Regional Semifinal Standouts: Orlando Area

On Tuesday, Florida high school basketball was cut to eight remaining teams in each of the seven different classifications. These are a few of the players from the Orlando Area who stood out in each class: Class 7A Dr Phillips 47 Olympia 45 PG [player_tooltip player_id="546239" first="Denzel" last="Aberdeen"] 6-4 (2022), SG [player_tooltip player_id="829411" first="Riley" last="Kugel"] 6-5 (2022) Dr. Phillips With Olympia’s game plan to neutralize 2021 6-10 center [player_tooltip player_id="814902" first="Ernest" last="Udeh"], Dr. Phillips earned a major boost from it’s starting back court. Aberdeen opened up the game scoring nine points in the first quarter taking what the defense gave him. He was able to knock down a catch and shoot 3-pointer, scored on a drive right, connected on a midrange dribble pull-up and got out in transition for a score. The guard ultimately finished the game with 16 points. [player_tooltip player_id="829411" first="Riley" last="Kugel"] stepped up in a big way for the Panthers. Whenever Olympia looked like they were about to go on a run Kugel seemed to answer with a 3-pointer or a bucket of his own. At 6-5, Kugel has the size of a prototypical shooting guard at the next level and he has the athleticism to match. The wing knocked down three 3-pointers off the catch, hit a baseline mid-range jumper, and also scored on attacks to the basket to tie Aberdeen for a team high 16 points. Kugel is absolutely a player worth keeping an eye on this spring and summer and he already has offers from FAU, Middle Tennessee, Stetson, and UNF. Up next: Dr. Phillips will have to get past Seminole to get to Lakeland. PG Edgerrin James Jr. 6-1 (2023) Olympia As the old timers say “The mid-range is a lost art.” That could not be more far from the truth for Jizzle James. The star sophomore found holes in the Panthers 2-3 zone often and he went to work making plays for an Olympia team that struggled to put the ball in the basket. James had 11 of his game high 25 points in the third quarter and 12 of his 25 points came from the mid-range. Few players in the state have had as good of a sophomore season as the Olympia point guard as he posted numbers of 14.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 3.4 APG to go along with 2 steals on a 21-7 Olympia team. Oak Ridge 68 Windermere 58 G/F [player_tooltip player_id="714770" first="Michael" last="James"] 6-6 (2021), G [player_tooltip player_id="814920" first="Fabio" last="Basili"] 6-3 (2022) After being upset by Miramar in the state semifinal last year in Lakeland, a senior laden Oak Ridge team has one goal in mind: Winning a state championship. At halftime the Pioneers were down by eight points to Windermere and after a quick halftime pep talk Oak Ridge came alive. [player_tooltip player_id="714770" first="Michael" last="James"] who has drastically improved his all-around game this year scored 15 of his 20 total points after intermission. The Louisville commit has been averaging 21.2 PPG and 10.4 RPG through a schedule that is easily one of the toughest in Florida. When [player_tooltip player_id="814920" first="Fabio" last="Basili"] is focused and aggressive watch out. The junior point guard went off for 11 of his 19 points in the 3rd quarter to help Oak Ridge regain control of the game. When the Pioneers need a lift Basili has brought what they needed this season especially in the Beach Ball Classic against some of the country’s top teams. On the season Basili has averaged 11.3 PPG 5.3 APG while shooting 45 % from beyond the 3-Point line. Up next: Oak Ridge will play Riverview Sarasota for the second time in two years with a trip to Lakeland on the line. PG [player_tooltip player_id="818648" first="Trey" last="Moss"] 6-3 Windermere (2021) [player_tooltip player_id="818648" first="Trey" last="Moss"] ended his high school career with a 23-point performance. The Senior leader has started every single game since Windermere High opened its doors during his freshmen season. The future USF point guard has never missed a practice and has helped build the culture of Windermere High basketball. Seminole 72 Bartram Trail 49 F/C [player_tooltip player_id="1068741" first="Jonah" last="Pierce"] 6-7 Seminole (2021) With the highly regarded Henderson twins battling foul trouble most of the game, [player_tooltip player_id="1068741" first="Jonah" last="Pierce"] gave Seminole the lift that they needed. At 6-7 with great foot work and a nice touch Pierce was very impressive this season. The forward really understands the game, and is very patient in the post. On Tuesday, he put it all together and scored 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds against a Bartram Trail team whose best player is a 6-10 center who has committed to San Diego. Any college looking for a big man in their 2021 class would be wise to give Pierce a hard look as he is easily one of the Orlando areas top uncommitted big men. ….6-4 SG [player_tooltip player_id="814929" first="Uchenna" last="Kellman"]-Nicholes (2022) also had a strong showing with 11 points. 