This season has seen a lot of teams not being very successful, and others that have been very up and down. The story with Southwest Florida is that besides a few teams around the top, anyone can beat anyone on any given night.
Well within all of the parody, there have been some players to emerge as consistent contributors for the good, average, and some bad teams that usually do not get a lot of credit for what they do. SWFL Hoops does our best to rank each class according to potential, skill, size, and numbers but with each class we have found that it isn't just the guys in the Top 10 that have game. This may be no more evident than when we're trying to round out the top 30, top 25, and so on for each class. We come to realize that even the guys towards the bottom do good things for their high school teams, and sometimes put up big numbers, and although a couple limitations may keep them behind the next guy, that doesn't mean they should not be recognized more at some point.
Therefore, we wanted to take the opportunity to point out some seniors that have done very good things this season, whether it be statistically on teams that have struggled, led their teams to solid but up and down seasons, or just been a key factor on a successful team where they get lost at times behind the play of the "star."
The players listed below are in no particular order and we would love to point out everyone but these are the guys that stuck out in our minds, and we'll add that all of them are currently unsigned to play in college so any coaches looking for some talented but under recruited talent be sure and contact us at SWFLHoops@gmail.com.
Also, we will be posting this as a three part piece, with more seniors having came in Part 1, and then some standout under the radar juniors will be the focus in part 3.
Povilas Gaidys, 6'8, F, 2010 (Southwest Florida Christian)
- Gaidys, in his first season playing high school basketball in the United States, is currently leading the state of Florida in rebounds and is third in the country according to Maxpreps.com at 18.3 per game. He has added 20 points a game to go along with those amazing rebounding numbers, and has even hit 17 shots from behind the arc. The 6'8 European big man actually prefers to play on the perimeter and has a decent skill set out there. However, it is crazy to think how good his scoring numbers could be if he committed to using his size and strength in the paint full-time and only stepped outside on a few occassions. He has a typical European style game, more built on finesse than bruteness or power. He is hoping to lead Southwest Florida Christian to a berth in the Regional Playoffs in his only year with the team.
Garrett Braun, 6'5, F, 2010 (St John Neumann)
- Braun did not join the team on the court this year until the eighth game of the season, due to a finger injury. However, once he stepped on the court the Celtics he took them from a hot start to one of the best teams in Naples as Braun made his presence known quickly. His best statistical game of the year was a 30 point and 26 rebound effort versus district foe Evangelical Christian, and he has routinely put up solid numbers all year, including a 26 point, 16 rebound effort in the team's most recent victory over Golden Gate. On the season, Braun is averaging 16.4 points and 12.5 rebounds, while helping lead the Celtics to a 21-4 overall record heading into the 2A-12 district tournament this week.
Jonny Ocasio, 6'6, F, 2010 (Charlotte)
- Charlotte High senior forward Jonny Ocasio has been having a very solid season thus far. On such a solid team, it is easy to sometimes get lost in the fray, especially when playing alongside a player like Nick Goshay who has received a lot of the publicity this season. However, Ocasio has been a key factor in the Tarpons being the area's #2 team and currently holding a 22-3 record heading into the district tournament. Averaging right around 15 points and 9 rebounds are very good numbers, and one of the biggest parts he has played for his team is giving them more balance inside offensively and on the boards. Ocasio can step out and hit shots, put the ball on the floor here and there, and run the floor, but he is at his best when within 15 feet and facing up to the basket. When he lets the game come to him and doesn't force it, he is at his best and a very effective weapon on the offensive end of the court.
Dan Wojicki, 6'3, G, 2010 (Lemon Bay)
- The Manta Rays "stand-in point guard" does a great job of leading the team, after the team lost their anticipated starting point guard to injury before the season. Wojicki can do a little bit of everything, from knocking down open shots, beating his defender with his deceptive quickness, to making pin point passes on the move. He has put up solid numbers all year, but with the Manta Rays team play gaudy numbers are not the norm. However, the big guard is a talented player and will look to do his part in the upcoming district 4A-11 tournament.
