We took in a pair of Fall Leagues this past Saturday. While our time was short at each one, there was still plenty of quality players and competition.
XBL Fall League Orlando
The XBL Fall League is an institution in the Tampa Bay area, and the organizers felt the time was right to bright that type competitive atmosphere up I-4 to Orlando.
The first game featured Orlando West Oaks Academy out of the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association taking on St. Petersburg Gibbs, defending Class 4A state champion and with everyone back from last season, a huge favorite to repeat. Both teams have quality players that are or will be recruited by colleges at various levels.
The first quarter was very competitive and physical with the pace was fast and ferocious. After the ten-minute running clock period ended, West Oaks was up by a point, 17-16. In the second quarter, West Oaks’ depth of talent and size allowed them to take a lead of 37-26 at the break. The Flame continued to exert their dominance in the second half, stretching their lead over the span of both quarters to win comfortably 72-49.
West Oaks’ wealth of talent and tenacity will make them tough to beat in the SIAA this season. Marcis Ponder, a 6’11 junior, is a presence in the paint at both ends of the floor. Junior guards Jayden Joseph, 6’2, and Willie Burnett, 6’4, are potent scorers that can take turns running the offense. Each is a long-armed, active hands and feet defender. Kiffen Teixeira, a 6’5 senior out of Angola, is a jack of all trades type that comes up big at the right time with a putback, steal, or bucket in the flow of the offense. Throw in 6’6 senior T.J. Barrie, 6’8 senior Emmanuel Kamara, and 6’7 senior Flamio Mateus as forwards that rebound, run the floor, and play with great effort at both ends, and West Oaks has the size, depth, and talent that a lot of colleges would love to have.
Despite the score of the game, Gibbs is still going to be a top ten team in the FHSAA regardless of classification. DePaul commit and 7’0 senior Isaiah Medina has become a much more effective offensive player. He can step away from the basket and make shots. Bobby Crawford, a 6’7 senior, is subtly effective, using his length and leaping ability to score inside, control the glass at both ends, challenge shots, and defend a variety of positions. Jacob Daniels, a 6’0 senior, is a potent scorer that also runs the offense with a steady hand. O’Neal Delancey, a 6’3 sophomore, makes shots on both sides of the arc, gets to the basket quickly and scores through contact. He also puts in the work on the defensive end as well. Gibbs was missing Mathis Roberts due to football but 6’4 sophomore Ronald Williams was a near mirror image of Roberts with his ability to slash and score at the basket and rebound well for his size against bigger opponents. Add in 6’10 junior Mike Broxton off the bench that is a more than serviceable big man, and Gibbs has the type of size, athleticism, and talent to repeat.
The second game featured Orlando Edgewater against Orlando Downey Christian out of the SIAA. It looked like Edgewater was going to make a statement after the first quarter ended with Edgewater up 19-8. Downey was able to slow Edgewater down in the second quarter after switching to a zone. The score was only 26-18 at the break. Downey was still in the game, down just 39-30 at the end of the third period. Downey extended their defense and made a run, cutting the margin to four as the game got closer to the end. Edgewater was able to hold on to win by the score of 49-43.
Edgewater has a lot of depth and uses it. The Class 6A finalist from last season certainly has the talent to make it back to Lakeland and are taking on a tough schedule this season to prepare for another playoff run. Darius Washington III, a 6’4 senior, will play a key part. Saturday saw Washington making plays for others as well as himself, make good shot vs. pass decision on drives, connecting on deep jumpers, and terrorizing the passing lanes on defense. Myles Mayfield, a 6’7 senior, uses his length and leaping ability to grab rebounds, finish inside, and challenge shots on defense. Dillon Foster, a 6’1 senior, pushes the tempo, proved he can make open perimeter shots to loosen the defense and is an active on-ball defender. Ethan Simon, a 6’7 senior, and Jacari Lofton, a 6’4 junior, make an impact on offense by putting back missed shots, scoring around the basket, and running the floor in transition.
Downey didn’t have the talent of Edgewater nor its depth. However, Patrick Olajuwon, a 6’7 senior, is a guy worth paying to see. An active athlete, he is quick off the court for rebounds at both ends, is a highlight reel waiting to happen in transition, and plays hard on defense, coming up with a lot of steals that are quickly converted into resounding dunks at the other end.
Buffalo Stampeders Fall Jamboree
This event was held at The Villages and while our time there was short, we saw a pair of young teams that will be both dangerous now and in the future.
In the first game, The Villages jumped out quickly on an outmanned Winter Garden West Orange squad. The Villages was up 39-19 at the break and the final margin of victory was such that we don’t want to mention it.
At this point, The Villages only has one senior but 6’1 Aydin Corbin is solid at the point. The lefty does a good job of controlling game tempo, finding teammates for good shots on the break or when driving to the basket, makes open perimeter shots and puts in effort when guarding the ball. Nate Britt, a 6’0 sophomore, is a tough cover thanks to his ability to shoot the ball from deep, score over the defense with floaters in the lane, and get the ball to open shooters when penetrating the defense. Both Corbin and Britt are effective at either guard spot. Ethan Bevis, a 6’3 junior, opened eyes with his ability to make perimeter shots, compete on the glass effectively at his size, and make the smart and simple plays that lead to winning. Jomar Bernard, a 6’6 sophomore, is a smooth scorer with a quick first step, good body control and touch in a crowd around the rim, and the ability to create and make his own shot inside the three-point line. Hurley Brutus, a 6’6 junior, is impressive in his ability to control a game without forcing the action on the offensive end. A long and active defender, his ability to double-team the ball, recover back to his man, challenge shots and disrupt passing lanes is uncommon at this level. Brutus is also a good creator on offense with his ability to see the floor and get the ball quickly to the open man. He tends to score mostly on opportunity baskets such as putbacks and in transition but if necessary he can go and get his. Once 6’8 junior Kymani Weathers returns from injury in December/ January, The Villages will have more than enough pieces to make a run in a deep and talented Class 3A.
The second game found Orlando Olympia taking on Haines City. Olympia jumped out early and led 38-23 at the break. With one quarter left to play, the Titans were up 51-31 and looked to be cruising. At that point, Haines City broke out a full-court press and mounted a comeback. Olympia was able to hold on and win but only by nine, 66-57.
If opponents are going to get Olympia they better do it now. With a quartet of very talented sophomores, they will be a problem the next couple of seasons if they can stay together. With a team this young, a steady hand is needed. That is just what 6’2 senior Nick Blake provides. He won’t blow away opponents or onlookers with athleticism but he is savvy, takes care of the ball, and makes shots. James Nowell, a 6’2 sophomore, is wired to score. He looks to challenge the defense at every opportunity, gets to the line frequently, and can knock down open perimeter shots. Kevin Edou, a 6’5 sophomore, is a positionless bundle of energy that just goes out, plays hard, and makes positive things happen for his team. Bishop Wenze, a 6’6 sophomore, rebounds, runs the floor, and looks to have developing ball-skills. He is quick off the floor to rebounds and is fast up the court in transition. Jonathan (J.J.) Watts is a 6’7 sophomore wing that oozes talent. Long and athletic, he has ball-skills, can rebound and push the ball up the floor on his own, knock down perimeter shots, and create off the dribble for himself and teammates. The Titans have the potential to be one of the more exciting teams in Central Florida for the next three seasons.