Hoop Exchange Fall Festival: Saturday Notebook

<p>On Saturday, I made the trip over to Tavares to take in the 2020 Hoop Exchange Fall Festival.</p> <p>There was a ton of talent in the gym and I started my day by watching one of the top matchups you’ll see anywhere between IMG National and Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian.</p> <p>Here is a look at the top performers from Saturday team by team.</p> <p>Note: matchups included in the paragraphs below list the one game I saw each team play.</p> <p><strong>IMG National</strong></p> <p>Playing without two of its top players in the 2022 class, [player_tooltip player_id="787609" first="Jaden" last="Bradley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="546189" first="Jarace" last="Walker"], IMG held off a scrappy and athletic Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian group. It was Texas commit, 2021 6-4 guard <strong>Tamar Bates</strong> that led the charge for IMG. His energy was contagious and he was finishing early and often. Bates had big buckets time and time again...2021 6-10 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="527386" first="Moussa" last="Diabate"]</strong> was a terror defensively blocking shots and being vocal as ever. His finishes were impressive to…2022 6-7 guard/wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="712290" first="Eric" last="Dailey Jr."]</strong> shot the ball really well and continues to mature as a core piece and a surefire athlete for this deep group.</p> <p><strong>Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian (KT Kings)</strong></p> <p>It was a great effort from Calvary Christian against nationally ranked IMG. I thought that 2023 6-5 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709228" first="Carl" last="Cherenfant"]</strong> was the best player on the floor for his side. He was tough and shot the ball at a high clip. He hit some key jumpers as he escaped defenders with various quick moves with the ball…2022 6-4 guard <strong>Tyler Hendricks</strong> held his own as a lead ballhandler and was tough as nails. He was trusted to do plenty to run this offense and he stretched the floor with his jumper…2023 6-4 guard [player_tooltip player_id="709215" first="Marvel" last="Allen"] plays light years ahead of his age and his transition push and attacking were strong.</p> <p><strong>Oak Ridge (Orlando Rebels)</strong></p> <p>2021 6-5 pair <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="548985" first="Jalen" last="Smith"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714770" first="Michael" last="James"]</strong> committed to SMU and Louisville earlier this month and they sure looked focused on just hooping. Smith was the best player on the floor in the win over Riviera Prep (Shahbaz Elite). The long athlete is more than a gifted 3-point shooter as he was getting to the basket routinely and finishing in crafty ways…James was feeding off Smith’s tenacity and got to the bucket as well with attacks and mid-range shots. This is one of the best senior duos in the state.</p> <p><strong>West Oaks</strong></p> <p>It was impossible not to hear West Oaks when it hit the floor with the fans in the stands at this one. I had a chance to see the matchup against Dwyer (Riviera Beach Chargers). 2021 6-6 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="773411" first="Wesley" last="Cardet Jr"].</strong> simply played hard and his team followed. He was at the free throw line time and time again as a built lead guard…2023 6-9 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709220" first="Ryan" last="Bewley"] </strong>was the lone twin in uniform as his brother Matt sat out. Bewley made it look easy as he towered for dunks, boards and lay-ins…2021 6-3 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714786" first="Jameon" last="Harris"]</strong> is truly developing a knack as a control guard and offensive settler. He did plenty of that in the win over Dwyer.</p> <p><strong>Lee (Mixon Town)</strong></p> <p>Watching Lee it is clear that this group is very in sync. 2021 guard [player_tooltip player_id="714983" first="Tarence" last="Guinyard"] wasn’t with the team but 2021 6-8 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714771" first="Alex" last="Fudge"]</strong> held it down for this speedy group against Forest (Team Trees). The wing who released his Top 10 list this past week is simply a versatile jack of all trades. Offensively, he can handle the rock, blast through defenders, hit jumpers and score inside. Defensively, he is a shot blocker and floor stopper…2021 5-8 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953496" first="Teron" last="Haywood"]</strong> did his part as a finesse finisher and absolute blazer at the point guard spot. He is a fun player who deserves to get more college looks immediately.</p> <p><strong>Windermere (X-Men)</strong></p> <p>Windermere is one of the top squads in the state hands down. They proved that against The Villages (Stampeders). The guard play with 2021 duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714790" first="Kanye" last="Jones"]</strong> (College of Charleston commit) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818648" first="Trey" last="Moss"]</strong> (USF commit) is tough to defend. Jones, a 6-4 guard is a dynamic shooter and gifted finisher…Moss, a 6-3 guard makes it look easy as the man leading the charge and his vision passing…2023 6-8 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709255" first="Sean" last="Stewart"]</strong> continues to be a nightmare cover in transition and at the point of attack…2022 6-3 guard/forward <strong>Miles Hall</strong> is an intriguing piece for this offense as he constantly is moving and finding openings.</p> <p><strong>East Lake (Team 100 Tampa)</strong></p> <p>A state semifinalist a season ago, East Lake has all the tools to be one of the top teams in Pinellas County yet again. 2021 6-4 guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714843" first="Anthony" last="Bittar"]</strong> is a natural replacing Murray State freshman Dionte Bostick as the man running the offense. Bittar is a skilled ballhandler with nice speed, athleticism and finishing ability. He was aggressive and not settling for jumpers against Downey Christian…2021 6-4 guard/wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818666" first="Dean" last="Gabrelcik"]</strong> continues his breakout summer as his handles have improved and his outside touch is one of the best of anyone his class...2021 6-0 guard [player_tooltip player_id="818720" first="Mikey" last="Shane"] is a talented outside shooter who fits right into this quick ball movement offense. He was hitting his open looks.</p> <p><strong>Riviera Prep (Shahbaz Elite)</strong></p> <p>2023 6-7 forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="709232" first="Osmar" last="Garcia Araujo"]</strong> has been a starter the past two seasons at Riviera Prep which includes his 8^th grade year. He was powerful in the paint, a hard cover with his mix of smooth feet and ballhandling skills against Oak Ridge. Garcia Araujo is continuing to work on his body and add more muscle which will only further his stock...2022 5-9 guard [player_tooltip player_id="814913" first="Esteban" last="Lluberes"] is crazy fast. He didn’t finish all his jumpers, but his handles, speed and ability to get everyone involved helps his offense a ton.</p> <p><strong>The Villages (Stampeders)</strong></p> <p>With former The Villages star Tre Mann, a current UF standout and his high school teammate Terry Ivery (Stetson guard) in attendance, his former team looked much different. Windermere didn’t take it easy on The Villages but there was a bright spot for this group as 2022 6-4 guard/forward <strong>Gian Ortega-Rolon</strong> shot the ball well and with confidence. He is a junior to keep a close eye on this fall.</p>