OCP Shootout Standouts

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Showdown in O-Town pitted some of the public and private schools in Orlando against each other. We saw high major prospects turning in big performances, a group of underclassmen battle seniors, and state title favorites in a nightcap. Below are the players who stood out in a talented field.</p> <p><strong>Windermere</strong></p> <p>Duke’s latest 2023 signee [player_tooltip player_id="709255" first="Sean" last="Stewart"] used his athleticism to disrupt Trinity Prep’s interior offense. 5 first half blocks and two steals were his biggest impact, although Stewart scored in transition. In the second half, he showed his patented mid-post shot creation. Between his explosive athleticism, size at the combo forward spot, and passing, Stewart has earned his fifth star.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image4-1-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1371894" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image4-1-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1306090" first="Chalier" last="Torres"] used his first half minutes to open a lead Windermere wouldn’t relinquish. He’s scored all 8 points in the opening frame, hitting two threes and scoring on a putback. Torres is the team’s starting point guard and affected the rest of the game with ball movement.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/christian-nurse-gravesande/">Chris Nurse</a></strong> was on fire in O town Showdown opener. His 22 points were products of 4 of 7 shooting from three, putbacks, and drives to the hole. Nurse can score from several spots on the court while being a defender with 6’5 size.</p> <p><strong>Trinity Prep</strong></p> <p>At 6’7, [player_tooltip player_id="1060231" first="Joshua" last="Cooper"] is a great target rolling to the basket. The big was a consistent finisher and rebounder in this matchup. Cooper has the length to go along with his size and runs the floor.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="598747" first="Javon" last="Bennett"] outs ores the rest of the team with his 25 points. The Merrimack College signee is a speedster that can create on both sides of the ball. He’s a scrappy on ball defender and can break up plays in transition. On the offensive end, Bennet scored on all three levels hitting a pair of threes, floaters in the more range, and using his bursts to score at the rim. He gets downhill in a flash.</p> <p>Trinity Prep won’t be out of a speedy point guard with Javon graduating, thanks to sophomore Chance Bennett’s presence. You can see how his time as a quarterback helps his passing and court vision. While he was part of Trinity Prep’s offensive struggles, he hit a 3 and turn a strip steal into offense. His speed helped him collect a block in transition.</p> <p><strong>Oak Ridge</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image3-1-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1371895 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image3-1-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1167935" first="Elijah" last="Elliott"] was one of the best shooters in the building on Saturday. The sophomore hit 4 three pointers on 6 attempts. He showcased productive shot making by hitting shots off the catch, coming off screens, and hitting pull-up jumpers in the midrange.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="712111" first="Lewis" last="Jones"] is one of two unsigned seniors for Pioneers and he could be a defensive steal for someone. He had a first team all-defense performance holding the state’s leading scorer to 10 points. At 6’6 he has the strength and length to cover small-ball fours and perimeter players. As far as offense, he’s lower on the pecking order for one of the better teams in the state but scored on a shot from deep, a tip dunk, and drew a foul on a drive.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055776" first="Tyler" last="Johnson"] is a 6’5 sophomore that’s highly regarded in a loaded 2024 class thanks to his athleticism and how hard he plays. He had a hand in holding [player_tooltip player_id="712136" first="Brice" last="Sensabaugh"] way below his scoring average, matching his strength and affecting many of his jumpers. Johnson scored off a drive to the basket and an athletic putback. What he gave Oak Ridge as a strong athletic defender and rebounder were way more important than his offensive output.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="814920" first="Fabio" last="Basili"] is a pace pusher and even though he scored below his average, he did what he does best. Basili scored and made plays in transition, hit floaters, and hit a three in the half court. His athleticism popped up as he caught a block at the rim.</p> <p>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="1301787" first="Jalen" last="Reece"] didn’t have a loud game, but his 9 points came in big moments. He was 3 or 4 beyond the arc. Reece held his own against a backcourt sporting a Division 1 and Division 2 guard.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1163386" first="Tyler" last="Davis"] continues to be one of my favorite on ball defenders in the area. At 6’6 he can cover four positions at the high school levels but excels at locking up guards. He moves well laterally and has long arms that engulf ball handlers. As an offensive player, he finishes around the rim, runs the floor, and has a nose for making cuts for easy buckets.</p> <p><strong>Lake Highland Prep</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="829444" first="Jah" last="Quinones"] gives you a ton of size in the backcourt and it was obvious in this game. Between him being hard to stop downhill, his bully ball finishes around the rim, solid offensive rebounding, and putback artistry he produced like a big guard should.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="814925" first="Jared" last="Berry"] was the star of the show in this game. He made big plays all game abusing the opposing backcourt with his speed. He was active in passing lanes that turned into scores in transition. Berry’s ability to change speeds in the half court allowed him to get to the bucket and show off his ability to finish through contact.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image2-1-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1371896" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image2-1-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1055798" first="Julian" last="Clarke"]’s combination of speed and motor made for a productive first half. He hit a shot from deep, scored on a putback, and beat his man off the dribble for a layup. The top 40 ranked sophomore gives Lake highland a solid foundation for the future and an X factor for a deep playoff run.