Standouts: Southern Shootout (Day Two)

In the final day of the Southern Shootout, eight teams took the floor to conclude an exciting day of basketball. The eight teams participating were: Dwyer High School, Miramar High School, Saint Andrews High School, Dillard High School, Westminster Academy, Stranahan High School, Forest Hill High School and Northeast High School. Quick shout out to Scott Golden and Westminster Academy for putting on a great event!

Here are the scores:

Dwyer High School 47

Miramar High School 53

Top Scorer: Miramar: Brent Davis Brent Davis 6'1" | CG Miramar | 2020 State FL 6’3 (2020) point guard - 18 points

Dwyer: Richardson Noncent 5’9 (2022) guard - nine points

Dillard 45

Saint Andrews 48

Top Scorers: Dillard: Ivan Reynolds Ivan Reynolds 6'4" | SF Dillard | 2020 State FL 6’3 (2020) point guard - 15 points

Saint Andrews: Devin Hines Devin Hines 6'4" | CG St. Andrew's | 2021 State FL 6’3 (2021) point guard - 14 points

Westminster Academy 66

Stranahan 77

Forest Hill 61

Northeast 64

I took in the final two games of the Southern Shootout, here are some of my standouts:

1) Matthew Bewley - Northeast: While I didn’t see the all of the first two games, I would be hard pressed to believe anyone had a better night than Bewley. The six-foot-nine (2023) forward was dominant, scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. If a rebound was to be had, Bewley was likely to swallow it up with his size and length. The forward made the play of the final two games when he received an in-bounds pass from Tyrecke Francois Tyrecke Francois 5'11" | CG Northeast | 2020 State FL (2020) near mid-court for a huge baseline slam dunk. The ball floated perfectly over the top of the Forest Hill defense and Bewley brought the house down with the slam. While it might be high praise, I get a Scottie Pippen vibe from Bewley, who is only freshman. If he is not collecting a rebound, he is making it difficult for a defender to score by altering shots. Along with his brother, Ryan Bewley (2023), the Bewley’s look physically impressive for their age. Both brothers run the floor very well given their size. It is safe to say the Bewley’s will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

2) Stephen Dibongue - Westminster Academy: If not for the loss, I might have pushed Dibongue to the number one spot here. Dibongue lit it up for the Lions, scoring 24 points along with two 3-pointers. Dibongue is a quick guard, able to create separation of his three-point shot with a quick step back. Dibongue was a key to keeping the Lions around in the second half against the Mighty Dragons. The six-foot-two (2020) guard also hit five free-throws and has a high level IQ for the position.

3) Daquion Vickers Daquion Vickers 6'1" | CG Stranahan | 2020 State FL - Stranahan: I could really give this spot to ten different guys for the Mighty Dragons, because that is the amount of scorers they had against Westminster Academy. However, I will give the edge to Vickers (2020) who finished with 13 points. Early on when the Mighty Dragons opened up their lead, Vickers was active in transition for Stranahan. Two other big time performers for the Mighty Dragons were (2021) wing Thaddeus Squire Thaddeus Squire 6'5" | CG Stranahan | 2021 State FL , who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds and (2021) junior London Previlon London Previlon 6'6" | PF Stranahan | 2021 State FL who scored ten points in the second half. It is status quo for the Mighty Dragons, who could bring in their first and second team units and not miss a beat.

4) Donovan Draper Donovan Draper 6'6" | PF Forrest Hill | 2021 State FL - Forest Hill: My first look at Forest Hill and I came out impressed with (2021) guard Donovan Draper Donovan Draper 6'6" | PF Forrest Hill | 2021 State FL . At six-foot-six, Draper has good size for a guard and was able to sneak around Northeast for long offensive rebounds. Draper finished with a double-double of 14 points and ten rebounds. Draper was a big reason why Forest Hill kept this one close late, hitting a corner 3-pointer while getting fouled for an eventual four-point play.

5) Ben Middlebrooks - Westminster Academy: Being the host school, the Lions got the benefit of playing an extra game and Middlebrooks took full advantage of it. While I think he had a better night day one, the six-foot-nine (2022) power forward still finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds. I think Middlebrooks, while only a sophomore, has ability to take over a game when he wants too. What impresses me with Middlebrooks is his quick jab step when he receives a ball off a pass. If a defender is leaning, Middlebrooks is quick enough to drive past a defender for a potential layup. Personally, if a game is close I want the ball in his hands as much as possible. As he grows into an upperclassmen, I expect him to become more aggressive because of his offensive ability.

For any South Florida hoops news or information please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 or follow him on twitter @Mungertown_Mike23