Palm Beach Best Bets: Part 1

<p>Heading up the Florida Turnpike, I would like to continue my "best bet" selections with the fantastic prospects we have in Palm Beach County.  As I have mentioned, this is not necessarily a list of players who I believe will finish on the top line. Going with the theme, this correlation projects guys who are good "bets" to end up on a high postseason superlative. </p> <p>Let’s take a look at our neighbors up north...</p> <p><strong>George Hyland</strong> - <em>American Heritage (Delray)</em></p> <p>Selected in the honorable mention category by the Palm Beach Post, Hyland is a good bet to make a team selection as a senior. The 2021 shooting guard averaged 15.0 points and 3.4 rebounds for American Heritage. Moreover, Hyland scored in double-figures in 20 of the Stallions 23 games. Defenses learned last season of his deadly shooting as he hit 80 3-pointers. His shot making ability alone pushes him up the nomination fold. It is hard to imagine a player who averages around 20 points per game as a senior not making a high team list.</p> <p><strong>Jovonte Allen</strong> - <em>Trinity Christian Academy (Lake Worth)</em></p> <p>The Warriors have a talented base of players and Allen is one of them. The 2021 forward averaged 15.1 points and 9.7 rebounds last season for Trinity Christian Academy. Allen is also a sneaky good passer as he posted ten games with five or more assists. Over the last 13 games of the season, Allen grabbed ten or more rebounds in ten contests. Against <strong>Morningside Academy</strong>, Allen smashed his opponent for 34 points and 15 rebounds. Anymore questions? Allen won’t be an honorable mention selection as as senior.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818768" first="Roderick" last="Johnson"] Jr.</strong> - <em>Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens)</em></p> <p>I am a big believer in rewarding team success and Johnson Jr. is a prime example. The 6-foot-4 wing helped the Panthers to a 23-5 season, including a district championship over <strong>Treasure Coast</strong>. Moreover, Dwyer was in virtually every one of its losses. Johnson Jr. was a big reason for that as he averaged 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Against power <strong>Westminster Academy</strong>, Johnson Jr. scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. A senior season with emphasis of finishing the job in the state tournament should have Johnson Jr. on a high post-season nomination.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818694" first="Chris" last="Walker"]</strong> - <em>Wellington</em></p> <p>It seems unfathomable Walker was an honorable mention as a junior. How do you guard a 6-foot-6 kid for four quarters? Walker averaged 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season as the Wolverines won 21 games. With a significant "departure", Walker should have the green light for a big season. Walker can create his own shot with his athleticism or body down smaller players with his physique. Wellington has a deadly shooting guard with D-1 offers starting to fly in.</p> <p><strong>Malik JeanLouis</strong> - <em>Boca Raton Christian</em></p> <p>2021 JeanLouis was a huge bright spot for a Blazer team that finished 7-18. The 6-foot-1 guard/forward averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds across 25 games. Against <strong>Glades Day</strong>, JeanLouis scored a season-high 28 points on 12-of-16 from the field. Of those 25 games, JeanLouis finished in double figures in 20 of them. Teams also need to be wary of his defensive capabilities as he recorded over 60 steals. The senior will hope to back up his stats with more wins this season;</p> <p><strong><em>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>