Talent-laden National Hoopfest set for Tampa

Talent-laden National Hoopfest set for Tampa

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

TAMPA, FL – The national basketball spotlight will shine on Florida this weekend for the ARS National Hoopfest.

Montverde Academy, Oak Hill and Huntington Prep are the easy names to remember. Each team will have duos to watch. Here are the games and players you need to pay attention on Friday and Saturday at Berkeley Prep.

The marquee game of the weekend is between Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy at 4:30 pm on ESPNU on Saturday. These are the premier basketball programs in the country. This is a matchup where college coaches will attend to continue gaining the attention of unsigned seniors like Oak Hill’s Cole Anthony and Montverde’s Precious Achiuwa.

Achiuwa, a 6-foot-9 forward, was named the MVP of the MAIT Championship last weekend. He has had Kansas head coach Bill Self and UNC head coach Roy Williams. Connecticut’s Danny Hurley had a chance to visit with the New York native on Wednesday. He will also have the help of Florida State commit Balsa Koprivica, who is 6-foot-10 post with some exceptional skills.

Anthony has narrowed his list down in no particular order to North Carolina, Georgetown, Miami, Wake Forest, Oregon and Notre Dame. Illinois commit Kofi Cockburn is a 6-foot-10 man child, who will hold it down inside for the Warriors.

West Oaks Academy has played a loaded schedule the entire season. The Flames are coming off a three game in four days slate, which included playing Oak Hill in Mouth of Wilson (Va.). Leading the way for West Oaks is Tyrell Jones an Auburn commit. He is an explosive player at the point. His backcourt mate is 2021 guard AJ Neal a relentless player with range. They will play at neck breaking speed on Saturday against St. Petersburg High at 11:15 am.

The Villages Charter come into the tournament with Florida signee Tre Mann. This McDonald’s All-American participant is averaging 24 points a game. Mann is an explosive scorer from all levels of the floor. Brandon Farmer is a player people need to watch on the Buffaloes roster. The 6-foot-7 senior has had a strong season, which includes solid performances over the last few weeks. He is averaging 14 points and severn rebounds a game. The Villages plays Tampa Catholic at 12:45 pm on Saturday.

University School comes in with senior Vernon Carey. The Duke commit has terrorized opponents all season averaging nearly 22 points a game. Junior forward Scottie Barnes will continues to gain attention with his athleticism to go along with his 6-foot-8 frame. The Sharks play host school Berkeley Prep at 2:30 pm on Saturday.

Oak Ridge High will have the two most explosive players on display this weekend.

Seniors CJ Walker and Niven Glover have caught the attention of the nation with their athleticism. Both players were on SportCenter Top 10 plays for the No. 1 highlight of the night on two separate occasions for their 360, between the leg dunk during a game. Walker, an Oregon commit, did his most recently Monday night against Freedom. So, if you want to potentially see some highlights make sure to catch the Pioneers at 6:00 pm Saturday against Huntington Prep.

Huntington Prep brings its own high flying act to the Sunshine state. Jimma Gatwech has displayed some crowd pleasing highlights recently in Cleveland. He is also joined by AJ Hoggard, the junior guard has offers from Connecticut, DePaul, Dayton, Ole Miss, and New Mexico.