The Hoop Exchange held its annual Fall Festival at The Big House in Tavares this past weekend. With over 100 high school teams from all over the state taking part, it was not possible to take in every moment of action from the nine courts. We focused on select games with high caliber talent and were not disappointed.
SATURDAY
Game One: Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian vs Bradenton IMG Academy
Both teams have exceedingly high expectations this coming season and both teams came in a bit short-handed. Cayden Daughtry of Calvary was on a visit to Florida while the interior tandem of juniors Dylan Betts and Bentley Lusakueno of IMG did not make the trip.
Calvary got things going in its favor early, leading 14-7 just past the midway point of the first quarter and 20-11 heading into the second period. Calvary kept that nine-point advantage thru the first four minutes but IMG closed out the quarter with a 13-2 run to lead 37-35 at the break.
That run continued at the start of the third period, with IMG’s lead growing to 49-35 with just under five minutes to play. Calvary was simply unable to keep up the pace that IMG had set. IMG would ultimately win big by the score of 85-55.
IMG was led by 6’7 senior Josh Leonard with 27 points while 6’4 senior Jordan Page added 15 points.
Calvary was paced by 6’2 junior Lunden Knights with 14 points and 6’1 senior James Nowells with 13 points.
Game Two: Miami Columbus vs. Wellington Sports Academy National
Columbus is looking to extend its state title streak to six this season but that will most likely have to come in the new Open Division. Wellington Sports Academy is looking to replicate the success of programs like Prolific Prep, Montverde Academy and others.
Columbus cranked out a 9-0 run to open the game, led 13-3 midway through the opening period and led 21-14 heading into the second quarter. The Explorers’ lead was eight, 25-17 with four minutes to go and then Wellington made a run. They closed out the half with a 10-4 run to trail just 29-27 at the break.
Wellington took its first lead at 33-31 at the 6:30 mark of the third period. The teams would exchange leads multiple times during the period. Entering the final quarter, Wellington led 48-46. With four minutes to play in the game, Wellington led by one, 51-50. That would be their last lead as Columbus closed out the game with an 8-0 run to win 58-51.
Columbus got a big contribution from 7’0 senior Akol Nyak with 17 points. Juniors Tai Bell, 6’2 and Martin Sibol, 7’2, each added 16 points.
For Wellington National, Quinton Wilson, a 6’3 junior, led the way with 15 points while Romelo Hill added 13 points.
Game Three: Hialeah Mater Lakes vs. Orlando Oak Ridge
Both teams play with great pace and have multiple college prospects on their respective rosters. The first quarter was played at a tempo that made it difficult to take notes and keep up with the action. After one quarter, Mater Lakes led by a point, 25-24. The pace slowed down just a bit in the second period and the lead changed hands often. At the break, Oak Ridge was now in control, up 41-38.
Midway through the third quarter, Oak Ridge opened up a 52-46 margin but when the horn sounded, the teams were tied at 60-60 entering the final quarter. It was anybody’s game at the 3:30 mark with Oak Ridge up by just three at 73-70. At that point, Oak Ridge erupted, closing out the game with a 13-7 run to win by nine, 86-77.
Jahmar Smith, a 6’4 junior, plowed his way to a game-high 31 points. He got plenty of help from 5’10 senior Whit Bynoe with 19 points and 6’8 senior Bishop Winze with 15 points.
For Mater Lakes, Tennessee Tech commit Miguel Orbe, a 6’2 senior, dropped in 24 points. Caio Leopaldo, a 6’6 sophomore added 14 points while 6’5 sophomore Delan Montgomery tallied 13 ponts.
Game Four: Bartow vs Miami Palmetto
Both teams rely on solid guard play and Bartow used their speed and quickness to great affect in leading 13-11 after one period of play. Palmetto was able to turn things its way in the second quarter, holding Bartow scoreless and taking a 24-13 lead into the break.
Palmetto looked in complete control in the third quarter and led by the score of 43-29 with one period remaining. Bartow finally found its rhythm in the fourth but was still down seven, 48-41, with 3:30 remaining. At that point, Bartow ripped off nine straight points to take a 50-48 lead with one minute left to play. Palmetto got fouled on a putback attempt with eight seconds left. Palmetto connected on both free throws and we headed into a one-minute overtime tied at 50-50.
