, but this offseason feels more centered around the growth of their young core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2804162' first='Derwyn' last='Link'] </strong>and G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2527379' first='James' last='Ratteree'] </strong>headline the group once again and both should attract plenty of attention Saturday. Link continues to trend upward as a polished scorer who can create at multiple levels, while Ratteree brings toughness, pace, and winning traits every time he steps on the floor. Bartow also has depth developing behind them, giving this program another chance to remain near the top of the county conversation. Expect the Yellow Jackets to compete hard defensively and continue leaning on guard play and execution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Victory Christian Storm | Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victory Christian is coming off another major postseason run after advancing all the way to the state championship game. Even with key seniors graduating, the Storm still bring one of the more competitive and experienced cultures around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2810621' first='Christian' last='Fuller'] </strong>returns as one of the leaders of the program after a breakout season as a dependable two-way piece. His ability to score, defend, and play with composure makes him a key name to monitor this offseason. 2027 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125502' first='Miles' last='Morrell']</strong> remains one of the better perimeter shooters in the area and continues to grow into a bigger offensive role. The Storm may look different this season, but the expectation of competing at a high level hasn't changed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Santa Fe Catholic Hawks | Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Santa Fe Catholic once again proved why it remains one of the more respected basketball programs in the region after reaching the state semifinals last season. The Hawks lost leadership and production with the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='2884444' first='Toby' last='Lane'], but this summer should give an early glimpse into the next wave stepping forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2827196' first='Shannon' last='McArthur']</strong> remains one of the tougher and more physical frontcourt players attending the event. He impacts winning through rebounding, toughness, and effort plays that don't always show up in the box score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3557212' first='Urijah' last='Newkirk'] </strong>should also continue taking on a bigger scoring role offensively as the Hawks adjust to new responsibilities. Santa Fe's structure, toughness, and discipline should once again make them difficult to beat this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakeland Dreadnaughts | Class 6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeland may be one of the more interesting teams to track entering the offseason after finishing 19-8 with a young roster that gained valuable experience throughout the year. The Dreadnaughts showed flashes late in the season and now return several pieces capable of taking another jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2767801' first='Armani' last='Morris'] </strong>continues to generate buzz after a strong freshman campaign where his athleticism, confidence, and defensive energy consistently stood out. 2028 G <strong>Tyson McElhaney</strong> gives Lakeland another reliable backcourt piece with his quickness, toughness, and ability to create offensively. 2028 G <strong>Corey Swanson </strong>adds size and activity in the frontcourt while continuing to develop his overall offensive game. Lakeland looks like a program that could make noticeable strides with another offseason together, and this event should be a strong early measuring stick for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wildwood (23-6) | Rural</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wildwood continued to establish itself as one of the tougher programs in the Rural classification last season, putting together a 23-win campaign and making a deep run to the regional finals. The Wildcats played with toughness, experience, and confidence throughout the year, consistently finding ways to win close games against quality competition. Even after a strong season, the expectation around the program feels even higher heading into the offseason slate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the bigger long-term names to know is 2028 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2297073' first='Tico' last='Smith']</strong>, who continues to generate attention as one of the better young prospects in the area. 2028 F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3552065' first='Demarius' last='Knight'] </strong>brings energy and versatility, while <strong>Trevonte Cousizan</strong> projects as one of those glue-guy pieces every competitive team needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Windermere (15-14) | Class 7A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Windermere may have finished just over .500 last season, but this is still a dangerous group that battled through one of the tougher schedules around and reached the regional semifinals in 7A play. The Wolverines showed flashes throughout the year and now enter the offseason with several intriguing young pieces ready for bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3557120' first='Bryce' last='Hoffert'] </strong>looks poised for a strong offseason after continuing to trend upward this spring. The versatile wing impacts the game with size, toughness, and improving shot-making ability. 2028 G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3551821' first='Kaiden' last='King']</strong> showed real promise as a freshman, nearly averaging double figures while gaining valuable varsity experience. 2027 G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125482' first='Gustavo' last='Roca'] </strong>also returns as a steady backcourt piece who brings composure and decision-making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bell Creek Academy (11-15) | Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell Creek had a challenging season by their standards, but the Panthers quietly return a solid young core that could make them an interesting team to monitor moving forward. Despite the record, there were flashes throughout the year from multiple underclassmen who gained meaningful varsity reps and should benefit from that experience this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 G <strong>Derrick Muse</strong> returns after leading the team in scoring and giving the Panthers a dependable offensive option. Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2978816' first='Jaylan' last='Johnson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3044039' first='Baran' last='Barnes'] </strong>will both have larger opportunities and should play key roles in the program's development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->