The tournament is still going on but we’ve returned to Source Hoops Home Base to prepare for Santa’s arrival. We got to see every team in the CoP play at least once, so here are some thoughts on some of the better performers based in the Sunshine State.
Cayden Daughtry, Clearwater Calvary Christian: The 6’1 junior had 28 points in an opening night victory over Owasso from OK then 23 points in a quarter-final loss against one of the better teams in the country in Paul VI out of the DC Catholic league. He is able to overcame a lack of size and strength right now with his ability to knock down shots well past the high school three-point line as well as find ways to penetrate the defense and make plays, either for himself or others. Daughtry was quite efficient in his offense, shooting 50+% from the field over the course of those two contests.
Caleb Gaskins, Miami Christopher Columbus: The 6’8 senior and Miami commit had 23 points in an opening round loss to Principia out of Missouri in a bit of a mild upset, then followed that up with 30 points against St. John Bosco out of California in the consolation bracket. The game against SJB had Gaskins matched up with top ten recruit Christian Collina and Gaskins more than held his own in leading the Explorers to the win. As expected, his mid-range game was impactful. Gaskins got to his spots for clean looks with regularity. He also rebounded well and was committed at the defensive end playing against another big-time player. Gaskins shot well over 50% from the floor over the course of the two games.
Marcellous “Cello” Jackson, Miami Christopher Columbus: The 6’2 senior and Memphis commit had 17 points in the Principia loss and 16 points in the win over Saint John Bosco. He uses his strength and ball-skills to get to wherever he needs to go on the court. He showed good court-vision and decision making in those first two contests. Jackson had seven rebounds in each of those contests displaying an ability to play bigger than his size and toughness against bigger opponents. He too was efficient from the field, averaging over 50% in those games.
Dhani Miller, Montverde Academy: The 6’2 senior is an absolute steal for Kent State out of Ohio. In leading the Eagles to victories over Gillion Academy of Virginia and Prolific Prep of Fort Lauderdale to win the Signature Series bracket, Miller more than suppressed any doubts about his game. On a talented Eagles team, he paced them with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Gillion Academy. In the team’s upset win over Prolific Prep on Sunday afternoon, he once again led the team in scoring with 21 points. Miller does all this while running the team from the point guard spot. He has a lot on his plate: scoring, distributing, and spearheading the defense, among other things.
James Nowells, Orlando Olympia: The 6’2 junior led the team with 20 points in an opening round loss to Notre Dame from Connecticut in the first round of the Sunshine Series on Saturday. He was amazing against Lakeland Victory Christian the following day, going for 32 points and 6-9 from deep in the win. His strong frame somewhat belies his soft touch from deep, but he knows how to use his strength to get to and finish at the basket. If need be, Nowells can take over the point guard role, initiate offense, and get teammates involved. He rebounds well and puts in effort on defense.
Nasir Anderson, Fort Lauderdale Prolific Prep: The 6’2 junior may be the best point guard in the national Class of 2027. He had 17 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds on 6-8 shooting, including 2-2 from deep in the opening round Signature Series game against CIA Bella Vista out of Arizona and the EYBL Scholastic league. In the Signature Series title game against Montverde Academy, he struggled with the outside shot and finished with 10 points. Known for getting to the basket and scoring in traffic, Anderson is tough to keep out of the lane thanks to his combination and strength and quickness. He finishes well with either hand at the rim and has a lot of dribble combination moves that he can throw at defenders to make his way to the basket.
Bruce Branch III, Fort Lauderdale Prolific Prep: The 6’7 senior was arguably the best “NBA Prospect” in the event. He is a long wing with excellent offensive skills and a high basketball IQ. Branch had 14 points, and 8 rebounds on 4-8 shooting in the win over CIA Bella Vista. He had an efficient 16 points and 5 rebounds against Montverde Academy, going 7-10 from the field. Branch III is a versatile defender, high level athlete, and is consistent in his approach to the game. On a lesser team he could be “the man” and average a ton of points but in this environment, he has shown that he can produce efficiently and effectively in either a starring or complementary role.
Caleb Holt, Fort Lauderdale Prolific Prep: The 6’6 Holt was arguably the top-rated senior in attendance and definitely looked the part. The chiseled wing got off to a good start against CIA Bella Vista, going for a game-high 27 points while connect on 4-6 from behind the arc. In the Signature Series title game, Hold did everything he could to get a “W” with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals, all team highs. He plays with great energy and effort, is active at both ends of the court when it comes to pursuing rebounds, creates and makes his own shot and is solid both on and off the ball as a defender.
Clarence Westbrooke, Jr., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas: The 6’1 junior has become the Raiders “go to” guy with his ability to score from mid-range against defenders of various sizes. He had 23 points on 10-17 shooting from the field in the opening Sunshine Series game against Victory Christian out of Lakeland. In the title game loss to Notre Dame, he surpassed the previous days effort with 25 points. Though a bit thin and not yet displaying the point guard instincts for a player his size, Westbrooke has a winning DNA, is an instinctive scorer, and shouldn’t have any problem running an offense once the additional strength comes with another year or two of physical maturity. For right now with STA, he is called upon to score and does a very good job of it.
Johnny Lackaff, Sarasota: The Sailors had a tough go of it in their first two games, facing nationally rated Archbishop Stepinac that had much more size in game one and then an athletic and gritty Imhotep Charter squad. Lackaff put up good numbers against Stepinac, finishing with 26 points on 9-18 shooting from the field which included 5-12 from deep. A quick turnaround to the first game Friday morning saw 14 points and less efficiency but Lackaff was still the team’s offensive catalyst. Every perimeter shot looks like it is going in, he doesn’t fear contact when attacking the basket and moves well without the ball. Lackaff puts in the effort to defend and rebound.
Aaron Britt, The Villages Charter: A 6’1 junior, Britt is quick and crafty with the ball, has a reliable perimeter shot, and has a scorer’s mentality. He led the team with 23 points in a first round win over St. John Bosco of California, going 5-10 from deep in the process. Britt finished with 12 points in the quarter-final loss to Archbishop Stepinac. While the shooting efficiency wasn’t there, we were encouraged by his 4-to-1 assist/turnover ratio in that game. That isn’t something one sees often from guys with Britt’s scoring mindset. The Villages are a talented team and Britt is called upon to not only score but make the game easier for his teammates. He seemingly improves in that area every time we see him play.
Tucker Fox, Lakeland Victory Christian: It was a tough two games for Victory Christian in the Sunshine Series. Fox had 14 points in the opening loss vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, then 17 points against Olympia in the consolation game the next day. Fox’s calling card is his ability to shoot from deep and he has proven that he can make that shot off the dribble as well as the catch. He moves non-stop on offense to get open, will penetrate if over-played for the shot, and is alert to get the ball to open teammates for good shot opportunities.