Top 5 Games To Watch- Week 8
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Every Monday during the high school basketball season, the Prep Hoops Florida staff preview the top matchups for the upcoming week. This week is no different, as we have some great matchups in store across the state. Check out which…
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Continue ReadingEvery Monday during the high school basketball season, the Prep Hoops Florida staff preview the top matchups for the upcoming week. This week is no different, as we have some great matchups in store across the state. Check out which five intriguing matchups are catching our eye this week.
Centennial at Dwyer- Tuesday at 7:00pm: This matchup has the making to become a nominee for the Game of the Year in the Treasure Coast area, as the Centennial Eagles travel to West Palm Beach and come in with a 12-3 record, as well as a current 8-game winning streak. On the other side, the Dwyer Panthers roll in with a 13-0 record and are ranked No. 30 in the nation, according to the latest MaxPreps’ national rankings. Keep an eye on both guards starting with 6’0 senior Ty Owens Ty Owens 6'0" St lucie west centennial | 2023 FL for Centennial, who is averaging 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. On the other side will be 6’5 junior guard Mason Brown Mason Brown 6'7" | SF Dwyer | 2023 State FL who is averaging 13.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for Dwyer and has scored 15 or more points in each of the last three games. Other names to keep an eye on will be 6’6 senior forward Joseph Lezeau Joseph Lezeau 6'6" | SF Centennial | 2023 State FL II for Centennial and 6’5 senior wing Blake Wilson Blake Wilson 6'5" | SG Dwyer | 2023 State FL for Dwyer.
Cardinal Mooney at Gateway Charter- Tuesday at 7:00pm: The Cardinal Mooney Cougars (10-4) come into this matchup on a 3-game winning streak, averaging 26.6 points per margin of victory. Keep an eye on 6’1 junior guard Dylan Higgins for Cardinal Mooney, as he is averaging 12.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game this season for the Cougars. On the other side, the Gateway Charter Griffins (13-2) had their 11-game winning streak snapped in their last game, losing 69-60 to Clearwater Calvary Christian. Keep an eye on 6’4 senior combo guard Jahmari Johnson Jahmari Johnson 6'4" | CG Gateway Charter | 2023 State FL who is averaging a double-double in four of the last five games for the Griffins. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’7 sophomore power forward Patrick Johnson Patrick Johnson 6'7" | PF Gateway Charter | 2025 State FL who has averaged 11.5 rebounds in each of the last two games.
Winter Haven at Montverde Academy- Wednesday at 7:00pm: In a Top 10 matchup, the Winter Haven Blue Devils (13-2) come into this matchup on a 5-game winning streak and have won 6 of their last 7 games. Keep an eye on 6’6 junior guard Isaac Celiscar Isaac Celiscar 6'6" | SG Winter Haven | 2024 State #263 Nation FL who is averaging 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season for Winter Haven. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’5 junior Jamie Phillips Jamie Phillips 6'5" | CG Winter Haven | 2024 State FL Jr. who is averaging 15.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. On the other side, the Montverde Academy Eagles (11-2) come into play on a 3-game winning streak and went 2-0 at the latest NIBC slate of games in Indiana. Keep an eye on their wing play featuring 6’7 junior Liam McNeeley Liam McNeeley 6'7" | SF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #14 Nation FL who is shooting 53 percent from beyond the arc and 6’8 sophomore Cooper Flagg Cooper Flagg 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #1 Nation FL who is shooting 56 percent from the field this season.
Mater Lakes Academy at Columbus- Wednesday at 7:30pm: This South Florida matchup features two heavyweights who appear to be favorites to reach at least the Final Four in their respective classifications. Both teams are also ranked in the top five across all classifications, with the Mater Lakes Academy Bears (14-2) coming in ranked No. 5 in Florida across all classifications and the Columbus Explorers (13-3) who are ranked No. 2 in Florida across all classifications. The Bears have won 12 of their last 13 games dating back to a December 21 loss to Crossroads (California) 59-58. Keep an eye on 6’5 junior forward Christian Reid Christian Reid 6'5" | SF Mater Lakes | 2024 State FL in this matchup for Mater Lakes Academy, as he comes in as the No. 21 ranked player in our Prep Hoops Rankings for the junior class. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6’0 sophomore guard Anthony Knowles Anthony Knowles 5'10" | CG Mater Lakes | 2025 State #93 Nation FL who can score and facilitate, averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 assists per game. On the other side, the Columbus Explorers rely heavily on the duo between 6’5 sophomore guard Cayden Boozer Cayden Boozer 6'5" | PG Columbus | 2025 State #28 Nation FL and 6’9 sophomore forward Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer 6'9" | PF Columbus | 2025 State #2 Nation FL . The Explorers also come into the game ranked No. 11 in the nation, according to the latest MaxPreps’ rankings.
Providence School at Impact Christian Academy- Friday at 7:00pm: The Northeast Florida Area Game of the Week features two teams ranked inside the Top 5 in their respective classifications, the Providence Stallions come in ranked No. 1 in Class 3A and No. 7 in the state of Florida, according to MaxPreps’ latest rankings. The Stallions have won two straight games since sustaining their lone loss of the season back on December 29 against Winter Haven in the Kingdom of the Sun. Keep an eye on 6’6 junior forward Chris Arias, who is committed to Jacksonville University as well as 6’6 senior wing Mason Lee Mason Lee 6'6" | SF Providence | 2023 State FL who has signed with the University of North Florida. Also keep an eye on 6’7 junior wing Jaylen Robinson Jaylen Robinson 6'6" | SF DME Academy | 2024 State FL who has been averaging a near double-double over the last few weeks. On the other side for the Impact Christian Academy Lions who come in ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, keep an eye on 6’6 junior forward Jordan Mikell Jordan Mikell 6'7" | SF Impact Christian | 2023 FL who is averaging a team-high 11.7 points per game this season. Also make note of 6’1 junior guard Taylor Thompson Taylor Thompson 6'3" | CG Impact Christian Academy | 2024 State FL who is also averaging 11.7 points per game this season.