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Another year in the books and another great Dodge Shootout at Embry Riddle University on Saturday. It was a well-attended day of players looking to be seen, prominent high school coaches with which to socialize and college coaches with pens and packets on hand. The players all looked fresh with several weeks lapsed since the summer travel season and you can definitely tell which players individually and which high school teams as a whole have been working hard in fall preparation for the impending season.
Taking nothing away from the seniors, who were well represented, the top honors must go to junior Kasey Wilson (North Port) and sophomore Michael Frazier (Plant). Wilson looks significantly more agile and controlled than he did in July and to prove it he has several D1 schools coming through North Port for a glance, including Michigan this week. A 6’6 athletic wing has the smarts to take him as far as he wants to go. Frazier’s scoring ability is even more dynamic than it was this summer in part due to the extra ten pounds of definition it looks like he has accumulated in less than two months. At 6’3, there’s not a lot he can’t do offensively and he is starting to move his feet quickly to be able to defend anyone.
Four other juniors, Terrell Harris (Dwyer), Lance Stokes (Lake Highland Prep), James Hunt (Williston) and Greg Louis (Dwyer) made their respective impacts on the day. All four players should have Division I opportunities in the future if they do not already. Stokes was a nice surprise to many. He has developed tremendously over the year and has become a get-it-done player on the court. As a 6’6 forward, he scores well and runs the floor nicely. He can defend the perimeter if needed or play physical with anyone. Hunt is a force at a versatile 6’6. He can step out and shoot, but is certainly much more intimidating when taking it at an opposing player. He also moves his feet well and has good speed. Harris is quick, smooth and changes direction in a flash through the lane. Harris is a hard worker, defends well with his strong 6’2 frame and will knock down the mid-range shot. Louis plays much bigger than he is at 6’7. He has a nice hook and gets up quickly to pound it home. He is a defensive nightmare, changing every shot that comes through.
The fall is a great time for some under-recruited seniors to earn some much needed recognition and Jorel Terrell (Martin County)did just that. This 6’6 small forward is aggressive and athletic, resulting in power dunks often. He has a knack for getting to the basket, plays hard all the time and is the epitome of team player. Jose Ojeda (St. Thomas Aquinas) has a nice basketball build and is another guy who likes to finish strong. His midrange game is solid and he shows versatility on the defensive end.
Emory Bennett (North Miami Beach) is about as solid as it comes. At 6’6 and 245 lbs. he moves very well and shoots the ball even better. He was the hands-down talk of the camp from the college coaches in attendance. Teammate Craig Brown (North Miami Beach) is solid as well, and developing into a legitimate wing. He is quick and skilled and attacks the basket well. Brown also uses his body well to bully mismatches, which he certainly creates often.
I need to mention the four returning senior guards from Bartow High School in attendance. They will be tough to beat as they all know the game well and each has his next level specialty. It’s not often that it happens, but these will be four guys who played together for several years and all earn basketball scholarships. Tevin Grant (Bartow) has great size at 6’5, strength and athleticism. He is the guy going baseline over his defender and posting the emphatic two points. Still a bit raw, but you can see the wheels turning. Richard Murvin (Bartow) picks you apart cutting behind for a basket, shooting the mid-range and taking guys off the dribble for a nice finish. Weedlens Beauvil (Bartow) is an athletic, knock down shooter. One of the better shooters in the state, he racks up points quickly. As soon as you step out to far to defend, his athleticism takes over. Then you back off and the cycle continues. He has the ability to defend anyone and takes pride in doing so. Jeremiah Samamppas (Bartow) is the point guard who makes it all go. He is a true lead guard with great vision and makes terrific decisions. When left open, he has the ability to make shots from the perimeter. His quickness makes it very difficult for opposing players on both sides of the ball. I overheard someone ask him who the best player is on Bartow. His response was, “the open guy.”
