City of Palms Preview:
Written by: Jordan Divens
The field is announced for the 42nd annual City of Palms Classic and the potential matchup of Mater Dei (CA) and 2x defending City of Palms champion Montverde Academy (FL) makes this event the place to be from December 18-23. Returning from last years field with Montverde, are last year’s tournament runner-up Paul VI (VA), last year’s 3rd place finisher Whitney Young (IL), 6th place finisher Wheeler (GA), and Oak Ridge (FL). This year’s field also includes Wesleyan Christian (NC), Archbishop Carroll (PA), Sierra Canyon (CA), St Francis (GA), Trinity (KY), Bentonville (AR), Wayne (OH), Webster Groves (MO), Riverside Academy (LA), and Florida Air Academy (FL), and local school North Port (FL). The potential matchup of Mater Dei (CA) and Montverde Academy (FL) last year would have been a matchup to decide nations number one as both teams finished undefeated. Mater Dei (CA) loses their star SG Stanley Johnson to Arizona and Montverde (FL) loses its star SG D’Angelo Russell to Ohio State. Transfers, graduations, and a year later the two may meet up in Florida for a Pre-Christmas showdown.
Star Power is everywhere in this years event as potential McDonald’s all-American candidates include Ben Simmons (Montverde), Jaylen Brown (Wheeler), Antonio Blakeney (Oak Ridge), and Derrick Jones (Archbishop Carroll). The most intriguing prospects in this event may come from the class of 2016 as elite prospects Harry Giles (Wesleyan Christian), Malik Monk (Bentonville), Udoka Azubuike (Potter’s House), VJ King (Paul VI), and Kobi Simmons (St Francis) highlight this event. Young players to watch in this event include some of the nations top young talents. 2017 prospects include DeAndre Ayton (Balboa City), Zach Brown (Miami Beach), and Cody Riley (Sierra Canyon) and in the 2018 class, EJ Montgomery (Montverde) is the freshman to watch for in this event.
The four team signature series will feature La Lumiere (IN), Potter’s House (FL), Balboa City (CA), and DC Timberwolves (Austria). The first round matchup of Potter’s House (FL) and Balboa City (CA) will put 2017 PF De’Andre Ayton up against 2016 C Udoka Azubuike. The winner of that monster matchup will likely face La Lumiere (IN) in the final. La Lumiere (IN) features Illinois commit 2015 SG Jalen Coleman, 2015 PG Munis Tutu, and Australian import, 2016 seven footer Isaac Humphries. Look for La Lumiere to take the Signature Series championship without much trouble. A team that only lost three games last year in La Lumiere is loaded again this season.
Early City of Palms Team Previews:
Montverde Academy (FL):
Montverde Academy comes into this year’s City of Palms as the 2x defending City of Palms and National Champions. Behind Ben Simmons Montverde will look to take home another City of Palms title and I like their chances.
Key Returners:
2015 PF Ben Simmons (LSU) and 2015 C Jean Marc-Koumadje (Florida State)
Key Newcomers:
2015 C Doral Moore, 2015 PF Noah Dickerson (FL), 2015 SF Marquez Letcher-Ellis, 2018 SF EJ Montgomery, 2015 SG Kevin Dorsey, 2016 PG Howard Washington Jr
Mater Dei (CA):
Mater Dei loses their Senior leader Stanley Johnson but with three returning starters they look to pose the biggest threat to Montverde (FL). Mater Dei finished last season with an undefeated record and look to continue their unbeaten streak behind Notre Dame commit Rex Pflueger.
Key Returners:
2016 C MJ Cage, 2015 SG Rex Pflueger (Notre Dame), 2015 La’Vette Parker, 2016 SG Bailey Stout
Key Newcomers:
2018 PF Michael Fang, 2015 PG K.J. Smith, 2018 SF Harrison Butler
Paul VI (VA):
Paul VI finished last years City of Palms losing in the championship game to a stacked Montverde Academy (FL) in a wacky blowout game that changed venues because of perspiration. This year Paul VI is looking to surprise some teams after losing much of last year’s squad to transfers (Marcus Derrickson, Kevin Dorsey, Curtis Jones, Josh Reaves, Tyler Scanlon).
Key Returners:
2015 Franklin Howard (Syracuse), 2016 PF Corey Manigault, 2017 PG Aaron Thompson
Key Newcomers:
2016 PF Jalen Melvin, 2016 SF VJ King, 2016 SF Jamall Robinson
Archbishop Carroll (PA):
Archbishop Carroll finished off last year with a 23-5 record, which included a run to the Chik Fil-A Classic final where they lost in overtime to Oak Hill (VA). Lead by senior leaders Ernest Aflakpui and Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carroll will look to make a run in Florida coming into the event as a contender.
