SWFL Showcase Session 1 Top Performances

Session 1 of the SWFL Showcase kicked off at Charlotte High School this past weekend, showcasing a collection of serious talent all across the state of Florida. Let's examine some of session 1's top performers and some players you could potentially watch during session 2 on October 11th.    Booker came out on top in their matchup vs Barron Collier with a final score of 53-44 in large part due to the efforts of J.P. Lattimore. Although more of a traditional wing, Booker's offense featured Lattimore in the post, allowing him to take advantage of switches and create for his teammates. Lattimore was extremely effective in both his post touches and his curls/rolls to the basket, delivering on multiple tough layups. J.P. also showcased his tenaciousness on the offensive glass, securing multiple offensive boards leading to numerous fouls and subsequent shots at the charity stripe.     [player_tooltip player_id='2140424' first='Cooper' last='LaSalle'] showed great poise with basketball when faced with the pressure brought upon by Lehigh in half-court. Against a defense that likes to send traps, Cooper was efficient in not turning the ball over and was excellent in his ability to relocate and provide his teammates with a kickout on their drives. LaSalle led all scorers in the first half with 13 points, connecting on a total of 3 triples, before adding yet another crucial 3 and layup in the second half that helped push his Griffiths team towards victory vs the Lightning. Keep an eye out for LaSalle in the following sessions of the SWFL Showcase.     Recently transferring from Lehigh to Gateway Charter, Jeremiah Jean-Fort is an extremely valuable pickup for the Griffiths, which was on full display in this matchup versus his former team. Jeremiah played with infectious energy right from the opening tip, providing his Gateway Charter team with the ball pressure it needed to disrupt Lehigh's offense. Jean-Fort was a thorn in Lehigh's side all night, picking up his matchup full court and forcing turnovers that proved to be the difference in the game. Although he did not lead his team in any major stat categories besides steals, every team needs a player who plays with the passion and intensity of Jeremiah Jean-Fort.     Facing off against a strong Southeastern Prep Academy, [player_tooltip player_id='2125500' first='Marcus' last='Nestor'] immediately provided his team with intensity on both sides of the ball and was insurmountable in Charlotte's comeback win. On the defensive end, Nestor was a thorn in the opposition's side all night with constant full-court ball pressure, amounting to numerous forced ball pickups and ten-second violations. On the offensive side of the ball, Nestor was also the spark his Charlotte team needed in the second half as he contributed 3 triples, with one being an and-one to regain momentum. With Nestor being no stranger to big-time basketball, expect more performances like this from him moving forward.     Standing at 6'8, Lehigh's Tim Thurman possesses a great soft touch around the rim and scored inside at ease against an extremely aggressive and fast Gateway Charter team. The Griffiths had little answer for Thurman on the interior, with him securing numerous second-chance opportunities for his team and collecting a total of 3 and-ones on the day. Thurman also showcased his smooth southpaw jumper, going 1 for 2 from beyond the arc and knocking down his free throws at a consistent clip. With Thurman's 6'8 frame and long arms, his ability to stretch the floor makes him an extremely interesting prospect and a player to keep your eye out for.

Session 1 of the SWFL Showcase kicked off at Charlotte High School this past weekend, showcasing a collection of serious talent all across the state of Florida. Let's examine some of session 1's top performers and some players you could potentially watch during session 2 on October 11th.