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="712136" first="Brice" last="Sensabaugh"] had his quietest game of the season with 10 points. He still managed to knock down two threes on high efficiency and get to the line for 5 of 6 shooting.</p> <p><strong>Winter Haven</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image1-2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1371897 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image1-2-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="814550" first="Dylan" last="James"] is shaping up to be a potent face up scorer. He hit shots on all three levels on his way to a 21 point double-double. James knocked down two catch and shoot threes, used a jab step to gain space for mid range jumpers, and finished above the rim with authority often. He continues to show off an advanced handle for someone his size. The 2023 prospect also drew fouls on the drive to get to the line 5 times. Defensively, he can cover every position in the high school game and projects as an effective rim protector.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055750" first="Isaac" last="Celiscar"] continues to produce with his high motor and growing skill set. He knocked down a three rebounds well for his position and turned offensive rebounds into putbacks. Celiscar plays with a high level of physicality to gain deep position in the paint and finish through contact.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055762" first="Jamie" last="Phillips"] Jr. didn’t play his best game due to foul trouble and rough shooting, but his passing left an impression. The 6’4 guard hit teammates in transition and threaded passes through tight windows.</p> <p><strong>Windermere Prep</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="956830" first="Jayden" last="Williams"] always performs in showcase games. The Dartmouth commit scored 23 points showing off a high major skill set. Williams knocked down shots beyond the arc, took the agile 6’8 [player_tooltip player_id="814550" first="Dylan" last="James"] off the dribble for layups, finished alley oops in transition, and made 7 appearances at the free throw line. I said it once and I’ll say it again: Williams will be one of the best freshmen in the Ivy League next season.</p> <p>Eduardo "Eddie" Placer got better as the game progressed. It was obvious from the jump Placer can get to the rim when he wants. By the second half, he was getting in the paint, finishing at the rim, hitting floaters, and kicking out to shooters. Defensively, he got to spots before the offense and collected two charges.</p> <p>Zachiah "ZZ" Clark is still a young guard, but he’s making strides. He has speed with the ball in his hands and uses it to get downhill. Clark has a tight handle and makes plays in transition.</p> <p><strong>Orlando Christian Prep</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"]’s athleticism and skill helped him lead his team in scoring. Between up and under finishes, step throughs, and finishes over length, Brown can get his shot off in the paint. He scored with the jumper hitting a baseline fadeaway and a three. The Ohio commit competes on defense matching up the explosive athlete [player_tooltip player_id="829411" first="Riley" last="Kugel"].</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="709236" first="Jayden" last="Hastings"] is still figuring things out, but his potential as a 6-10 rim runner is very obvious. He ran the floor hard in this one, scored on a putback, and slammed home a dunk from the short corner.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055785" first="Ameer" last="Ramadan"] has been a breath of fresh air this season. He’s taken over the starting point guard spot since freshman Mikel Brown’s injury. The sophomore stepped in the lineup and supplied The Warriors with shot making. Ramadan continues to be a multi-level pull up shooter that doesn’t turn the ball over.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image0-2-rotated.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1371898" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/image0-2-150x150.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1055774" first="Isaiah" last="Brown"] competed hard in this game against high level college players. His length and athleticism helped him hold his own defensively. He was aggressive getting to the basket, hit a three, and got to the line. Brown seems to be coming into his own as a two way player. </p> <p><strong>Dr. Phillips</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1055794" first="Jordan" last="Tillery"] has been impressing college coaches all season with his versatility and toughness. Tillery left this game early with an injury, but not before he canned a three, dunked off a roll to the basket, and finished through contact. The sophomore has great hands.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="814902" first="Ernest" last="Udeh"] Jr. was a force in this game on both ends. He rebounded at a high level, ran the floor, and finished above the rim. He caught several alley oops, including one where he jumped high enough to put his elbow in the rim. Udeh also showed that he’ll be able to make the high low pass Kansas uses in their offense with an assist from the elbow.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="829411" first="Riley" last="Kugel"]’s combination of deep three point shooting and athleticism make him a dangerous prospect. Add in that he’s dropping no look dimes on the break to show off his passing and it’s easy to say Mississippi State is getting a steal. His athletic pop resulted in a big time block and a poster attempt that left the crowd on their feet.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="546239" first="Denzel" last="Aberdeen"]’s three point shooting and playmaking were the main event in this matchup. His 16 points made him the leading scorer, and he did it with 3 threes, beating his man off the dribble for an and1, and a pull up jumper. He collected an assist in the open court with a long pass in transition.</p> <p>Fresh off, his first offer from Centenary College of Louisiana [player_tooltip player_id="1161427" first="Jackson" last="Slater"] is still making plays. His floor general play, passing, and ability to do the little things make him a lead guard teams should cover. He connected with a high-flying teammate for an alley oop assist, ran the floor to score in transition, and took a charge.</p>