Metro Hoops Fest Notebook (Part 1)

<p>This past Monday through Wednesday, I made the drive out to Apopka for the Metro Hoops Fest. With so many of the Orlando area’s top teams, I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the 2020-2021 high school basketball season. Although the tournament was cut short due to Covid-19 issues, I was still able to get a good read on a lot of the areas top teams and talent.</p> <p>* Will denote games that I attended</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Dr. Phillips</p> <p>*80-37 W over Winter Park</p> <p>*83-70 W over Jones</p> <p>Standouts:</p> <p>CG [player_tooltip player_id="546239" first="Denzel" last="Aberdeen"] <strong> </strong>6-4 <strong> (</strong>2022)</p> <p>It appears that Aberdeen has grown at least two inches since the end of last season. In addition to growing in height his game seems to be evolving as well. In the first game against Winter Park, he delegated more to teammates connecting with [player_tooltip player_id="814902" first="Ernest" last="Udeh"] on a few alley-oop dunks, and was able to find cutting teammates for scoring opportunities. What really stood out however was the guard’s play in the second game in the tournament. Against a physical, scrappy Jones team that hung around for a majority of the game Aberdeen took matters into his own hands scoring a game high 34 points connecting on 13/14 free throws. An excellent 3-point shooter both off the catch, and off the dribble he impressed with his ability to attack the basket. The scorer used change of pace and direction well to get past his opponents.</p> <p>Aberdeen currently holds an offer from Stetson.</p> <p>C [player_tooltip player_id="814902" first="Ernest" last="Udeh"] <strong> </strong><strong> </strong>6-10<strong> </strong> (2022)</p> <p>Udeh continued to do what he does best. He runs the floor extremely well for 6-10, protects the basket, rebounds, and dunks. Through two games the big man averaged 8.5 PPG and just about every basket he made was a loud one. The long term potential for Udeh is off the charts and has been recognized by Florida, FGCU, FAU, Stetson and South Florida who have all extended scholarship offers.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="962385" first="Joseph" last="Poventud"] <strong> </strong>6-3<strong> </strong> (2023)</p> <p>Another player who has made tremendous strides during the off-season is Poventud. Last year as a freshman, he was a catch and shoot guy who could catch fire at anytime to sink multiple 3-pointers. While the sharpshooting continued in this tournament, the guard showed a more diverse skillset with better handles attacking the basket, making mid-range pull-ups, and facilitating for his teammates. The sophomore appears to be lighter on his feet, and has changed his body. On the tournament Poventud averaged 15 PPG and shot a high percentage.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="829411" first="Riley" last="Kugel"] 6-5 (2022)</p> <p>Transferring over from CFCA, Kugel had a strong showing in his first regular season games in a Dr. Phillips uniform. The junior showed the ability to score from all three levels and has great size and length on the perimeter. In perhaps the highlight of the tournament, Kugel finished an alley-oop dunk off a tip play in the first seconds of the Jones game.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="1055794" first="Jordan" last="Tillery"] (2024)</p> <p>With extreme confidence and a bit of an alpha mentality you would never be able to tell that Tillery is a freshman. While this season he may be waiting his turn for a more prominent role, the guard has seemed to embrace doing the little things to help his team win. The youngster has a nose for the basketball and doesn’t shy away from physical play or defense.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Windermere</p> <p>59-35 W over Wekiva*</p> <p>77-56 W over Edgewater*</p> <p>Standouts:</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="709255" first="Sean" last="Stewart"] 6-8 (2023)</p> <p>One of the more impressive things I saw out of Stewart in this tournament was his confidence handling the basketball. On multiple occasions he snatched a defensive rebound, and instead of finding a guard he dribbled the length of the court and scored the ball. Most 6-8 kids his age lack coordination after having grown so much in a short period of time. That is not the case with Stewart who showed off some advance footwork in the post, and even euro stepped a defender on the fast break. On the tournament the coveted sophomore forward averaged 16 PPG in addition to leading the Wolverines in rebounds and blocks. Stewart currently hold offers from Kansas, Texas A&amp;M, Florida, Maryland, Georgetown, Arizona State, Pitt, and South Florida.</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="818648" first="Trey" last="Moss"] 6-3 (2021)</p> <p>Moss started off his forth season on varsity with some impressive performances averaging 16.5 PPG. Known more for his ability to drive to the basket, and create for others, the fact that he knocked down three 3-pointers and shot a high percentage in each game is a good sign for Windermere. If his first two games are any indication of what’s to come, the South Florida signee is in for a big time senior season.</p> <p>SG [player_tooltip player_id="714790" first="Kanye" last="Jones"] 6-4 (2021)</p> <p>The College of Charleston commit started off his senior year averaging 17.5 PPG. The wing was at his best in the second game against Edgewater scoring 19 points in the first half knocking down 3-pointers, scoring on a back door cut, and scoring in transition.</p> <p>G [player_tooltip player_id="812622" first="Jalen" last="Debose"] 6-1 (2023)</p> <p>Debose is one of the most talented sophomores in the city. The combo guard averaged 11.5 PPG, played hard defense and was more than willing to do the little things to help his team win. At 6-1 he has good length for his height and I wouldn’t be surprised if he grows a few more inches before he graduates.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Apopka</p> <p>66-58 W over Ocoee*</p> <p>67-43 W over University</p> <p>Standout:</p> <p>PG [player_tooltip player_id="714918" first="John" last="Latimer III"] 6-1 (2021)</p> <p>In the best shape of his life, Latimer has the looks of a college basketball player. This season the four-year varsity starter will be counted on to carry Apopka as the team’s primary ball handler and scoring threat. In two wins, he averaged 22 PPG and flashed his dangerous midrange dribble pull up as well as knocking down 3-pointers and finishing at the rim. Defensively he anticipated well, getting into passing lanes leading to transition points. With offers from NJIT, Presbyterian, Holy Cross, and Rollins the standout guard will look to make his final season as a Blue Darter a memorable one</p>