From the Sidelines

Talk of the Town

2024 G Nate Boakye - Jesuit

There are a lot of discussions about who the best PG in the county is, and plenty of names have a case, but Nate Boakye has an argument for the top spot. He’s a consistent presence on both ends of the floor from start to finish, with a dog mentality. There is no backdown in his game, and he goes into every match-up believing he is the best player on the floor… and many times, he is! The downhill guard has a herky-jerky game that puts defenders in a bind. His combination of head fakes, hesitations, and off-speed finishes, makes him a unique match-up. Defenders consistently try to read and time his moves, but he’s patient and waiting for them to make a mistake. Nate takes real pride in the defensive end of the floor, playing a physical and opportunistic style of defense from baseline to baseline. His harassing pressure on the ball and his motor make him a big-time defensive presence that wears on you as the game progresses.

Talk of the Town

2024 G Jordin Bell - Brooks-DeBartolo

Jordin is a true scorer in its purest form, running the 2-guard for Brooks-Debartolo. He's a lights-out shooter off the catch; if you give him just a tiny sliver of space, the ball goes into the basket. He has great versatility in playing with and without the ball in his hand. He's a shifty guard who can get wherever he wants to his spots efficiently without any wasted movement or dribbles. Few guards in the area can match his natural scoring ability with the complete package of finishes at the rim and shot-making ability at multiple levels. Sidestep, spin move, step-back, he's got it all in his repertoire. There is no predicting what he will do with the ball; defenders are at his mercy. He's the prototype 2-Guard in today's games, and they don't come along very often. He's been lighting up opposing defenses throughout the season, consistently rising to the occasion.

Talk of the Town

2023 G Damian Jones - Plant City

Damian Jones might be the definition of a tough cover. With great speed, size, and strength, he has all the physical tools required to be a collegiate point guard. With a full head of steam, there are very few guys that can keep him from getting to his spots. Defenders tend to bounce off him, and he never breaks stride penetrating the opposing defenses. He’s the engine that drives the Plant City offense. His consistency in keeping defenses on their heels allows them to play with pace. Just when you think he’s only going to the rim, he’s got no hesitation to pull up and shoot the ball over the top from range. There is no one way to match up with him, and it takes a complete team effort to slow him down. Damian is great at making reads off the bounce, finding the right shot for his team repeatedly. He’s the guy you want with the ball in his hands down the stretch, unafraid to take the big shot and consistently make the best decision for his team. Those same physical attributes that make him a constant threat on the offensive end are twofold on the other side of the ball. Damian is a disruptive defender on the ball, putting opposing guards in a straight jacket. He’s too quick to get around and too strong to go through. He’s the head of their snake defensively and doesn’t back down. Look for Plant City to make a run as deep as his leadership, and stellar play takes them throughout the playoffs.

Talk of the Town

2023 W Karmello Branch - Wharton

The year's breakout star is definitely 6'5" W Karmello Branch at Wharton High school. A change of scenery for this season has allowed the city to see the full breadth of his talents, being thrust into a much more significant role and proving himself to be one of the best players in the county. The senior has a highly versatile inside-outside skillset on the offensive end of the ball. With his big frame and excellent ball skills, he plays all five positions on the floor for Wharton this year. In open space, his off-speed game allows him to lull defenders to sleep. He's a kid you don't want to be on an island defending; his series of hesitation moves and head fakes makes him so tough to stay disciplined against. The forward size and guard skills on the perimeter make him a threat to explode past defenders, whether on the perimeter or in the post. Branch shoots the 3 with high efficiency, able to shoot over smaller defenders, putting up points in a hurry. A large part of Wharton's success this season is undoubtedly due to the emergence of Karmello, and he is set for success down the final stretch of his high school career and at whatever program is lucky enough to claim him next year.

Talk of the Town

2023 G Eddrin Bronson - Tampa Catholic

You wanna talk about hard to guard!! Very few guys in the state can say they give opposing defenders more trouble than Eddrin Bronson. The senior guard and Furman signee is a true 3-level scorer who can play either guard spot. There isn't a spot on the floor where he can't get a highly efficient shot. At 6'3" with ball skills, he's most deadly when in attack mode, putting defenders on their heels, unsure what part of his game to take away. With great size and a beautiful pull-up jumper, he's the complete package. Ed is most dangerous when he can get to his pull-up game. With a flurry of shifty moves, he can create rhythm and separation to knock down tough shots at any moment. His great size at the guard spot allows him to guard multiple positions. He's havoc in passing lanes, creating fast break opportunities where he and his teammates seem to be at their best. Eddrin is one of my favorite guys to watch, from his smooth demeanor to his knack for hitting big-time shots. He's worth the price of admission by himself.

