Wally Keller Classic: Day 2 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic is upon us… The event will be taking place on January 20 and 21 at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda. Prep Hoops Florida scouts Josh Cutler and Ross Van De Griek will be providing coverage of the event. Here is everything you need to know for Day 2 of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Canterbury (Fort Myers) vs Venice- Saturday at 10:20am: </strong>Day 2 of the 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic features the Canterbury Cougars taking on the Venice Indians. Keep an eye on 6'4 senior combo guard Kade Slaton who is leading the team averaging 15.3 points per game this season for the Indians. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'10 senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1512142' first='Keegan' last='Burroughs'] who is averaging a double-double this season. On the other side, the Canterbury Cougars are led by 6'1 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1163621' first='Leroy' last='Roker'] who is averaging a team high 14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Also keep an eye on 6'7 sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1301712' first='Jerry' last='Ashley'] who is averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mariner vs Sarasota- Saturday at 11:20am:</strong> The Mariner Tritons are playing good basketball right now as they have won three consecutive games and 9 of their last 11 overall. The Tritons have been led by 6'0 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1457201' first='Justin' last='Lewis'] who is averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this season to lead the team. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'2 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2197826' first='Kelvin' last='Jimenez'] who is averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. On the other side, the Sarasota Sailors (16-4) have won 5 of their last 6 games coming into the Wally Keller Classic. Keep an eye on 6'5 junior forward Daniel Munn in this matchup as he is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westminster Academy vs Oldsmar Christian- Saturday at 12:00pm: </strong>We have a star-studded matchup in this one, as the Westminster Academy Lions come in ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, according to the latest MaxPreps' rankings. Keep an eye on their core four which features 6'4 sophomore Alex Lloyd, 6'7 freshman Alex Constanza, 6'6 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1301736' first='Dwayne' last='Wimbley'] and 6'8 senior [player_tooltip player_id='709227' first='Jaylen' last='Carey'] all averaging double figures. On the other side, the Oldsmar Christian Eagles have played a jam-packed schedule this season as part of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) conference. Keep an eye on their senior guard duo between Evansville commit [player_tooltip player_id='1578249' first='Braylon' last='Jackson'] and Cristian Sanon who are both 6'5 athletic guards, who can also handle the wing position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barron Collier vs Cardinal Mooney- Saturday at 1:00pm: </strong>The Barron Collier Cougars (16-4) have been one of the hottest teams in the SWFL area over the last couple of weeks, coming into the Wally Keller Classic on a 7-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6'4 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1310860' first='Bryce' last='Clayton'] who is leading the team, averaging 17.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'5 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1463339' first='Noah' last='French'] who is averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Cardinal Mooney Cougars will look to get back on the winning track, as they've dropped two straight games. Keep an eye on 6'4 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2197810' first='Kevin' last='O'Donoghue'] who is averaging a team best 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'3 junior guard Connor Heald who is averaging 12.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game this season for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Providence (Jacksonville) vs St. Petersburg- Saturday at 1:40pm: </strong>The No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A Providence Stallions have a potential star in the making in 6'7 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1055748' first='Jaylen' last='Robinson'], alongside 6'6 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578258' first='Chris' last='Arias'] who is committed to Jacksonville University. On the other side, the St. Petersburg Green Devils have the best two-way prospect in the Tampa Bay area in 6'5 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='709233' first='Tristan' last='Gross'] who has been on a tear this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 5'10 senior guard Marquis Curry Jr. who can score and facilitate at all three phases. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Pierce Central vs First Baptist Academy- Saturday at 2:40pm: </strong>The Fort Pierce Central Cobras are rolling at the right time and have one of the state's best three point shooters in 6'2 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301751' first='Christopher' last='Maxon'] who is a 48 percent shooter from beyond the arc this season. On the other side, the First Baptist Academy Lions have one of the top guards in the SWFL area in 6'4 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1643254' first='Yohandry' last='Ortiz']. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'3 senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1642704' first='Latrell' last='Davis'] in this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sagemont vs Winter Haven- Saturday at 3:20pm: </strong>The Sagemont Lions (17-3) are the No. 2 ranked team in Class 2A, according to the latest MaxPreps' rankings and had their modest four-game winning streak snapped in their 74-55 loss to Lake Worth in their last game. Keep an eye on 6'7 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='962452' first='Tynan' last='Becker'] in this matchup, who is averaging 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season for the Lions. