OTR Hoops: The Gauntlet notebook
2028 Alexis Fuentes | Team Rivera Sports showed plenty of promise all weekend. He runs the floor with purpose and like a gazelle. This small forward finishes at the rim through contact. His IQ for the game is impressive at this age. Fuentes was able to get to his spots and put teammates in tremendous scoring position. His court vision led to passes on a rope. He can score efficiently. Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the spring and summer will look for Fuentes.
2028 | Chase Dorch | North Florida has a skill set many programs look for in a player, the ability to shoot. This young fella has good range. He shot the ball effectively and efficiently. The consistency in which he shot the ball helped open up the mid-range jumper against overly aggressive defenders. He does not force shots and took what the defense gave him. As his game grows it will only make his jumper deadlier.
2028 Calvi Chievlez | South Florida Elite had himself a solid weekend. Sometimes people get caught up in a players offensive activity. Chievlez is a player every team needs. He averaged a double-double (10 points and 17 rebounds). Some will think the latter number is a misprint but it is not. His motor is so elite, which kept on the glass at both ends of the floor. This level of determination will keep him on the floor and in heavy playing rotation.
2028 | Max Whitmer | Florida Blaze is a floor guard who is a determined winner. He handles the ball through contentious pressure. Getting into the lane helped him get 17 points through a variety of finishes. If given a little space, Whitmer is skilled enough to knockdown the open jumper.
2028 | Theo Sylney | North Florida is a multi-dimensional forward. His mental make-up is impressive for a player his age. He battled through foul trouble and persevered through the adverse moments to have solid performances on the floor. Once he adapted to the games pace and flow, Sylney showed the athleticism many described coming into the tournament finishing above the rim. He used that same athleticism to cradle rebounds outside of his area. His offensive game is expanding outside of the paint. Once this part of his game develops look for Sydney to become a two-way force.
2028 | Luigi Martel | Rivera Sports is a shifty who has no problem getting to his spots or others the basketball. He shot the ball well throughout the weekend. His unselfish play was contagious because he encouraged others. He is also a defensive menace keeping opponents in front of him or just simply taking it from them.
2028 | Tamari Roberts | North Florida is the heavy lifter on his team. He carries the responsibility of handling the ball while dealing with pressure. If opponents fall asleep on him he will nail a jumper every single time. Now, when several of those go down, Roberts will mix in getting to the basket and finishes in traffic well. His game is essential to the teams success.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.