Practice Report: Palm Beach County
RIVIERA BEACH, FLORIDA – This week I spent three full days in the Palm Beach County area stopping over to practices and games.
Here is a look at the team breakdowns by day.
Week of Dec. 15
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Jupiter Christian
The Eagles are a true threat in Class 2A as they currently sport a 4-1 record. Second year coach Tavarus Harris has serious length and athleticism on his side with a group that has seven seniors. This was by far the loudest and most vocal practice I attended all week.
—2023 6-foot-7 forward Matthew James (Georgia Southern football commit) was active as can be on defense and offensively, he finished most of the chances he earned down low. 2023 5-foot-10 guard Jermaine Hunter is one of the purest point men you’ll see and with his gamer ability and speed, he deserves a long look from colleges.
—2023 6-foot guard Aidan Walker has a very nice pace and smarts in this offense. His jumper was working on Wednesday. 2026 6-foot-4 guard Collin Paul is a very unphased freshman. The big bodied guard is a skilled ballhandler and unselfish as they come. 2024 6-foot-5 guard/forward Conner Hoffmann was knocking down treys with ease.
Wellington
With only four seniors, there is a lot to like when you foresee the future of Wellington. The Class 7A program led by longtime coach Matt Colin sits at 6-1 and certainly will make a deep playoff run. It was a super organized practice with a lot of sound concepts.
—2023 6-foot-5 forward Shawn Cineus is a smooth and versatile piece. He’s athletic as they come and a very active and aware defender. 2023 6-foot-3 guard Erick Perez doesn’t take any plays off and has the ability to hurt you from deep and headed inside. 2024 6-foot guard Reggie Reinhardt (out due to illness) has been the third-best scoring threat all season long.
—2025 6-foot-4 guard Sean Standifer has a lot of upside as a talented shooter and he was soaking in a lot of information and asking endless questions. 2025 6-foot guard Manny Hernandez is a strong and shifty lead athlete who isn’t afraid of contact. 2023 6-foot-4 forward Trevor Bell is an athletic finisher and one of the most vocal players on the floor.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
St. John Paul II
Over in Boca Raton, Greg Walker has taken over for a rather youthful unit who sits at 5-2 currently in Class 3A. He is changing the culture. 2023 6-foot-3 guard Kyle Edison is the bonafide leader. His ballhandling push, craftiness as a passer and scoring ability stand out.
—Next to Edison, 2024 6-foot-2 guard Akiem Strahan impressed me with his ability to run the floor and get to the rim with purpose. 2025 5-foot-9 guard Cristian Rosado is a gifted shooter who is in charge of running a lot of sets for this team. 2025 6-foot-1 guard Rowan Linder is a locked-in jump shooter who hit a few really tough outside looks.
Leonard
The Lancers have already matched their win total from a year ago and sit at 5-2. In fact, Leonard has won only seven games over the last two previous seasons. James Lake took over the head coaching gig last year and he is bringing life to the Class 7A program.
—With eight seniors in the fold, a quartet of them stood out in Tuesday’s practice. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Jael Gonzalez is a super gifted shooter who rarely missed in the session. 2023 5-foot-11 guard Marc Ortiz is a gritty guard who can shoot, drive and kick. 2023 5-foot-10 guard Alex Resto likes to create space to score. 2023 5-foot-9 guard Schneider Viljean flashed his pure speed and seasoned handles.
—2025 6-foot-5 forward Breche Eriscar is a sophomore prospect to monitor. He has nice length and isn’t afraid of contact. Eriscar will take the next step when he adds muscle and a consistent jump shot.
Monday, Dec. 12
Suncoast
Longtime Chargers head coach Jason Powell has his group locked in at 5-2 right now and it looks like it should be yet another successful season there in Class 5A. The group consists of three featured pieces in 2023 6-foot-5 guard Nate Sasser, 2024 6-foot-8 forward Ian Smikle and 2024 6-foot guard Stone Bureau (out of practice due to injury).
—Sasser had bright moments, attacking the basket with his length and burst. Smikle has slimmed down and looks nimble on his feet and craftier around the bucket. 2024 6-foot-1 guard Joseph Renna is a gifted shooter who was knocking down jumpers often in the Monday practice session.
Inlet Grove
Off to a 5-0 start this season, the Hurricanes boast a deep group of 12 seniors in Class 3A. In his second year at the helm, Christopher Brooks II is really making the most of his talent.
—2023 6-foot guard Ja-Sean Penate is a flat out gifted shooter. He connected from long range off quick feeds and on his own creation. 2023 6-foot-2 guard Adrian Espinoza is a quick twitch guard who is gritty and good at the point of attack. 2023 6-foot-4 forward Marcus Upshaw is the most athletic piece overall with his length and burst. 2026 5-foot-10 guard Tayler Hodge-White is a freshman to monitor with his ballhandling ability.
Jake Perper has been a sports writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.