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'1 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='963317' first='Ashton' last='Smith'] who is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Winter Haven Blue Devils (15-4) are the No. 3 ranked team in Class 7A, according to MaxPreps have a three-star trio between 6'9 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='814550' first='Dylan' last='James'] (Georgia commit), 6'6 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1055750' first='Isaac' last='Celiscar'] and 6'0 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='962495' first='Kjei' last='Parker'] (Florida A&amp;M commit). The Blue Devils will look to get back in the win column, after losing 84-77 to Mater Lakes Academy in their last game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Miami Southridge vs Bartow- Saturday at 4:20pm: </strong>The Southridge Spartans (14-5) will look to snap a modest 2-game losing streak as they are led by 2nd year head coach Robert Doctor. Keep an eye on 6'6 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='962427' first='Koree' last='Cotton'] (VMI signee) who is averaging 21.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Spartans. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'1 senior guard Anthony Dozier who is averaging 11.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. On the other side, the Bartow Yellow Jackets (11-8) are on a modest 2-game winning streak and have been led by 6'0 sophomore guard Lawrence "EJ" Horton who has been averaging 13.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season. Also keep an eye on 6'3 junior forward Jayson Williams who is averaging 11.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tampa Catholic vs Orlando Christian Prep- Saturday at 5:00pm: </strong>The Tampa Catholic Crusaders (10-8) are coming off a 68-65 win over Oak Ridge which featured a game-winner by 6'6 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1055791' first='Karter' last='Knox']. The Crusaders now face another test as they take on the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, the Orlando Christian Prep Warriors (16-1) who have been led by 6'4 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1055774' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] and 6'0 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1055785' first='Ameer' last='Ramadan']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Port vs Gateway (Fort Myers)- Saturday at 6:00pm: </strong>The North Port Bobcats (11-9) are led by 1st year head coach Bruce Wallace and come into the Wally Keller Classic on a two-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6'7 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1579760' first='Elijah' last='Lubsey'] who is averaging 17.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Another name to keep an eye on will be 5'10 senior guard Jordan Howell who is averaging 10.2 points per game this season for the Bobcats. On the other side, the Gateway Eagles (11-4) come into the Wally Keller Classic on a four-game winning streak. Keep an eye on 6'3 junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1457197' first='Tavian' last='Cook'] and 6'2 sophomore guard Quran Pettyjohn Jr. in this matchup for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sacred Heart-Griffin (IL) vs Columbus (Miami)- Saturday at 6:40pm: </strong>We have a battle between two No. 1 ranked teams in their respective states. The Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones make their way to the Sunshine State from Springfield, Illinois. Keep an eye on 6'4 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='989267' first='Jake' last='Hamilton'] who is averaging 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'6 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1113521' first='Zack' last='Hawkinson'] who is averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. On the other side, the Columbus Explorers are led by their three-headed trio between 6'5 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1301715' first='Cayden' last='Boozer'], 6'8 junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1578317' first='Malik' last='Abdullahi'] and 6'10 sophomore power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1301714' first='Cameron' last='Boozer']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evangelical Christian vs Lemon Bay- Saturday at 7:40pm:</strong> The Evangelical Christian Sentinels (6-13) will look to start a winning streak as they picked up a 60-29 win over Southwest Florida Christian in their last game back on January 17. Keep an eye on 6'0 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2300466' first='Gavin' last='Williams'] who is averaging a team high 23.9 points per game this season. On the other side, the Lemon Bay Manta Rays (12-6) will look to sweep the head-to-head season series as they defeated the Sentinels' 57-49 back on January 3. Keep an eye on 6'0 junior guard Lucas Newcomb in this matchup for the Manta Rays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Port Charlotte at Charlotte (Punta Gorda)- Saturday at 8:20pm:</strong> A rivalry will be on hands as the 17th Annual Wally Keller Classic wraps up with a cross-town matchup between the Port Charlotte Pirates and the Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons. Keep an eye on 6'4 freshman combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1633093' first='Dallas' last='Lambert'], alongside 6'0 sophomore combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579751' first='Kaden' last='Suber'] and 5'10 sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1579754' first='Jah' last='Chin']. On the other side, keep an eye on 6'6 senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1578301' first='John' last='Gamble'] who is averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season for the Tarpons. Another name to keep an eye on will be 6'4 junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1578259' first='Chris' last='Cornish'] who is averaging 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->