Palmetto got on the board in OT first with a pair of free throws. When Bartow turned the ball over on its resulting possession, they were forced to foul. Once again Palmetto connected from the charity stripe. Bartow was unable to score on its final possession and Palmetto held on for a 54-50 win.
Palmetto was led by 6’4 senior Samfree Sarante with 24 points. Sebastian Modara, a 6’6 senior, added 11 points.
For Bartow, James Ratteree, a 6’1 junior, led them with 22 points.
Game Five: Miami Riviera Prep vs Fleming Island
With the previous game running late, we were not able to get to this one until halftime. Riviera Prep had a multi-possession lead at the break and with five minutes left in the third period was up 42-33. At that point, Riviera Prep ran away with the contest, leading 58-35 heading into the final period. Fleming Island was unable to put up much resistance, and Riviera Prep won convincingly 77-51.
Quincy Douby, a 6’5 senior, led Riviera Prep with 18 points. His backcourt mate, 6’0 senior C.J. Westbrook, added 14 points while 6’9 senior Jeremy Jenkins finished with 12 points.
Fleming Island got 14 points from 6’7 senior Carson Crawford and 13 points from 6’4 sophomore Gavin Youmans.
We caught the final minutes of Orlando Oak Ridge and Wellington Sports Academy after this one. The game went into OT with the teams tied at 76-76. Bishop Winze scored inside to give Oak Ridge the win after Wellington misfired on the first possession of overtime.
Game Six: Orlando The First Academy vs. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
Both teams have a good dose of talent and size but the play was a bit sluggish to open up the game with the score just 7-6 in favor of Westminster. The pace picked up a bit from there and Westminster led 18-12 heading into the second quarter. TFA owned that period, outscoring Westminster 15-5 to lead 27-23 at the break.
Midway through the third quarter, TFA’s lead was 35-30. At that point, Westminster was able to seize momentum and grabbed a one-point lead, 38-37, heading into the fourth. Westminster was able to maintain control from that point on, winning by the score of 57-53.
D.J. Gaines, a 6’0 senior, led Westminster with 21 points. Kimario Sherman, a 7’2 senior, added 14 points.
TFA was led by 6’0 senior Cory McPherson with 30 points.
Game Seven: Jacksonville Andrew Jackson vs. Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson
Early on, it looked like Boyd Anderson might run away with this one, leading 15-8 after the first four minutes. After a timeout, Jackson got things squared away and was down just one, 17-16, heading into the second quarter. BA adjusted out of the break and re-assumed control. The Cobras led by six at the half 30-24.
BA continued to control momentum in the third quarter and led 45-38 with one more quarter to play. With four minutes left, things looked good for BA, up 50-42. At that point, Jackson unleashed an 8-0 run, tying the game at 50-50 with one minute left to play. BA responded, getting a three-point play with forty-one seconds left. Jackson came up empty on a tying three-point attempt and had to foul. BA made both foul shots. Jackson’s final shot attempt was off and Boyd Anderson snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 55-50 win.
Brandon Jean, a 6’3 senior, led Boyd Anderson with 15 points.
Kivory Jones, a 6’0 sophomore, led Jackson with 16 points.
Game Eight: Jacksonville Impact Christian vs Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy
It looked like Westminster might have an easy one on its hands early, leading 17-10 after one period of play. That wasn’t the case in the second quarter as Impact Christian stormed back and tied the game at 25-25 at the break.
The Westminster players got the message and came out surging in the third quarter. Impact Christian was unable to respond and Westminster ended up winning by double-digits, 69-55.
Once again, it was D.J. Gaines leading Westminster with 23 points.
CeJay McKnight, a 6’2 senior, paced Impact Christian with 15 points, all from beyond the arc.
Game Nine: Gainesville Oak Hall vs Miami Belen Jesuit
This game got started early so once again we were only able to cover the second half. Belen was up ten at the break, 35-25. Oak Hall used its physical advantages to trim that margin to seven, 53-46, heading into the final period. Belen was able to build its margin back to ten, 59-49, with four minutes remaining. Oak Hall didn’t go away and made a real run to nearly take the game. Belen was able to hang on and win by the score of 67-63.
Orlando Roche, a 6’3 senior, had ten second half points for Belen.
Willie Brooks, a 6’3 senior had twelve second half points for Oak Hall.