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SWFL TEAM RANKINGS

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2008-09 Preseason Team Rankings

(as of 11/17/2008)

**With the Preseason Tip-Offs starting this week we thought we would let the public know how SWFL Hoops sees the top teams compared to each other before any games are played and maybe stir up a little more excitement about what looks to be a great season. With some new faces and rising or hidden talent it would also get some more info out about these guys. The rankings are as subjective as any human generated rankings and are based upon our time spent watching the teams this offseason as well as how they fared towards the end of the 2007-08 season, but of course taking into consideration who they return and who they have lost. Enjoy and feel free to give us your take and/or version of the rankings on our Message board. And good luck to all the schools, coaches, and players this season!

1) Dunbar Tigers (Fort Myers)

Last Season’s Record: 22-8

Head Coach: Andre McGill

Key Players: WF David Paulk (6-foot-5, 200, Jr.); G Darius Perkins (6-foot-2 1/2, 180, Soph.); G/F Melvin German (6-foot-4, 190, Sr.); F/C John Florveus (6-foot-10, 210, Sr.); G Joel German (5-foot-11, 175, Jr.); G Troy Simmons (6-foot, 175, Jr.)

Outlook: Dunbar is coming off a trip to the Class 3A State Final Four so the experience and confidence is high. They have also added 3 key transfers in Florveus (North Miami High), Simmons (Riverdale), and the most heralded of all, Perkins, who is considered by some publications as a top ten talent in his class within the state and comes in with a state title under his belt from his time last season with Monsignor Pace HS in Miami. Those additions combined with the now playoff tested group of Paulk (widely regarded as a top 25 statewide talent in his own graduating class), Melvin German, and his younger brother Joel German. However, Melvin will potentially be out till December recovering from a broken leg suffered during the football season. The biggest keys will most likely be how much Paulk has progressed from last season to this season in terms of his ability to score in more ways than just threes and offensive boards for the most part last year, as well as how much Florveus can bring to the table as an inside presence on the glass and defensively. There is no doubt they have the most abundant amount of talent in Southwest Florida but with lots of talent comes lofty expectations. They will take part in the Bank of America City of Palms Classic for the second straight year and compete against what is being called “possibly the best field in high school basketball history.”

2) North Port Bobcats

Last Season’s Record: 20-7

Head Coach: Curt Allen

Key Players: SG Shaun Noriega (6-foot-4, 195, Sr.); F Kasey Wilson (6-foot-6, 200, Soph.); PG Dominique Glinton (5-foot-9, 170, Sr.); PG Larry Taylor (5-foot-10, 145, Frosh.); PG Eric Litvin (5-foot-9, 160, Soph.); F Tony Irons (6-foot-2, 245, Sr.); F Bensley Melidor (6-foot-5, 190, Jr.)

Outlook: North Port has possibly the best group of underclassmen in all of Southwest Florida to go along with SWFLHoops.com’s #1 rated senior in Noriega, who is already committed to the University of South Florida. The best player on the court this season however may be only a sophomore, that being Kasey Wilson. He is athletic, skilled, big, and has all the makings of a potential high major recruit. He is already receiving heavy interest from Auburn, South Florida, Syracuse, and Florida State. The speedy but small Glinton will most likely get starting nod at point but head coach Curt Allen has full confidence in both Litvin and Taylor’s decision making capabilities. Taylor, who has a very high basketball IQ, will also see time at the off guard behind Noriega. The Bobcats are looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Melidor is a super bouncy rebounding machine and Irons is as strong and tough as they come. Both should give the team solid play defensively in the paint. North Port will play a tougher schedule this season with games against Andrew Jackson HS (in the City of Palms Sunshine Series), Class 1A defending state champ Orlando Christian Prep (at the Wally Keller Classic), and will take part in the post Christmas McDonald’s Tampa Hoops Classic. They enter the season as the favorite to win a district title and possibly as the favorite to get out of there region and reach the state final four. They defeated Tampa Sickles last month at their place in an offseason tourney. Sickles has the #3 rated senior in the nation, John Henson, who is committed to University of North Carolina.

