Team Preview: Sagemont

<p>Throughout this month, I will he highlighting selected teams across South Florida. This article takes me to The Sagemont School in <strong>Weston</strong>. The Lions went 11-11 last season under head coach David Roe. 2021’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953077" first="Raphael" last="Houssou"]</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953074" first="Sergey" last="Grishaev"],</strong> M<strong>ilos Kovacevic</strong>, and 2022 <strong>Rickey</strong> <strong>Ballard</strong> (<em>Westminster Academy</em>) are key departures.</p> <p>Let’s look into the program...</p> <p>The strength of the Lions is in their backcourt. 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="963317" first="Ashton" last="Smith"]</strong> is a tough transfer point guard from <strong>Hallandale</strong>. He has a good handle and plenty of playmaking ability to lead this offense. Smith is quick and should have no problem getting to his spot on the floor. 2023 combo guard <strong>Cameron</strong> <strong>Gibson</strong> is a versatile piece with instant scoring ability. Gibson is strong and should provide Sagemont with multiple looks.</p> <p>2022 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1161407" first="Adrian" last="Cruz"]</strong> is another transfer from <strong>Miami Southwest</strong>. The 6-foot-3 guard is a prospect I’ve mentioned in the past because of his production. Cruz is strong with good vision on the floor. His frame allows him to grab rebounds at a high rate while his awareness picks up multiple assists. That is why Cruz can be a double-double guard in this offense. 2024 <strong>Ryan Eddy</strong> should take the next step in his development this season.</p> <p>2022 <strong>Nedas Zukuaskaus</strong> and 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1055744" first="Dominic" last="Issa"]</strong> are two players that should excel in the frontcourt. Zukuaskaus is 6-foot-9 and can stretch the floor like a guard. I like his ability to pick and pop behind the 3-point line. Issa is very efficient around the rim and a strong rebounder. The 6-foot-6 Issa led Sagemont in boards a season ago.</p> <p>6-foot-7 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962452" first="Tynan" last="Becker"]</strong> is a big watch here. Becker should be a mismatch problem with his size and athleticism. Look for him to run the floor in transition and control the glass. Becker is dangerous from the 3-point line as well. He should be very hard to defend and execute on both ends.</p> <p>Sagemont should make a deep run into February. I really like the players they brought in and the development of prospects like Issa. The Lions are usually tough to beat and I’d expect that to continue.</p> <p><em><strong>For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong></em> </p>