#OTRHoopsReport: City of Palms Saturday Recap – December 21, 2014

FORT MYERS, Fla., – The City of Palms Classic should be considered the Holy Grail of high school basketball. This is the one opportunity  where the best teams from around the country can compete annually. Nationally ranked teams, which include No. 1 ranked Montverde Academy, are in this the 42nd annual tournament. Our OTRHoopsReport.com staff had this weekend etched into our calendars as a must stop. Here is a run down of the action from Saturday.

Trio of Terrific Performances on Saturday

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Brown Dominates on Both Ends

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Jaylen Brown of Wheeler HS

The No. 4 player in the BrandonClayScouting.com ELITE 100, Jaylen Brown of Wheeler HS, answered the bell again tonight by leading his team past Paul VI. His 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals is representative of the impact that the 6-foot-7 small forward brings to the game. He is willing to post up smaller defenders in the half-court and impacts the glass as well as anyone on the court. He blocked multiple shots and altered many more in this game. He affects the game on both ends as well as anyone in the nation.

 

Highlights Courtesy of Next Up Recruits

 

Simmons Wills His Way to a Win

Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy

Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy

Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy turned in a signature performance against St. Francis on Saturday evening. Facing the dynamic backcourt of Florida State signee Malik Beasley and class of 2016 5-star Kobi Simmons, Simmons and his teammates found themselves trailing by a point with under a minute to go. That is when the No. 1 player in the class of 2015 changed the outcome of the game right before eyes of the 2,000+ fans in attendance. Simmons went right to the block, posted up and dunked in between the Knight defenders. Seconds later he chased down the ball in transition for a steal and then sank 4 straight free throws to close the game. The 6-8 forward finished with an incredible 37 points and 18 rebounds to advance his team to the semi-finals where they will face Trinity High School (KY).

Highlights Courtesy of Elite Mixtapes

 

Giles and Wesleyan Christian End Mater Dei’s streak

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Harry Giles of Wesleyan Christian

Much like Simmons, Harry Giles and his Wesleyan Christian teammates faced a deficit heading into the final quarter of play versus Mater Dei (CA). However, Giles proved to be too much for their nationally ranked opponent. Giles dominated the paint blocking multiple shots and snagging rebounds. Giles was very efficient in the lane and ended with 29 points and scored with his back to the basket and off of the drive. He added 15 rebounds and 5 blocks as well. The young men from High Point, N.C., will face Wheeler on Monday evening in the semi-finals.

 

Highlights courtesy of Hoop Diamonds

Exposure & Showcase Opportunities

Coverage – Georgia Challenge Headliners 

Coverage – Elite Basketball Academy All-American Camp

Coverage – CoachHemi.com Fall Workout

Jonathan HemingwayJonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. 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


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