3) Sarasota Riverview Rams

Last Season’s Record: 18-8

Head Coach: James Ward

Key Players: G Derek Robbins (6-foot-2, 185, Sr.); F Matt Conway (6-foot-6, 200, Sr.); G John Bowers (5-foot-11, 175, Sr.); G Mike Peipert ( 5-foot-10, 180, Sr.); F Austin Baker (6-foot-7, 195, Sr.); F Kyle Kragel (6-foot-5, 195, Jr.); F Nemanja Rmus (6-foot-4, 205, Soph.);

Outlook: The Rams begin the season with 8 seniors, and all are expected to contribute for the most part. They are well coached and disciplined in their style of play and have talent to go along with it. They will rely heavily on Robbins, Bowers, Peipert, and Conway on the offensive end. Conway transferred in after the basketball season last year from Sarasota High. Robbins is a crafty combo guard who does not pass the “eye test” in warm-ups but will find ways to score consistently from the outside or slashing to the cup, as he was their top scorer last year. Bowers is a smart combo guard who can step out and shoot it as well as run the team. Peipert is savvy but small guard who is very consistent from behind the arc and will also see some time at the point. On the interior, Conway gives the Rams some athleticism on both ends, and he also has the ability to step away from the basket and make jumpers from 15 feet and in like clockwork. Baker, Kragel, and Rmus bring size to the interior of their tough zone defense. Rmus is also very skilled with his back to the basket offensively and Kragel will see some time on the wing. Overall, Riverview is deep with guys who know their role and play well within Coach James Ward’s offensive and defensive systems. You won’t see any one guy take over in this system so stats are misleading, but you can expect they will stay near the top tier of TEAMS throughout the 2008-09 season. Their toughest test of the season will most likely come at the Mount Dora Thanksgiving Shootout where they will face Winter Park (finished last season 27-2) and Eustis (made it to the class 4A state final four last season).

4) Bishop Verot Vikings (Fort Myers)

Last Season’s Record: 16-11

Head Coach: Matt Herting

Key Players: G Brennen Melvin (6-foot-4, 195, Sr.); F Etienne Effenberg (6-foot-6, 215, Sr.); G Jacquard Hagan (5-foot-11, 165, Jr.); PG Bobby Thomas (5-foot-11, 160, Jr.); G/F Abner Sandoval (6-foot-3, 175, Jr.); G Nate Howard (6-foot-4, 175, Soph.)

Outlook: The Vikings are a team that annually is one of the top teams in Southwest Florida and although they lost a lot of size, they should not drop off much from last season. If anything, look for them to improve with a more up-tempo style of play, a stronger and more determined Brennen Melvin, a more focused Effenberg, and a more mature group of underclassmen wings and guards to compliment them. They will again play arguably the toughest schedule of the area teams, and so their record may not look as shiny and polished as most as the season wears on. However, as they proved last year when matched up with SWFL top teams they usually rise to the top, such as their 30 point blowout of Fort Myers in the last regular season game of 2007-08. Look for some new faces to step up such as Howard, Sandoval, and Thomas. Those new faces will look to add to the experience of Melvin, Effenberg, Hagan, and 5’11” senior point guard Jesse Kane. They will be the underdogs going into district play against Dunbar but in a small district are usually a lock for the playoffs, and no matter how it plays out you can bet that Coach Matt Herting will have his guys ready to go.

5) Ida Baker Bulldogs(Cape Coral)

Last Season’s Record:

Head Coach: Greg Coleman, Jr.

Key Players: F John Skinner (6-foot-5, 200, Sr.); F Zach Campbell (6-foot-6, 185, Sr.); PG Xavier Battle (5-foot-11, 160, Sr.); G Gabe Rodriguez (5-foot-10, 150, Sr.); F Eric Ramos (6-foot-2, 210, Sr.); G Ron Ward (5-foot-11, 180, Sr.)

