#OTRHoopsReport: City of Palms Saturday Recap – December 20, 2015

 Hosted at Bishop Verot High School, the City of Palms Classic is largely considered the nation’s premier high school tournament. Next year the tournament will be moved to the Fort Myers Civic Center.

FORT MYERS, Fla., – Saturday lived up to the hype. Plain and simple the stars shined the brightest and the fans were entertained by a number of competitive games. Here is the rundown on day two of the City of Palms Classic.

By:  @JLHemingwayPSB

Saturday Recap

(Game’s listed in Reverse order as they were played)

Westerville (OH) 80 Father Tolton (MO) 66

The nightcap was more about teamwork rather than star power. Westerville South saw six of their players go for double digits, which included Daylan Haynie leading them with 16 points Although they did have a balanced offensive attack, it was their defense that proved the difference in this contest. They limited Michael Porter Jr.’s touches and when he did get the ball he had to work very hard for the 21 points he scored. Point guard Isaiah Wilson also scored 21 for Father Tolton. Ohio state commit, 2017 center Kaleb Wesson for Westerville scored 13 points and had 6 rebounds. Available senior wing Andre Wesson emerged as the game’s biggest stock riser. Standing at 6-foot-7, he has the athleticism and skill to play on both ends of the floor at a high level.

Kaleb Wesson draws the charge & Porter picks up his 5th. @SouthBasketball wins 80-66 #CityofPalms @Elite_Hooper99 pic.twitter.com/VatuNw74Od

— Jonathan Hemingway (@CoachHemi) December 20, 2015

Chaminade (MO) 64 Bartow (FL) 54

The gym packed up quickly to see Duke-bound Jayson Tatum, who reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the BrandonClayScouting.com ELITE 100 rankings this month. The 6-9 small forward did not disappoint either scoring 36 points, which included 5-10 shooting from 3-point range. His feathery jump shot had everyone shaking their head in amazement all night long. Tatum may not impact the game in every area like Ben Simmons did last year at this same tournament, however their presence and style should draw comparisons. Iowa bound Tyler Cook added 12 for Chaminade and did it with force and flair. For Bartow, North Carolina bound Tony Bradley was as good as we have seen him be in the past year. The 6-10 center scored 33 and snagged 13 rebounds in the loss. Yet his touch, athleticism and footwork help put him among the top centers in the nation.

#CityofPalms Jayson Tatum 19 at the half, 5/8 from 3pt range @Im_that_dude22 @CCPBasketball pic.twitter.com/pxx2STqnUO

— Jonathan Hemingway (@CoachHemi) December 20, 2015

Patrick School (NJ) 54 Norland (FL) 45

Defense was the name of the game in this match-up. While fans love to see points, dunks and highlight plays the true basketball junkie could appreciate the level of basketball being played here. Former Rutgers coach Mike Rice is the Patrick School’s interim coach this year. His coaching showed up in a big way as he got his kids to play a level of defense that is usually only seen at the college level. The effectively neutralized 5-star forward Dewan Huell and held him to five points after scoring 24 the night before. They did all of this without 6-11 center Nick Richards who was held out with a concussion. Harvard signee Bryce Aiken and guard Jamir Harris both scored 13 in the win. Rhode Island signee Cyril Langevine added a game high 12 rebounds in the win for the Patrick School.

Riverview (FL) 65 Wellington (FL) 62

This game was a part of the tournament’s Sunshine Series, which features some of the state of Florida’s top teams. Class of 2017 A.J. Caldwell emerged as a stock riser scoring 23 points on five 3-pointers. for Riverview The 6-5 wing will go into a report as a value recruit who provides a specialty. Brion Whitley added 21 points and 6 rebounds in the win. Point guard Trent Frazier scored 22 points and dished out 5 assists for Wellington. Frazier, a 6-2 junior, is a left-handed floor general who will also go into the OTRHoopsReport.com as a stock-riser coming out of the weekend.

High Point Christian 74 The First Academy (FL) 55

There was a lot of Kentucky blue in the stands this weekend and it was to watch Edrice “Bam” Adebayo with High Point. The 6-9 power forward did not disappoint. He showed a face-up game that we had previously not seen. However, it his his strength, motor and ability to finish around the bucket that continues to be his calling card. He was fantastic to a tune of 23 points on 11-15 shooting while also pulling in 9 rebounds. High Point’s Ty Graves also put in an impressive performance scoring 18 points. The Boston College bound senior was terrific at getting his shot with the dribble. The First Academy was led by Chaundee Brown with 18 points.

Bam Adebayo showed his face up game at #CityofPalms. Finished w/ 23 & 9 5* PF https://t.co/vmiEs6pJDw @HPCAcougars pic.twitter.com/Pstt1IC5hF

— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) December 19, 2015

Montverde Academy (FL) 74 Spain Park (AL) 61

This game featured talented big men on both rosters. Spain Park’s Austin Wiley is an Auburn commit in the class of 2017. He finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds on 6 of 10 shooting. He was efficient and strong in typical fashion. Jamal Johnson of Spain Park put in a solid afternoon scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. However, the frontline for the Eagles of Montverde were just as effective, which features 5-star 2018 power forward Silvio De Souza and under the radar class of 2016 Bruno Fernando. They finished with 12 and 10 points respectively. Remember the name RJ Barrett for Montverde. The 6-6 freshman wing finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds and wowed the crowed with numerous dunks all morning long.

Tabbed Bruno Fernando as a must-track big man. Showed why w/ @MVABasketball at #CityofPalms https://t.co/orXItjVlXQ pic.twitter.com/1wa6llgSY5 — Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) December 19, 2015

West Linn (OR) 73 Lehigh (FL) 52

Point guard Payton Pritchard and his teammates redeemed their loss from day 1 with a 21 point victory over Lehigh. The Oregon signee finished with a near triple double of 12 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. A natural table setter, Pritchard is on the Naismith 50 Watch-List for Player of the Year. Read the entire list here: 2016 Naismith Trophy Boys Watch-List

 

Read about Friday’s Standouts Here

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Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB