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Florida is a big state. While many areas such as the Dade-Broward-Palm Beach tri-county area and the metro Orlando area get much of the recognition, the Southwest section of the state is starting to make some noise. The area from Bradenton to Naples contains some very good ballplayers and the SWFL Select program aims to get them noticed.
“We want to build a program that will showcase the players in this area”, says club contact Aaron Seybert. “All of our coaches are high school head coaches so they know how to teach the game to make players better and how to coach the game to get players into the winner’s circle. Our first goal is to compete successfully on a state-wide level and then get out nationally. They won’t be the biggest team but all the guys can run the floor very well and make plays with the basketball.”
Though somewhat undersized inside, SWFL Select 17U brings strength and athleticism to the court. The biggest of the group is 6’6 BF/C Clinton Johnson of Cape Coral (FL) Mariner. Other players seeing time in the paint include 6’4 BF/WF Nick Goshay of Charlotte (FL) HS, 6’5 BF Jonathan Ocasio also of Charlotte (FL) HS, 6’5 BF/WF Kyle Kragel of Sarasota (FL) Riverview, and 6’4 WF/BF Ahmed Abu-Khadier of Fort Myers (FL) Gateway Charter.
“Johnson is solid defensively and a powerful post scorer”, says Seybert. Goshay is a good athlete who is skilled inside but can also shoot it consistently from deep. Ocasio can score inside but can step out and hit jumpers as well. Kragel is a fundamental guy with a high hoops IQ and good upside who can play the wing or the post. Khadier is always around the ball and scores well inside.”
In the backcourt, the team will be led by 6’4 PG Mitch Woods of Naples (FL) Community School. He’ll be joined by 6’2 WG Brunes Charles of Naples (FL) Seacrest Country Day School, 6’3 WG Joel Hill of Cape Coral (FL) HS, 6’3 WG Jake Carlton of Bradenton (FL) Lakewood Ranch, 6’1 PG Terran McClendon of Fort Myers (FL) HS, 6’1 WG Elias Gutierrez of Sarasota (FL) HS, and 6’2 WG Bond Roth of Naples (FL) Seacrest Country Day.
“Woods is a big point guard with athleticism”, says Seybert. “He can score and distribute the basketball. Charles is a tremendous athlete that slashes to the rim and has a good mid-range jumper. Hill is a slashing lefty that can knock down open shots. Carlton is a big-bodied wing guard that shoots it well, passes it well, and has a good hoops IQ. McClendon is a steady presence at the point that can score when called upon and is a great “on ball” defender. Gutierrez is a fundamental guard that defends, handles the basketball, and can scores as well. Roth is another solid player with a good basketball IQ and is one of our most consistent shooters.”
The team will take on the following schedule:
April 10-12: Disney Easter Classic, Orlando, FL
May 9-10: AAU States, Leesburg, FL
May 22-24: Hoop Mountain Memorial Day Showcase, Orlando, FL
July 13-15: Hoops Festival, Miami, FL
July 23-26: 17U Super Showcase, Orlando, FL
July 26-Aug 1: AAU 17U Nationals, Orlando, FL
For more news from around the state and travel team previews for each of the state's top teams visit Floridahoops.com!
TRAVEL TEAM PREVIEW – SWFL SELECT 17U
