Team Preview: Dwyer

<p>Throughout this month, I will be highlighting selected teams across South Florida. Today, my focus is on <strong>Palm Beach Gardens</strong> Dwyer. The Panthers went 14-4 last season under head coach <strong>Fred Ross</strong>. Dwyer lost to <strong>Dr.</strong> <strong>Phillips</strong> in the Class 7A title game. 2021 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="818768" first="Roderick" last="Johnson"]</strong> Jr. (13.2 ppg) and <strong>Trevon</strong> <strong>Taylor</strong> are key departures. Johnson was an all-county player and will be tough to replace.</p> <p>The Panthers are led by three talented players in 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="962569" first="Kyle" last="McNeal"], 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1161408" first="Juwan" last="Dawes"], and 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="829457" first="Xavier" last="Scott"] Jr. Each combined for 29 points, ten rebounds, and nearly four steals per game. McNeal has high-level athleticism and plays above the rim. He is also a great football player with an offer from <strong>Florida Atlantic</strong>. The 6-foot-4 Dawes is an excellent wing in transition and grab rebounds. Scott Jr. can do a bit of everything and has great vision in the halfcourt. They will be evermore important with the loss of Johnson Jr.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1065460" first="DJ" last="Jones"] is a 6-foot-5 wing/forward that averaged 4.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He is the top man on the glass with Johnson Jr. departing. Jones’ offensive game has more road and he could be a major contributor. He could be an X-factor on this team. </p> <p>2023’s Blake Wilson (5.2 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="1164271" first="Frenelson" last="Atlius"] (3.6 ppg), and Marcus Upshaw (3.6 ppg) round out contributions. Dwyer has some depth with player development. I think the core behind the top three will be key.</p> <p>Dwyer should be in familiar territory back in Lakeland. Very few teams have the athleticism they bring up in Palm Beach County. That alone makes them a top group in the area. The Panthers could be back in familiar territory as a strong team in Class 7A. Watch out for them.</p> <p> <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></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>