Lee County Roundball Classic notebook

Lee County Roundball Classic notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Leesburg, GA – The ninth annual Roundball Classic, hosted by Lee County, has been a staple in South Georiga. This three-day event played right after Christmas where teams from around the connecting states and county come for the intense atmosphere provided inside the Trojans gym. These passionate fans are on top of you looking to watch some good competition.

This fields teams generated tremendous matchups. Langston Hughes drove down from Fulton County and captured the Black Bracket Championship over the host school. Fort Lauderdale won the Red Bracket Championship over Ocoee High, in an all-Florida matchup. Both title games were played as a berth to the state championship was on the line.

The games leading up to the finals were electric and set the tone. Here are some observations from the past few days.

Langston Hughes will make some noise as its steps into region play. The Panthers are still learning under new head coach Elliott Montgomery, who is demanding these players to play with another level of grit. Over the three-days these players showed sparks of grasping his style of play. Jaron LeMelle was named the tournament MVP of the Black Bracket being a dominating presence inside for the Panthers. There are moments he was the best player on the floor. Ethan Carter and Jayden London gives Langston Hughes an interior trio that can be hard to stop. Then you add the backcourt of Andrew Taylor and Addison Dyer is the reason the Panthers have gone 5-1 since the start of December. Langston Hughes didn’t just win a title, it had a chance to see what it will take to win the region under Montgomery.

Fort Lauderdale High started out slow in the final game, but never folded. The Broward County squad were led by Reggie Cleveland, who was named the Red Bracket MVP. This 6-foot-5 wing refused to let the Flying L’s give up. He was relentless on both ends of the floor. His level of energy was contagious as players like Antonio Bonami, Rawle Farose, and Adler Olweean provided the guard play needed to snatch the title from Ocoee High.

Host school Lee County had its hands full in the finals. They were playing a stronger, taller, and grittier program in Langston Hughes. There were a few players who were up to the task all tournament for the Trojans. Braden Moore, an unsigned floor general, had some solid moments in scoring and distributing the basketball. He was able to create for others while also scoring at a high clip. Matthew Hartwick put together a consistent level of play inside all tournament. He showed he could stretch the floor from the perimeter while being a menace inside. Kam Sanders, who is headed to Air Force, was flying high on the class and showed he was a perimeter threat. The Trojans workhorse is and was Ousmane Kromah, who was named to the all-tournament team. Kromah, a Florida State football signee, was relentless on the glass. He showed the athleticism and strength to guard any position on the floor.

Those selected to the All-Tournament team were names nominated by the high school coaches and event coordinators. Each of these players had solid individual performances, which garnered the post tournament recognition.

The names on the honorable mention list are a slew of names we felt played really well over the course of the weekend. Many of them are names you will hear about not only from this event but later on this season or next. They are some of the glue which every team needs on the roster.

Ocoee High is a program from Orlando with a lot of grit. Princeton Gordon is a 6-foot-6 forward with the versatility to play inside and out. He showed off the skills to pass the ball and the ability to mix things up. His presence on the floor for the Knights helps the offense flow. Gordon is a player with a solid IQ and feel for the game who does not realize how much better he could be if some of the details were cleaned up. Ashton Billings shot the ball exceptionally well. This point guard handled pressure with the calm of a captain navigating rough seas. He is an underrated player who should garner more looks college programs see his value.

Dougherty High showed it is a team not looking to shy away from a challenge. The Trojans started out fast with the play of Jawuan Jinks, who was electrifying scoring the ball. He shifted defenses and showed he could score the ball at any given time. His brother, Kaleke Singletary-Jinks, is a throwback player who plays hard going downhill and can post up small guards. This duo will be the key for the Trojans moving forward after this tournament.

Long County High was an intriguing group. The Blue Tide played hard and scrappy. They were led by a poised and good looking player in Zyi’Air Holt. He is a forward on the roster who can be effective on the wing. His feel for the game allowed for him to make plays for others. He does not necessarily need to have a played called for him in order to be effective. Jy’son Mallard is a point guard, who is growing into the position. He had some moments during the tournament. The Blue Tide needs to rise as it embarks on its region play.

Florida’s Stranahan High has a roster loaded with juniors. This Fort Lauderdale team showed the future is bright in moments. Esron Simeon was a bully of guard who scored the ball with ease all week. Christian Yeargin is a scoring machine. He is strong and aggressive. Add in David Neeley, who is a menace on defense, the Florida team had a nice trio of players on the floor capable of carrying the team individual.

Worth County High’s Ashton Williams came in with plenty of buzz. The teams leading scorer, who dropped 50 points earlier this season, averaged just over 30 points a game. Teammates Grant Juster and James Raymond are intriguing. Juster is a wiry 6-foot-6 forward with a good tough from the perimeter and plenty of athleticism to finish above the rim. Raymond is a hard nose skilled guard, who plays well off the ball and is not afraid to guard any player on the floor.

Lake Minneola High’s Tyrell Thomas is a 6-foot-6 forward many college programs will be interested in this spring and summer. He has a tremendous motor and skills that jump off the floor. His game is to get things done no matter what is going on. Among all the forwards in the tournament, Thomas showed the most promise because of his feel for the game.

Cairo High’s Jy’Kortnee Brown showed plenty of heart and grit throughout the tournament. The point guard was a bulldog getting to the basket and leading a young team. He gave everything he could for the Syrupmakers never giving up despite the challenges or hurdles.