Outlook: If Head Coach Greg Coleman, Jr. wants to make a legit run at the first playoff spot and potentially first boy’s hoops district title in the school’s short history this looks to be the year he will need to get it done. His top six guys are seniors and he may not get another guy to come through with the size and ability of John Skinner for a little while. Skinner is a guy who has all the tools to be one of the best sleepers available to colleges in the state come spring time, but he has never quite been that guy who can take over a game. He consistently puts up solid stats but can do so while you forget he was even on the court. Well, that cannot happen if he wants to also be known as a winner. He has to get a mean streak and know when to take his game to the next level and bring his teammates along with him. The Bulldogs have a solid group to compliment him which should make it that much easier. Helping inside and sliding out to the wing on occasion will be both Zach Campbell and Eric Ramos. Campbell is a long bouncy but slender forward who can change shots on the interior, rebound, step out and knock down the shot from the arc from time to time, and runs the floor well. Ramos has a stocky frame but is more athletic than he may seem and has able skills from the wing as well. On the perimeter Baker will be lead by speedy point guard Xavier Battle. His running mates will be Rodriguez and Ward, who are both good leapers who can finish on the break of in the paint regardless of their small stature. Rodriguez is also a reliable contributor from beyond the arc. Ward will also see time at the wing forward spot due to his strength and athleticism making him a solid contributor on the glass on both ends of the floor. Ida Baker will have their hands full if they expect to win a district title with three other teams in our preseason rankings being in the same district.

6) Fort Myers Green Wave

Last Season’s Record: 26-4

Head Coach: Scott Guttery

Key Players: C Josh Nicholas (6-foot-11, 220, Sr.); G Evin Graham (6-foot-2, 155, Soph.); F Colin Henry (6-foot-4, 195, Jr.); G John Michael Hodge (6-foot-3, 185, Sr.); G/F Matt Yance (6-foot-4, 185, Soph.); G Terran McClendon (6-foot, 165, Jr.);

Outlook: Fort Myers comes into the season young but with a lot of talent. However, as most young talent usually is, they are unproven in leading a team. Especially leading a program that is accustomed to being towards the top tier of teams in Southwest Florida. They will rely heavily upon Nicholas in the middle who is their only true post player. If he can show some resilience in the paint on both ends against smaller but stronger foes, and at some point get a mean streak, he could turn some heads and finally start to live up to expectations. Helping him around the paint will be hybrid forward Colin Henry who will see time at the big forward as well as wing positions throughout the year. He is one of the better on-the-ball defenders in the area, as well as hardest working. The guards and wings will be paced by sophomore’s Evin Graham and Matt Yance; senior John Michael Hodge; and juniors McClendon, Tyler Manning, and point guard Will White. Graham has showed flashes where is can be the go to guy for the Wave, but then there’s times when his lack of strength hurts his effectiveness. Manning, Yance, and Hodge are solid wings that can all knock down the outside shot as well as mix it up around the paint with the ball or on the defensive end. McClendon is the spark plug offensively and has the ability to come in and change the momentum with a couple quick buckets. White is maybe the only “true” point guard on the roster. He is very good at finding an open teammate in the right spot, as well as pushing the ball in transition to look for a quick scoring opportunity. The Green Wave will play another tough schedule with their toughest coming in the City of Palms tourney and the post-Christmas 5th/3rd Classic in Lexington, Ky. They will also end the season with their annual in-school game versus Charlotte and the regular season finale versus Bishop Verot. They have the potential to be good, but they will need for a new leader to step up quickly to battle through the tough games and times of the season.

7) Desoto Bulldogs (Arcadia)

Last Season’s Record: 18-8

Head Coach: Kip Rhoten

Key Players: F Greg “Bubba” Summers (6-foot-3, 225, Sr.); G Jumaane Robinson (6-foot-3, 190, Sr.); PG Darion Shine (5-foot-11, 165, Jr.); G Anthony Ruth (6-foot-4, 175, Sr.)

Outlook: Anyone who did not see the Bulldogs play over the summer will automatically assume that Desoto would no doubt have to be “rebuilding” or expecting to have a down year. When you lose a player like Shavon Shine, as well as Tavarus Dennis, that is what is supposed to happen when no other individual really stood out consistently. Right? Well, that team mindset rather than relying on one guy to take over will be what surprises many when facing Desoto this season. They have a bunch of guys that have the attitude that they just do not want to lose and will fight every possession for that very reason. Nothing will come easy in the paint with “Bubba” Summers roaming around using his linebacker build and mindset to get position and be consistently effective on both ends of the floor. At point guard will be the next in the line of Shine brothers, Darion, who is smaller than his elder brothers but is just as quick and skilled with the ball in his hands. On the wings will be a pair of long and athletic guys in Robinson and Ruth. Both have the ability to knock down the outside shot, with that being Ruth’s specialty. Robinson on the other hand is a guy who has more ability to also get to the rack and finish as well as rebound, defend, handle the ball, and knock down the mid-range consistently. Jumaane may be the guy who is he catches fire could carry his squad back to the playoffs, something Shavon could not do last season as a senior.