4A Lake Highland 65 Eustis 51 For the second year in a row Lake Highland Prep finds itself in the Class 4A-Region 2 Finals just one win shy of returning to Lakeland for the State Final Four. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="814925" first="Jared" last="Berry"] (19 points 5 assists) and big man [player_tooltip player_id="818742" first="Miles" last="Stewart"] (15 Points) each turned in solid performances but perhaps the difference maker was 5-11 Freshmen guard Kellan Grady who scored 15. The Highlanders will move on to play Santa Fe (Alachua) and 6-10 North Carolina State commit [player_tooltip player_id="714783" first="Ernest" last="Ross"] to keep their state championship dreams alive. 3A Trinity Prep 75 The First Academy 71 G/F [player_tooltip player_id="829459" first="Krishen" last="Atwal"] 6-5 Trinity Prep (2022) Atwal has looked the part of a future college player in the few times I have seen him play this season. On Tuesday, he furthered that belief as he scored 29 points knocking down five 3-pointers and grabbing 7 rebounds. At 6-5 with the fluidity to play on the perimeter and size to finish inside, Atwal can be a major mismatch problem for opponents. As we get further into state playoffs and into AAU season Atwal is certainly a name to remember. PG [player_tooltip player_id="598747" first="Javon" last="Bennett"] 5-9 Trinity Prep (2022) An undersized point guard, Bennett can fill it up quick. He uses his quickness to get into the lane and he throws the ball high off the glass to get the ball over the out stretched arms of shot blockers. He also has the ability to knock down the 3 Ball at an efficient rate as he made four on the night and finished the game with 28 points. …..6-1 SG [player_tooltip player_id="953076" first="Jalen" last="Coley"] (2021) is a glue guy who really gets after it defensively for Trinity. The senior posted a stat line of 10 points 7 rebounds and 5 assists. PG [player_tooltip player_id="1068612" first="Sean" last="Johnson"] 6-2(2021) ,G/F [player_tooltip player_id="818717" first="Jayden" last="Battle"] 6-4 (The First Academy) TFA was led by two seniors who have had a heavy impact on their program these last few years. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1068612" first="Sean" last="Johnson"] finished his high school career with a 28 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists performance. The senior leader will take his athletic talent to Nebraska-Kearney where he will play on the football team as a quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id="818717" first="Jayden" last="Battle"] finished the game with 18 points and four steals. The athletic wing is still looking for a home at the college level after being a standout the last two years for The First Academy. 2A Central Florida Christian 72 Mount Dora Christian 50 6-0 PG Nick Rodriguez (2022) led CFCA scoring with 17 points to go along with 4 assists. The Eagles also received strong performances from 6-10 Senior center Immanuel Zorgvol who scored 13 points grabbed 10 rebounds and 5-7 Freshmen Point Guard Ta’veon Jones scored 14 points and dished out six assists. Central Florida Christian Academy will play Thursday against perennial powerhouse Orlando Christian Prep in a game that may be the unofficial State Championship for class 2A. Orlando Christian Prep 67 City of Life Christian 38 As per usual Orlando Christian Prep is dominating their way through regional playoffs. 6-4 SG [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"] led the way for OCP scoring 17 points and grabbing five rebounds while 6-7 teammate [player_tooltip player_id="712105" first="Ven-Allen" last="Lubin"] had a double double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. 5-11 PG [player_tooltip player_id="818714" first="Joshua" last="Blazquez"] (2021) also had 11 points, four assists and five steals.