SWFL HOOPS
Naples Finest Travel Team Preview
Rick Staudt
It’s an under-served area. Southwest Florida starts from Bradenton on down to Naples.
Considered a haven for retirees and those that serve them, it isn’t the first part of the state to pop into the mind of basketball coaches and recruitniks alike. However, there is some quality talent down that way and the creation of the Naples’ Finest program hopes to showcase those players.
“Currently, the top tier players in this region of the state are committed to more high profile teams.” says club contact Aaron Seybert. “Right now we’re composed primarily of players from Lee and Collier counties, but we hope to grow the program in such a way that we can keep the best local players on an annual basis.”
The main player inside will be 6’9 BF Joel Vander Pol of Fort Myers Evangelical Christian. Helping him out will be 6’5 BF Jason Humphrey of Naples Barron Collier, 6’5 WF Geric Leath of Tampa Middleton, and 6’4 WF Mike Liabo of Naples Gulf Coast.
“Vander Pol has some D-I characteristics”, says Seybert. “He’s a skilled big kid, a good mid-range shooter and really knows the game. He’s thin but his strength will come as his body matures. Humphrey is a skilled post player that can step away from the basket and make shots. Leath is a thin, long, bouncy athlete that gets a lot done on the boards. Liabo is a lefty, a good scorer and has a real knack for being around the basketball.”
In the backcourt, 2010 6’3 combo guard Mitch Woods will be one of top players. He’ll be joined by 6’2 combo guard Andrew Fenstermaker of St. Paul’s (New Hampshire), 6’2 WG Brian Landers of Naples Baron Collier, 2008 6’2 WG/WF Khiry Anfeld of Tampa Middleton, and 6’3 WF John Michael Hodge of Fort Myers HS.
“Mitch is one of the top players in the area regardless of class.” says Seybert. “He can play either guard spot, handles and passes the ball well, and is a good scorer. Fenstermaker is a good shooter, veryquick with the basketball, and defends well. Landers has a high hoops IQ and shoots the ball extremely well. Anfeld has a great build physically, is very athletic, and is a good scorer from mid-range. Hodge is an energy guy that does a little bit of everything.”
Still in the process of finalizing their schedule, Naples’ Finest is committed to the following events:
April 18-20: Charlie Weber, Washington, DC
May 9-11: 17U AAU State Tournament, Clearwater
July 14-16: West Virginia Hoopfest, Morgantown, WV
July 23-27: AAU Super Showcase, Orlando
July 27-Aug 1: AAU 17U Nationals, Orlando