8) Venice Indians

Last Season’s Record: 21-7

Head Coach: Steve Cavallaro

Key Players: G/F Trey Burton (6-foot-3, 220, Jr.); G Justin Grant (6-foot-1, 185, Jr.); F Brandon Wilkinson (6-foot-5, 190, Jr.);

Outlook: The Indians come into 2008-09 returning all of their key guys, including Burton, who will be playing his last season of high school basketball so there should be some added incentive to make a run. Although only a junior, Burton plans to graduate early next year in order to enroll at the University of Florida on a football scholarship. He is expected to be the quarterback of the future for the Gators. His running mates include combo guard Grant and forward Wilkinson. These three have been playing together since youth ball in both basketball and football so chemistry should be a strong asset. Venice is very well coached and well disciplined under Head Coach Steve Cavallaro but most likely will not be putting up 70 plus points in too many games. Their style of play is to slow the game down, run their offense, and make you earn your points on the other end. The tempo could potentially pick up just a bit with athletes like Grant and Burton but expect Cavallaro to slow it down at key times just the same. They will be competing with district favorite North Port for the title this year and as always Charlotte will be in the mix, so it will not be an easy road.

9) Palmetto Ridge Bears (Naples)

Last Season’s Record: 21-7

Head Coach: Joe Rader

Key Players: G Tyler Terrell (6-foot-2, 180, Sr.); F Sean Smikle (6-foot-6, 205, Sr.); PG Danilo Rupena (5-foot-8, 170, Sr.); F Peter Falisi (6-foot-1, Sr.)

Outlook: The Bears only lose three to graduation from last season’s squad that reached the state’s Elite 8 in Class 4A. However, they were three of the top four scorers from 2007-08. Coach Rader will be relying heavily upon three more seniors this season. Guards Danilo Rupena and Tyler Terrell will be expected to carry a much heavier load on both the offensive and defensive end. Terrell is the top returning scorer at 13.2 per game and will need to increase that most likely by looking to create more off the dribble and knock down more shots from behind the arc. The graduated players were also the top shooters from behind the arc for the Bears. Point guard Rupena will have the ball in his hands the majority of time and he is one of the quicker guards in the area. He has the ability to get by his man and into the lane but he will need to improve his consistency as a passer in traffic as well as a finisher. Probably the most important wild card for Palmetto Ridge will be how much of a load senior forward Sean Smikle can carry on his back. He will need to step up as a scorer, defensive post presence, and be a complete rebounding machine. Smikle is athletic, strong, and has a soft touch inside and from the mid-range. The Bears don’t return much size and although that shouldn’t hurt them in the district a ton, it will be a key if they are to move on into the playoffs. They look to be the district favorites heading into the season but Lely and Golden Gate hope to cause some problems with that prediction. Coach Rader annually has his team disciplined and playing hard so expect them to pull it out in the end and take back to back district titles.

10) Charlotte Tarpons (Punta Gorda)

Last Season’s Record: 24-6

Head Coach: Tom Massolio

Key Players: F Nick Goshay (6-foot-3, 190, Jr.); F Jonathan Ocasio (6-foot-5, 200, Jr.); F Alex Mut (6-foot-4, 180, Soph.); G D’Monte “DJ” Scott (5-foot-11, 170, Soph.); G Thaddeus Legree (5-foot-10, 160, Jr.)

