We headed back to The Villages to catch another session of the Hoop Vibe Fall League. It was a good trip as we found not only some young players to track but also some sleepers on the verge of breaking out.
Chase Hibbard, Orlando Timber Creek: The 6’4 senior quickly caught our attention as he buried a pair of deep threes early in the contest, then proceeded to show that wasn’t all he could do. Hibbard proved to be a tough driver and finisher in traffic, active rebounder, and physical defender. Oh, and he drained four more three-point shots for good measure. A solid frame and more than decent athletic ability give him a fair chance to play on the next level.
John Phillip Wick, Orlando Timber Creek: A 6’6 sophomore and German exchange student, Wick demonstrated he could play the American-style game. More of an inside than outside performer at this time, Wick played hard with great energy, ran the floor, and made athletic plays at both ends of the court. The lefty has some work to do on making his perimeter shot more reliable and developing his off-hand when it comes to handling the basketball. All in all, it was a good debut for Wick.
Chandler Davison, Ocala Forest: The 6’1 senior stepped up in a big way with Forest’s two main offensive threats unavailable. Not only did Davison connect from behind the arc, he showed he could get into the mid-range, pull-up, and score over defenders. Despite his size, Davison found ways to keep possessions alive on the offensive glass. He put in work on the defensive end, moving his feet quickly in anticipation of the dribble, getting into passing lanes, and rotating quickly to thwart drives.
Lamont Sweeting, Ocala North Marion: The 6’4 senior looks more like a lineman than a hooper, but Sweeting is what we call a “dancing bear”: Despite his size he has nimble feet, is quick to the ball coming off the glass at both ends and simply has a nose for the basketball. Sweeting carves out space inside with his wide frame, has a soft touch, and can put the ball on the floor for a dribble or two and score from the high post and short corner areas. He runs and moves on the court well for a guy his size.
Justice Phillips, Ocala North Marion: The 6’6 senior had a bit of a slow start but heated up as the game went along, draining five shots from deep when all was said and done. Admittedly, Phillips was most effective when he could catch the ball and step into his shot with rhythm. We would like to see more of him off the dribble, attacking the basket, and making the kind of shot vs. pass decisions he will need to make at the next level should he get that opportunity. Phillips has the physical tools (size, length, athletic ability) to make an impact on the game in different areas.
Dallas Oliver, North Tampa Christian: The 6’2 sophomore is a scoring point guard that balances getting teammates involved with providing points. He has a reliable perimeter shot on either side of the arc, gets the ball to open shooters as well as teammates ahead of the pack in transition, and is solid with the ball vs. pressure. Oliver rebounds well from his backcourt spot, is quick to push the pace but also knows when to slow things down and calm the chaos.
Kaiden King, Windermere: The 6’4 sophomore was a bit of a revelation off the bench for Windermere. He quickly got into the action with a pair of steal and scores that ended in emphatic dunks at the other end. A bit later, King drained a three and completed a tough drive in traffic, showing he isn’t intimidated when it comes to challenging defenders. Long, wiry, and active, King plays full throttle and the results speak for themselves.
Bryce Hoeffert, Windermere: The 6’5 junior routinely makes an impact in a game, it just may not always show up in points. Hoeffert doesn’t hunt his shot but moves well without the ball, is alert to get into defensive gaps, and quick to get up shots once he receives the ball in a comfortable scoring position for him. Quick drives, put backs, and transition baskets are frequent basis for his scoring attempts. An excellent passer, active rebounder, and alert defender when it comes to the passing lanes and rotating over to help, Hoeffert plays with a high hoops IQ.
James Nowells, Orlando Olympia: The 6’3 junior was thrust into playing both guard spots on Saturday. While he is noted for his scoring prowess, especially from deep, it won’t surprise if he becomes the de facto point guard for the Titans. He drained four threes (one an “and one”) on Saturday, knocked down a couple of shots closer in and was quick to turn steals into scores. Maybe more importantly going forward was his ability to handle pressure, find the open man, and make the defense pay for extending their defense. We like not only what he is now but what we think he can become with normal development and progression.
Jonathan “J.J.” Watts, Orlando Olympia: The 6’7 junior is a highlight waiting to happen. The crowd went absolutely bonkers when Watts completed a baseline drive with a dunk on the other side of the rim, but he had an equally spectacular score with a finish in transition after making a tough catch and using exquisite body control in traffic to score. Long and bouncy, Watts has the ability to grab a rebound and take the ball the length of the floor for a bucket. Currently, he is a bit better at attacking defenders off the dribble and getting to the basket than rising up and draining perimeter shots, but that should come quickly. There is a great deal of potential there for being a versatile and disruptive defender.
Cordarius White, Gainesville The Rock School: The 6’5 senior was extremely active on Saturday. He was a force to be reckoned with on the glass at both ends of the floor, disruptive in the passing lanes, coming up with several steals, and aggressive in attacking the basket with the dribble in the half-court. It was good to see White play with confidence and that should translate to good things this upcoming season.
Travis Scott, Orlando Edgewater: The 6’0 senior is the calming influence on an Eagle team that is athletic and likes to play fast. Scott is the one to take care of the ball, get the offense set when transition opportunities are not available, and direct teammates when necessary. As a senior, he is demonstrating greater proficiency at putting the ball in the basket, draining shots on either side of the arc at various times in the contest. Active hands and feet make him an annoying defender for the opposition.
Tahj Malone, Orlando Edgewater: The 6’0 sophomore was a revelation in a reserve role for the Eagles on Saturday. A putback bucket sandwiched between a pair of made three-point shots got Malone on the board quickly. Not much later, he stole the ball on consecutive possessions, leading to points. A nifty floater in transition completed a stellar afternoon for Malone from a scoring standpoint. A good athlete with room to grow both physically and skill-wise, Malone is one to keep an eye on going forward.