Tampa, FL (Berkeley Prep) Hoop Fest

Day 2 Games
Huntington Prep 68 vs. Oldsmar Christian 62
Lakewood 59 vs. Bartow 65
Tampa Prep 42 vs. Montverde Academy 77
Berkeley Prep 32 vs. Chicago Simeon (IL) 76

Top 5 Teams
1. Montverde Academy – Made one of Tampa’s top teams look like a junior varsity club. Too fast, too athletic, too long and rangy. Ben Simmons was Big Ben. But the play they got from 7 foot Doral Moore, 7 foot 4 inch Jean Marc Christ Koumadje and SG Blake Harris was unaccounted for. Ben Simmons did not play the entire 4th period and a running clock was placed on the game late in the 3rd period.

2. Huntington Prep – Huntington did a extremely good job controlling the paint and dominating the glass. Oldsmar had a tough time getting uncontested shots in the paint and the Huntington big guys challenged every shot. Thomas Bryant, HP 6-10 center had a field day blocking shots and changing shot selections in the paint.

3. Chicago Simeon (IL) – Pressure, pressure, pressure! This team applies so much defensive pressure, Berkeley struggle to get a shot off during offensive possessions. Offensively they look like they have been playing together for years. Totally in sync and very athletic.

4. Oldsmar Christian – Very good basketball team with good perimeter play. Guard heavy unit that took Huntington Prep to the wire.

5. Tampa Prep – Did not look their best versus national power Montverde Academy. However, they looked much better the night before against Arlington Country Day.

Top 5 Players

1. Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy G was as good as advertised. No need to beat a red horse. Whatever you have heard about the top player in the nation, it’s likely true. Dude can do it all and better than anyone else on the court with him! Dropped 30 points in the first three quarters versus Tampa Prep (24 in the first half). Did not play the entire last period.

2. Anthony Lawrence, Lakewood did “Anthony Lawrence” type stuff once again. Came out super hot, dropping 11 first quarter points vs Bartow. 14 points in the first half. Bartow coaching staff weren’t stupid. They had seen enough of Lawrence. Jackets went to a box-in-one to slow him down. It worked for a little. Then Lawrence got going once again. 7 third-quarter points. 9 fourth-quarter points. Finished the contest with 30 total points.

3. Miles Bridges, Huntington Prep was the most impressive player on the floor the first half. Very aggressive and strong to the hole. Listed at 6-7 swing guard, Miles was a beast. Finished the game with 16 total points and some impressive plays.

4. Call Bartow’s Tony Bradley “The Finisher!” Started off the game quietly as the offense ran through the guards. Just 6 first half points. Once the ball started coming down low in the second half, the points started flowing in. There wasn’t much any defender could do with Bradley in the post. He showed excellent footwork, really good body control and good touch around the rim. Finished the game with 20 points. 14 of those in the second half.

5. Mario Kegler, Arlington Country Day G scored 13 points in the last 2 minutes of the game versus Tampa Prep and his team attempted a late game comeback. Surprisingly athletic, smooth shooter and aggressive!

More Notes

LJ Figuerora, Oldsmar Christian was a pleasant surprise. Smooth, controlled player. Listed at 6-5 and just a sophomore, LJ lead Oldsmar in scoring with 17 points. The majority of his points came in the second half when he started to really warm up.

Ivan Gandia, Huntington Prep SG was 5 of 6 from behind the three-point line. Matter of fact, all 15 of his game points came from the extended distance. He provided a scoring outlet for teammates like Pau Serena and Miles Bridges when they would drive the lane, collapse the defense and kick the ball out. Made Oldsmar pay for leaving him open.

Officially, Oldsmar standout PG Eric Hester finished the game with 12 points. What will not been seen on the stat sheet is how he controlled the flow of the game for Oldsmar and played extremely tough man-to-man defense. Harassed his opponent the majority of the game.

Pau Serena, Huntington Prep G had a dunk fest. Several above the rim finishes in transition. Ended the contest with 10 points unofficially.

Lakewood vs. Bartow: Competitive game that looked like Bartow was going to run away with it early. The fast pace push of the Bartow Yellow Jackets stressed the Spartan defense and led to easy, early transition buckets.

Deyontre Jordan played another complete basketball game. Most consistent player on the floor. Did work inside and outside. 9 first half points and 11 second half points. Really hustled and made every opportunity count.

Kevon Woods, Lakewood had another solid ball game. Good compliment to Anthony Lawrence. Added additional scoring with 11 points.

Bartow’s McKinley Harvin started off fire hot. 3 three-pointers in the first quarter. Cooled off but finished the game with 12 points.

Each Team increased the scoring in the second half. Lakewood scored 32 points in the last two periods. While Bartow edged them out with 34.