Brice Smith, 6'2, G, 2010 (Manatee)
- Smith has been the most consistent player for a very talented and deep, although somewhat inconsistent Hurricanes squad this year. On a team that has a large amount of football players playing basketball, Smith is one of the main ones who does not strap on the bads in the fall. Smith had a bunch of games this season with more than 20 points while playing as many as 4 positions, from the point guard spot to guarding bigger players in the post. Had multiple games with 3 or more three-pointers, including a 22 point, 6 trey effort in a loss to #3 Bradenton Christian in the Smoothie King Classic title game. He also had a 24 point/14 rebound effort in a win over St Pete Catholic last week. He can knock down shots from deep in bunches, has decent handles, has good strength, and can get into the paint and finish in traffic. Defensively he can guard a wing or a post player. He will be looking to help the Hurricanes knock off Venice in the semifinals of the 5A-10 district tourney on wednesday night.
Chase Miller, 6'0, G, 2010 (Sarasota Christian)
- Miller has had a great senior season leading the Blazers to a solid year despite losing a lot of key players from last years District Champion team. He stepped right in and made up some of the scoring load lost with Mark DuBois, while also leading the team from the point guard position. He was a big key and even scored his 1,000th career point in a overtime loss to #2 Charlotte on the road. He has shot the ball really well from deep this year, while still excelling in the open court and penetrating the lane. He is hoping to lead the Blazers back to the Regional playoffs again this year, after making a move down to Class 1A, which means they won't have to face Bradenton Christian if they reach the finals but still have a 20-4 Seacrest Country Day squad to get through if they want to get another district title before he graduates.
Brian Lockhart, 5'11, G, 2010 (Port Charlotte HS)
- Lockhart has done a great job of putting up consistent scoring and shooting numbers this season, despite having teams key on him thanks to his sensational summer shooting the ball, making everyone aware of what he is capable of. He is leading the Pirates, who are now 16-9, in scoring this season. The smaller guard is crafty with the ball, and when it comes to shooting, his quick and simple release makes him a very consistent shooter if given even the slightest bit of space. The Pirates will look to pull off a huge upset this Wednesday when they face off against county rival Charlotte in the semifinals of the 5A-10 district tournament. The Tarpons will no doubt keep an eye on Lockhart no matter where he is at on the court, and have seen up close just how hot he can get, as he hit 8 of 9 from deep against them in a summer tournament game. This may not be the summer, but he definitely has the potential to go off at any time.
Casey Bobelis, 6'6, F, 2010 (Braden River HS)
- Bobelis has been outstanding this season for the Pirates. The 6'6 forward is currently averaging 16.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while helping his squad to their second winning season in school history at 15-8 overall, and 5-1 in district play. Bobelis is an active player in and around the paint that uses his length to change shots and gobble in rebounds. He also has the ability to step away from the basket and face up to the basket to either take typical forwards off the bounce, but can also knock down the jumper. Bobelis has range to the arc and shoots it pretty consistently for a bigger guy. He will need to add strength and weight as he moves forward but has some pretty good upside.
Ricardo Barsesa, 6'0, G, 2010 (Mariner HS)
- Barsesa has been a huge key for the Tritons becoming one of the area's more successful team's this season. They are currently 18-7, which is the most wins for Mariner since back in 2002-2003 when St. Joseph's Rob Ferguson roamed the courts. Barsesa is the team's leading scorer at 16 points per game, and is one of the best shooters in SWFL, having made 64 treys so far this season. His best game of the season came against Island Coast, where he knocked down 7 treys on his way to a career-high 35 points. He does a good job of finding open space within the Tritons half-court dribble drive offense, as well as on the break. He has shown he can pull up off the dribble or be a knock down catch and shoot guy. To go along with his great shooting numbers, Barsesa is averaging over 3 rebounds a game which isn't too shabby for a smaller guard. Mariner will need Barsesa, who had been dealing with an injury, to be at his best heading into the district tournament, and if they want to reach the Regional Playoffs for the first time since that 2002-03 when they were 28-2.
Jacquard Hagan, 6'1, G, 2010 (Bishop Verot HS)
- Hagan has been the key to the Vikings late season improvement in consistency. He had struggled at times this season shooting the ball, which hurt his overall scoring average, but has scored 14 or more points in 8 of his last 10 games and has shot the ball a lot better during that same stretch. He went off in back to back games against Baker and then district foe Dunbar pouring in 28 points and then 25 points respectively, hitting on 10 of his 17 three point attempts in those games as well. Hagan is a long and lanky guard who plays hard and is just solid all-around. An able on-ball defender, he will benefit from added weight and strength as he moves forward and once he adds that weight could be really solid if he can find a home at the next level.
