Day 1 Standouts at Lakewood MLK Holiday Classic
Lakewood hosted some quality Tampa Bay Area teams as well as Miami Norland and West Port (Ocala) at their MLK Holiday Classic. Day 1 scores were:
Seffner Christian – 76, Tampa Catholic – 31 (I only caught the end of this one)
Southeast (Bradenton) – 54, West Port – 44
Miami Norland – 50, Lakewood – 40
Some of the standout players from the first day of action are as follows:
Sydney James – West Port – Sr. (Pictured)
Sydney was the best player I saw all day as she went for 28 of her team’s 44 points in a game that was within one possession in the middle of the 4th. She went 5 for 6 from the line, hit three 3’s, and couldn’t be stopped on the drive. The Furman commit is currently averaging a double-double and is a McDonald’s All-American Nominee. Sydney can go!
Perryauna Youmans – Southeast – Jr.
Perryauna is the best offensive weapon for the Noles, and she put that on display with a team-high 15 points in their win over West Port. She didn’t miss a foul shot and hit three 3’s in the big win. She’s got the handles, shot, and overall ability to play at the next level.
Mikera Patton – Southeast – Sr.
Mikera is one of the best defenders I’ve seen this year who is always matched up against the opposing teams best player. She is fast enough and has a good enough frame to guard just about every position. Mikera can score the rock in spurts too as she finished with 11 points on a trio of three’s.
Jaiyah Harris-Smith – Norland – Jr.
Jaiyah is a baller who can do it all for her team. She’s a player that’s very exciting to watch as she put 15 points on Lakewood in their win. Jaiyah went 9 for 10 from the charity stripe, but her passing and rebounding might have been the best part of her game. She brings a lot of energy on the floor, sees the court, and knows the game well. She’s definitely got the talent to contribute at the next level.
Emoriah McHenry – Norland – So.
Emoriah was tough around the basket on Friday evening. She finished with 13 points and rebounded the ball well on both ends against a quality Lakewood team. Norland is a very good team that has a strong starting five with all of the pieces to make a deep run.
JoShauntye Thomas – Lakewood – Sr.
JoShauntye came alive in the second half of their Friday game with all 13 of her points coming in the last two quarters. The Spartans got off to a slow start with only 4 points in the first, but JoShauntye brought them back by hitting a few 3’s and making most of the shots she put up to give them a chance.
Macey Zeh-Arndt – Lakewood – Sr.
Macey is a tough post player who spends a lot of her time at the FT line since that is one of the only ways to slow her down in the paint. She can bang around with the best in the post, has good footwork, and has a nice touch around the hoop. If Lakewood can play with more consistency, they will be hard team to out in the postseason.