Outlook: The run with Pena and Stephenson has officially ended and it is time for some new faces to emerge for the Tarpons. Nick Goshay is the lone returning key player from last year’s run and looks to be the go to guy for 2008-09. Goshay is a good sized wing with the ability to knock shots down from beyond the arc, rebound, and can put it on the floor on some occasions. Not nearly as athletic at this point as Pena and Stephenson were, he makes up for it with a blue-collar approach, fighting for everything he can get on the glass. Jonathan Ocasio transferred into Charlotte High just a few weeks ago from North Port and will give the Tarpons some added size and scoring ability in the paint. Ocasio also has the ability to step out and shoot it on the catch with range out to the arc. Two other underclassmen who are expected to contribute for the Tarpons will be sophomores Alex Mut and DJ Scott. Mut is a big wing who although awkward in style, tends to be very effective driving to the hoop. He will also give some help on the glass to Goshay and Ocasio. Scott is a lefty guard who is best when slashing to the basket or pushing the ball in transition. He is still refining his ball skills and off hand ball handling but will see a lot of time at the point guard position this season. Junior Thaddeus Legree, a transfer from Lake Placid, should give Coach Massolio another option at the point. Legree is a speedster whose natural position is more of an off guard but will bring a change of pace to the Tarpons offense with the ball in his hands. Coach Massolio says, “Legree is a smaller shooting guard who can fill it up. He’ll probably play some point for us, but has great range, is very quick, and can get to the basket very well for being so small.” The Tarpon’s schedule is not nearly as competitive as it was in 2007-08 but that should be expected with a lot of underclassmen and the loss of four college signees. The will take part in the pre-Christmas tournament at Port Charlotte High as well as the Wally Keller Classic on January 17 where they will face expected state title contender Bartow. Whoever they face, do not assume this is necessarily a “rebuilding” year, because they expect to be very competitive with each team on their schedule as well as in the 5A-12 district.

11) Barron Collier Cougars (Naples)

Last Season’s Record: 22-5

Head Coach: Carlos Clark

Key Players: F Jason Humphrey (6-foot-5, 190, Sr.); G Brian Landers (6-foot-2, 175, Sr.); PG Jesus Gonzalez (5-foot-10, 165, Sr.); G Deion Clark (6-foot-1, 150, Frosh);

Outlook: One and done for Head Coach Bryan Crislip, who leaves to take an assistant coaching position at Lynn University, will leave some questions on the table for the Cougars and new Head Coach Carlos Clark in 2008-09. They ended last season by getting upset by Gulf Coast in the district tournament. However, they return three key players, including top two scorers Landers and Humphrey. The third, Jesus Gonzalez, is a smart point guard who is good in transition with the ball or getting the team into their sets in the half court. Landers is a good scoring guard who’s biggest strength is his shooting from the outside, however he also finds way to contribute all over the court averaging 4.4 reb/pg, 2.5 stl/pg, and 2.4 asst/pg last season. Humphrey is the lone returning post presence for Collier so he will have his hands full on the glass. Offensively Jason has the ability to score in the paint as well as step away and knock down the open jumper or put it on the floor and create for himself.

12) Gulf Coast Sharks (Naples)

Last Season’s Record: 19-9

Head Coach: Adam Hale

Key Players: PG Korenzo Smith (5-foot-9, 140, Jr.); G Mike McGahey (6-foot-3, 180, Sr.); G Matt Gonzalez (5-foot-11, 175, Sr.)

Outlook: The Sharks come into the season with the loss of leading scorer Mike Laibo in the rearview mirror. Most local fans might see that Laibo, who moved to Illinois, is gone and assume that Gulf Coast and Coach Hale will struggle mightily to compete again for the district title. Yes, offensively they will have to play more disciplined as a team and look to create more for each other rather than letting one guy get them 20-30 each night, but in the end this may possibly make them just that, a better TEAM. With speedy point guard Smith as well as consistent scorers McGahey and Gonzalez returning, they should have enough of a nucleus to battle for a playoff spot in back to back seasons. During the summer, they looked to outhustle their opponents and competed extremely well at the FGCU team camp against multiple talented local teams. With Fort Myers still looking to prove themselves with a young group, Barron Collier adjusting to their third coach in 3 years, and Baker still trying to prove they can get over the hump albeit with arguably the most senior talent in the district, Gulf Coast might just sneak through and steal a spot like they did last year with an upset over a 22-4 Barron Collier team. No matter what happens in the end, you can assume that Coach Hale and the Sharks will be fighting till the end.

Others of Note: Evangelical Christian School, Bradenton Christian, Cape Coral, Golden Gate, Gateway Charter, Sarasota Christian