January Area Scouting: South Florida (Week 2)

<p>Another week, another look at prospects across the South Florida area. Holiday tournaments and individual games make for a busy month in January. </p> <p>Let’s take a look at my observations...</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814928" first="Kamren" last="Ramsarran"]</strong> - <em>Westminster Academy</em></p> <p>The flow of Westminster Academy improves when [player_tooltip player_id="814928" first="Kamren" last="Ramsarran"] plays better. The 6-foot point guard scored eight of his ten points (my book) in the second half, helping the Lions jump out to a 13-point advantage over <strong>North Broward</strong> Prep after three quarters. Ramsarran attacked the rim for a pair of buckets and hit a corner 3-pointer during the run. He doesn’t need to be <strong>Isaiah Thomas</strong> out there, as Westminster Academy has a talented roster around him with 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="814903" first="Ben" last="Middlebrooks"] and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="546221" first="Aidan" last="Abell"]</strong>. Ramsarran should play sound as the Lions primary ball handler, yet aggressive when given the opportunity to attack the rim. I understand him needing time to build chemistry with his new team, but I am pushing him to step up.</p> <p><strong>Ben Daniels</strong> - <em>North Broward Prep  </em></p> <p>Daniels was a huge spark for the Eagles when North Broward Prep fell behind in the second half. The 6-foot guard scored nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc. I thought Daniels did a good job of stretching the Lions out and making them respect his 3-point shot. Against <strong>Oxbridge Academy</strong>, Daniels scored another nine points on 3-of-5 from deep. He seems to be finding a groove in the Eagles rotation.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814903" first="Ben" last="Middlebrooks"]</strong> - <em>Westminster Academy</em></p> <p>Middlebrooks is going to get a double-double against most opponents. The 6-foot-10 power forward scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds by my account. What I was impressed with was his ability to run the floor in transition. Along with Abell, I thought Middlebrooks was lethal in this area of the matchup. In addition, he has a great jab step as he begins to attack the basket. Furthermore, you cannot afford to give him multiple opportunities at the rim. There is a reason why programs such as <strong>Auburn</strong> and <strong>Florida</strong> are after him. Middlebrooks has the size and athleticism to cause fits for opponents on the floor.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818653" first="MK" last="Ashmore"]</strong> - <em>North Broward Prep</em></p> <p>Ashmore was another reason why this game was in the balance halfway through the fourth quarter. I thought the 6-foot-6 forward found a spot in the belly of the Lions zone and took advantage. Ashmore finished with a team-high 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1060261" first="Guilherme" last="Tesch"]</strong> provided additional offensive help with 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. The Eagles were without 2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="712115" first="Justin" last="Abson"]</strong>, who had a boot on his leg. He should be back in the Eagles lineup by the end of the week.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="714859" first="Micah" last="Octave"]</strong> <em>- Olympic Heights</em></p> <p>2021 [player_tooltip player_id="714859" first="Micah" last="Octave"] has the Lions off to a 6-0 start. The 6-foot-4 combo guard is averaging 22.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 steals per game for Olympic Heights. Octave has active hands to cause turnovers and length to block shots around the rim. On the offensive end, he can finish in transition or score around the basket with his big guard size. Please take a look at his mid-season highlight tape by clicking and scrolling <a href="https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/430411/Varsity-Boys-Basketball">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818777" first="Reggie" last="Luis"]</strong> - <em>Columbus</em></p> <p>You can say 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="818777" first="Reggie" last="Luis"] has been playing pretty well for the Explorers. The 6-foot-5 guard has combined for 121 points and 40 rebounds over his last four games. Columbus is 4-0 during that stretch and 8-5 overall. Against <strong>Southwest</strong>, Luis exploded for 41 points on 13-of-17 from the field. He holds an offer from <strong>Northeastern</strong> and is one of the best players across Miami-Dade County.</p> <p><strong>Lucas Ortiz</strong> - <em>Ransom Everglades</em></p> <p>The Raiders are 12-3, with Ortiz being a big reason why. The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging a team-best 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and three steals per game. Ortiz has been consistent for most of the season, scoring 15 or more points in ten of 15 games. Moreover, his shooting efficiency has been above 50 percent in 11 games. His activity (45 steals) on the defensive end shows his effort on both ends of the floor.</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>