Talk of the Town

2023 W Woody Machado - Alonso

Woody Machado is a one-of-a-kind type of kid. I have never seen a perimeter player with a motor like this at this level. Playing hard has become a lost art, a particular skill not lost on Woody. You would think there were two of him on the court because he flies around on both sides of the ball. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for Woody and his skill set. He's a well-rounded two-way player with very few holes in his game. He plays a downhill, aggressive attacking style offensively. When his feet are set, he is a knockdown shooter from the perimeter, making him so tough to guard. Woody is relentless on the glass, constantly attacking the rim, and with an excellent second and third jump. His length and athleticism make him a nightmare for opposing ball handlers on the perimeter. You never get a chance to relax because he hounds the ball from start to finish. Whenever his opponents take a mental break, he's there to capitalize on their mistakes time and time again. Woody can be an instant impact kid on the next stage in his basketball career. The combination of a willingness to do all the dirty work, guard the best players and still be a significant threat on the offensive end of the floor.

Talk of the Town

2024 W Ramone Seals - SLAM

Calling Ramone a man amongst boys seems like an understatement and a discredit to him and his skill set. Ramone is an absolute freak of nature. At 6'5", the junior wing has the size and ability to play any of the perimeter positions at this level. The highlight of his game is the highlight reel-worthy athleticism and power when he gets out in the open court. There is much more to his game than his thunderous dunks. Ramone has a balanced mix of power and finesse, getting to the basket no matter the matchup. He's bigger, stronger than smaller guards that try to pressure him, and way too athletic and quick for stronger wings who try to play him physically. You do not often find this combination of speed, skill, and physicality. He's grown significantly as a playmaker with the ball in his hands this year. Making it extremely difficult for teams to deal with him. At the point of attack, he can see the floor and make the right play for himself and others. He has an intriguing future as a primary ball handler, or he can be just as much a threat playing on the wing, slashing through the lane and eating up opposing defenses. He has a college-ready body already and is only going to be a better athlete as he continues to mature with age. Ramone will undoubtedly be a stud at the next level. It's only a matter of time before he takes that next big step in his development as a player.

Talk of the Town

2023 W Will Willard - Plant High

Will Willard has a case for the best shooter in Hillsborough County. The Eckerd College signee is the real deal when he lets it fly from behind the arc. With a quick trigger and deep range, he can efficiently get his shot off from anywhere. He's not a one-dimensional player by any stretch, he lets his shooting ability open up the floor for him to be an effective scorer at multiple levels. He is the stabilizing factor for this Plant squad. Whenever they need a big play, he is able to answer the call. Will is a high-IQ player who moves so well off the ball that he requires constant attention. Playing off screens, backdoor cutting overplays, running the floor in transition. He puts so much pressure on a team's game plan. He has a ready-made game for him to be effective at the next level. Can't wait to see the impact he will have collegiately.

Talk of the Town

2023 G George Kimble - Berkeley Prep

Berkeley Prep has a gem in this combo guard. He's got solid size and strength, and he is a big-time scorer at all three levels. He plays with poise and maturity beyond his years. An absolute problem for any defender when he gets them on their heels. A slick combination of quick-twitch moves with the ball in his hands allows him to get to his spots on the floor with relative ease. George is a defender's worst nightmare with a pull-up jumper that he can get off anytime from everywhere on the court. With that deadly combination, he can get going at any moment, putting up points at high efficiency. A sneaky above-the-rim athleticism can have him catching defenders if they challenge him too late. I love his grit and intensity; he rises to the moment and makes his best play when the lights are brightest. Berkeley Prep has a chance in almost any matchup when he plays at his best.

Talk of the Town

2024 W Karter Knox - Tampa Catholic

Karter Knox is the real deal, simple and plain. The best way to define this kid is that he is an absolute stud. A 6'5" Wing, Karter is on track to be one of the best players to come through the bay area. Offensively there are very few holes in his game, an athlete with great size and build to him and able to score at all three levels. Karter checks the boxes across the board, able to shoot the ball from the three-point line at a high clip. He's a pure shooter of the basketball with good form and solid footwork, knocking down perimeter shots off the catch or on the move. With a strong and solid body frame, he can take bumps and contact to finish at the rim and has no problems punching it above the rim as well. He rebounds well for his size and can defend multiple positions when he decides to sit down in a stance. Karter has unlimited potential in his game; as he matures and continues to grow, there is no telling where he will end up. One thing that is for sure about Karter is that he is not someone you want to miss out on the chance to see; he is showtime every time he steps on the court.