Jeff St. Louis, 6'3, WF, 2010 (Immokalee HS)
- St. Louis has been a nice surprise this season to us. We had not seen the Indians a bunch last season, and when we have seen them this year St. Louis's length, athleticism, and activeness has really stood out. He can knock down jumpers from about 16 feet and in comfortably, attack the basket and finish, and has the beginnings of being a solid wing forward if given the opportunity at the next level. He doesn't blow you away with athleticism but we were in attendance this year when he threw down a monsterous contested dunk on the break over a 6'5 defender (we'll leave their name out). But if given one more year at the high school level it would be interesting to see how much better he can get as his upside seems pretty high.
Justin Pascale, 6'1, WG, 2010 (Ida Baker HS)
- After graduating a bunch of seniors from the best team in Ida Baker's young history, the Bulldogs needed some guys to step up in a big way. Well, Pascale has done just that in helping lead his team to their second winning season in school history. His overall averages will not stand out a ton, he's averaging 10.8 points per game so far, but some of his big games include 5 where he scored 20 or more points. In his last two games, against Charlotte in the regular season finale and then against Cape Coral in the district quarterfinal Monday night, Pascale scored 28 and 27 points respectively. Against Charlotte he knocked down 6 from deep and then hit another 3 versus Cape Coral, bringing his total to 51 treys on the year thus far. Pascale will need to keep up his hot shooting to help the Bulldogs knock off district favorite Fort Myers in the Semifinals on Wednesday night.
Trent Wheeler, 6'0, G, 2010 (Cardinal Mooney)
- Wheeler is a crafty guard who just finds a way to put the ball in the hoop, as evident by his 16 points per game this season. He can knock down open jumpshots from deep or the midrange, as well as find crafty ways to get to the basket and finish. He did a good job of leading a small Cardinal Mooney team (outside of 6'5 senior Kyle Stansell) to a solid season, including some close losses and wins against quality area teams.
Christian Tateo, 5'11, PG, 2010 (Lely HS)
- Tateo is part of a three headed senior group for Lely that have put up solid individual numbers this year but havent been able to translate that into a ton of wins for the Trojans. However, when you hit 3 or more treys a game for 11 straight games that is worth mention among local players. He has also averaged 16 points a game over the last 12 games. Tateo runs the point for the Trojans, but is more of just a setup man that then becomes predominantly a shooter once over halfcourt. He also had a stretch of 4 straight games with 5 treys a game up until he broke that streak in the team's regular season finale. The lefty is also a solid passer from the point guard spot. A good sign for the Lely fans heading into their first round matchup with rival Golden Gate in districts is that Tateo has scored a combined 44 points, and hit 12 treys against the Titans in the two games between the teams this year. Trojans lost by just one to Golden Gate last week.
Zack Hornsby, 6'5, WG, 2010 (Lely HS)
- Hornsby has put up solid numbers all year long, despite the Trojans struggling to finish games and grab wins consistently. He is averaging right around 15 points for the season based on the numbers we have. The long and skinny wing is good in open space at finding a way to score, whether it be with floaters, jumpers, or getting all the way to the basket. Has a good understanding of the game as he comes from a strong lineage of hoopsters, and some may remember his older brother Ryan Hornsby was a star in his own right at Lely a few years back. Hornsby will have to be at his best, and may need to be a key motivator for his team against Golden Gate in the district tournament as his production has not been a problem against the Titans this season. He has scored a combined 41 points in two outings with them so far, but its his teammates that will need to step it up.
Tyler Helmick, 6'6, F, 2010 (Lely HS)
- Helmick has finally found his rhythm at the best time of the year. Averaging in the lower double figures in points all season, Helmick has kicked it up a notch at the end of his senior season. The 6'6 forward is averaging 19.8 points and 9 rebounds a game over the final 5 games of the season, including 26 & 11.5 over the final two games. One of those final two games was against Golden Gate, whom he will see again in the district tourney Wednesday night, and a 26 point/10 rebound outing the last time out can only give him confidence against his old mates, as he transferred over to Lely from Golden Gate this summer. They will need that kind of performance again if they are to make up for a disappointing season so far by making it back to the District Championship again this year. A win eliminating rival Golden Gate in itself may put some of the struggles of this season further back in the fans heads.
Local Senior Standouts Flying Under the Radar -Part 2
February 4, 2010
SWFLHoops.com
 | ||||
Site-specific editorial/photos ©2009 SWFL Hoops, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is an unofficial and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school or team. Terms and Conditions Myspace Facebook YouTube Advertise with Us Contact Us About Us