Key Returners:
2015 C Ernest Aflakpui, 2015 Derrick Jones, 2017 SG David Beatty, 2016 PG Josh Sharkey, 2015 PF Ryan Dailey, 2015 SG Samir Taylor
Wesleyan Christian (NC):
Wesleyan Christian has a new look this year with Harry Giles back and Kwe Parker in the fold Wesleyan Christian will be a tough out in this year’s tournament. Giles will look to set himself apart as the top 2016 player in this event.
Key Returners:
2016 PF Harry Giles. 2015 SF Avery Steele, 2016 SG Michael Buckland, 2015 PG Brandon Childress
Key Newcomers:
2016 SG Kwe Parker
Wheeler (GA):
Wheeler looked to have a promising team coming into the 2014-15 season at last year’s city of palms event. Since that even Jerron Love transferred, Daniel Giddens transferred, and 2 key players graduated. Coming off an incredible summer Jaylen Brown will look to lead wounded Georgia squad with the help of transfer Shemari Phillips.
Key Returners:
2015 SF Jaylen Brown
Key Newcomers:
2015 SG Shemari Phillips (Tennessee)
Wayne (OH):
Huber Heights Wayne comes into the 2014 City of Palms as the dark horse. Players like Ahmad Wagner, Trey Landers, and Xeyrius Williams are the reason this Ohio squad could cause some trouble in this year’s event.
Key Returners:
2015 PF Ahmad Wagner (Iowa), 2015 PF Xeyrius Williams (Dayton), 2016 SF Trey Landers, 2015 PG D’Mitrik Trice
Key Newcomers:
2018 SF L’Christian Smith
Oak Ridge (FL):
Oak Ridge is another team who comes into the 2014 City of Palms under the radar but could make some noise. Oak Ridge has six of its top seven players coming back from last year’s squad. Antonio Blakeney and Alex Owens are the big names who will look to make a big impact on this team.
Key Returners:
2015 PF Alex Owens (Providence), 2015 SG Antonio Blakeney, 2015 SF Wily Nunez, 2015 SG DeAngelo Antoine, 2015 SG NyQuan Murray, 2015 PG TyQuan Merritt
Whitney Young (IL):
Recovering from losing the best player in the nation isn’t easy but Whitney Young will be looking to move on from the Jahlil Okafor era and into the underdog role in this event. Joseph Toye transferring back to Whitney Young for the 2014-15 season gives them a scoring threat and with three key contributors back, the Dolphins look to thrive with their new leaders.
Key Returners:
2016 SF Skyler Nash, 2015 PG Anthony Mosley Jr, 2016 SG Rodney Herenton Jr, 2017 PG Lucas Williamson
Key Newcomers:
2015 SF Joseph Toye (Vanderbilt)
Bentonville (AR):
Bentonville comes into the City of Palms with one of the top scorers in the nation and will go as far as he carries them. Malik Monk is the top scoring guard in the 2016 class and could be the player most likely to drop 40+ points in this event.
Key Returners:
2016 SG Malik Monk, 2016 C Ben Smith, 2016 PG Tyrik Dixon, 2015 SF Daniel Head
Sierra Canyon (CA):
Sierra Canyon is this year’s youngest team at this years City of Palms as four of five starters are sophomores and the fifth is just a junior. Lead by Sophomore Cody Riley and Junior Devearl Ramsey, Sierra Canyon is a dangerous team in this years field.
Key Returners:
2017 PF Cody Riley, 2017 PF Ira Lee, 2017 SF Adam Seiko, 2017 SG Terrence McBride, 2016 PG Devearl Ramsey
St Francis (GA):
St Francis may be the top high school basketball team this year as Malik Beasley and Kobi Simmons combine to make one of the nation’s top backcourts. Coming off a state title winning season St Francis will look to continue their success behind their core group of returners.
Key Returners:
2016 PG Kobi Simmons, 2015 SG Malik Beasley (Florida State), 2015 SF Kaiser Gates, 2016 PF James Banks, 2015 C Josh Coleman
Riverside Academy (LA):
Riverside Academy is coming off a 33-3 season and a Louisiana state title, however this group does not look likely to pose any threat to the contenders of this tournament. A lack of height is a main concern for Riverside Academy coming into this event.
Key Returners:
2016 SG Deuce Wallace, 2015 SG Jordan Andrews, 2016 SG Herbert McGee, 2016 SG Malik Crowfield, 2015 PG Von Julien
Trinity (KY):
Trinity went 30-5 last year and Ray Spalding is a big reason why. The Louisville commit is a dominant 6’ 9” PF who will look to carry his Trinity squad in Florida. The addition of SG D’Angelo West from Jackson (MS) also boosts the Trinity core.
Key Returners:
2015 PF Ray Spalding (Louisville), 2015 SF Christian Thieneman, 2015 SG Jax Levitch, 2015 SG Daniel Ramser, 2015 PG Michael Stafford
Key Newcomers:
2015 SG D’Angelo West
Webster Groves (MO):
Webster Groves out of Missouri finished last season with a 21-5 record and with a core group of seniors back will look to test their talents in Florida. Webster Groves is another team that doesn’t look to be a threat to any contenders.
Key Returners:
2015 PF Alex Floresca (San Diego), 2015 SF Cameron Hilton, 2015 SF Sturt Hollandsworth, 2015 SG Stephen Harris (Austin Peay), 2016 PG Leland Bradford
Florida Air Academy (FL):
Florida Air Academy went 26-2 last year on the back of PF Ted Kapita. This year Kapita has transferred to Huntington Prep (WV) and SG Julius Johnson will look to take the reigns. Florida Air Academy should pose no threat to contenders.
Key Returners:
2017 PF Sean Mobley, 2015 SG Julius Johnson (Richmond)
North Port (FL):
North Port is the host school and will look to pull off a miracle against a powerhouse school but North Port will most likely finish the tournament after three losses. The City of Palms will pose a good test for this North Port team who will look to make some noise this year in Florida returning four of five starters.
Key Returners:
2015 C Malek Barber, 2016 PF Brandon Gonzalez, 2015 SG Teddy Deas, 2015 PG Vic Sinopoli
Early 17 team field Power-Rankings:
1.Montverde Academy (FL)
2.Mater Dei (CA)
3.Archbishop Carroll (PA)
4.Wesleyan Christian (NC)
5.Paul VI (VA)
6.St Francis (GA)
7.Whitney Young (IL)
8.Wayne (OH)
9.Sierra Canyon (CA)
10.Oak Ridge (FL)
11.Bentonville (AR)
12.Trinity (KY)
13.Wheeler (GA)
14.Riverside Academy (LA)
15.Florida Air Academy (FL)
16.Webster Groves (MO)
17.North Port (FL)
2015 Players to watch:
Montverde (FL)
C Doral Moore
PF Ben Simmons- LSU
PF Noah Dickerson- Florida
SG Kevin Dorsey- Minnesota
Wheeler (GA)
SF Jaylen Brown
SG Shemari Phillips- Tennessee
Archbishop Carroll
C Ernest Aflakpui
SF Derrick Jones
Wayne (OH)
PF Ahmad Wagner- Iowa
PF Xeyrius Williams- Dayton
Oak Ridge (FL)
PF Alex Owens- Providence
SG Antonio Blakeney
Paul VI (VA)
SG Franklin Howard-Syracuse
Mater Dei (CA)
SG Rex Pflueger-Notre Dame
PG K.J. Smith
Whitney Young (FL)
SF Joseph Toye- Vanderbilt
Trinity (KY)
PF Ray Spalding- Louisville
St Francis (GA)
SG Malik Beasley- Florida State
Riverside Academy (LA)
PG Von Julien
La Lumiere (IN)
SG Jalen Coleman- Illinois
PG Munis Tutu
Victory Rock Prep (FL)
PF Jon Nwanko- Minnesota
PF Deng Adel- Louisville
Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
C Josh Sharma
PF Aaron Falzon
Live Oak Suwannee (FL)
PF Kevarrius Hayes- Florida
2016 Players to Watch:
PG Howard Washington Jr- Montverde
SF VJ King- Paul VI
PF Harry Giles- Wesleyan Christian
SG Kwe Parker- Wesleyan Christian
C MJ Cage- Mater Dei
SG Malik Monk- Bentonville
PG Devearl Ramsey- Sierra Canyon
PG Kobi Simmons- St Francis
C Isaac Humphries-La Lumiere
C Udoka Azubuike- Potter’s House
SG Maverick Rowan- Cardinal Gibbons
2017/2018 Players To Watch:
2017
PF DeAndre Ayton-Balboa City
PF Cody Riley- Sierra Canyon
C Zach Brown- Miami Beach
PG Aaron Thompson- Paul VI
SG David Beatty- Archbishop Carroll
2018
SF EJ Montgomery-Montverde
PF Michael Fang- Mater Dei
SF L’Christian Smith- Wayne
Single Game Sunrise Series Matchups:
Cardinal Gibbons (FL) vs. Cape Coral Mariner (FL) Dec. 18
The Villages (FL) vs. Naples First Baptist (FL) Dec. 19
Miami Beach (FL) vs. Live Oak Suwannee (FL) Dec. 20
Montverde Prep (FL) vs. Northfield Mt Hermon (MA) Dec. 21 Victory Rock Prep (FL) vs. Northfield Mt Hermon (MA) Dec. 23
Special Thanks to Donnie Wilkie for giving me the 2014 City of Palms field and Sunrise Matchups.
