Preview: 6th Annual Sun Bash Tampa Bay

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The 6th annual Sun Bash Tampa Bay presented by Ferg’s is set to kickoff on Tuesday, December 27th. The event runs until Thursday, December 29th and will feature 16 teams across three days of action with 24 games played.
The field is set with 14 teams around the state of Florida and two out-of-state squads, one from New York and one from Louisiana.
For more information on the Sun Bash visit www.sunbashtourney.com.
Note: Sun Bash Tampa teams are a combined 109-37 so far this season.
Here is a look at a team-by-team preview of the annual Sun Bash Tampa event.
Blake Yellow Jackets (Tampa, FL)
Outlook: There is talent aplenty on this youthful and speedy Blake group. 2025 6-foot-7 guard Joshua Lewis (South Florida offer) is super athletic and crafty with or without the ball. 2026 6-foot-7 Joe “Jojo” Philion (South Florida offer) is just scratching the surface of his true potential. 2023 6-foot-4 guard King Asad is the heart and soul of this team, averaging 16.7 PPG so far this season.
Current Record: 9-1
2021-22 Season: 14-8, Class 5A-District 8 Runner-Up
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Florida High (7 PM), Wednesday – Gibbs (4 PM), Thursday – NFEI (1 PM)
Calvary Christian Warriors (Clearwater, FL)
Outlook: Calvary Christian has two losses to its name this season to Oak Ridge and St. Thomas Aquinas, teams that are a combined 16-4. 2024 6-foot-1 guard Daniel MacGregor (Stetson and NJIT offers) is one of the toughest prospects you’ll see anywhere as a scorer, floor pusher and rebounder. 2024 6-foot-6 guard/forward Ace Taylor is really coming into his own and has a keen ability to finish inside. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Dominic Sarigumba is a sneaky athlete and gifted ballhandler.
Current Record: 8-2
2021-22 Season: 22-5, Class 3A Region Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 4th year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Plant (4 PM), Wednesday – Northshore (5:30 PM), Thursday – East Lake (8:30 PM)
Canterbury Cougars (Fort Myers, FL)
Outlook: The youthful Canterbury offense runs through speedster Leroy Roker. The 2024 6-foot guard leads this group with 13.8 PPG and can simply get it done on both ends of the floor. 2025 6-foot-7 forward Jerry Ashley has clear upside at his size. 2026 6-foot-5 guard Brisun Hammermeister is a pure scorer who can shoot it with ease and get up for dunks.
Current Record: 3-8
2021-22 Season: 18-9, Class 3A-District 8 Runner-Up
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – East Lake (10 AM), Wednesday – Northside Christian (7 PM), Thursday – Holy Trinity (2:30 PM)
East Lake Eagles (Tarpon Springs, FL)
Outlook: The lone undefeated team in the tournament, East Lake just earned the return of 2023 6-foot sharpshooter Justin Kruszewski. Alongside him are a pair of 2023 crafty guards in 6-foot-1 Albert Lacy and 6-foot Henry Hurst Jr. East Lake plays hard on both ends of the floor
Current Record: 10-0
2021-22 Season: 16-11, Class 7A-District 6 Runner-Up
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 4th year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Canterbury (10 AM), Wednesday – Holy Trinity (1130 AM), Thursday – Calvary Christian (830 PM)
Florida High Seminoles (Tallahassee, FL)
Outlook: Fresh off of its second-ever state title last season, Florida High has all the pieces in place to make another deep run. 2023 6-foot-3 guard Anthony Robinson II is headed to Missouri next fall but he isn’t ready to call it quits on his prep career as he is averaging just under 20.0 PPG. 2023 6-foot guard Thad Burns is a strong and gifted shooter. 2025 6-foot-6 forward Trey Card is a grinder down low and gets the job done.
Current Record: 9-1
2021-22 Season: 24-7, Class 3A State Champion
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Blake (7 PM), Wednesday – St. Pete (8:30 PM), Thursday – Xaverian (11:30 AM)
Gateway Charter Griffins (Fort Myers, FL)
Outlook: Winners of a school-record seven games in a row, Gateway Charter is peaking here at the end of 2022. 2023 6-foot-4 guard Jahmari Johnson is a determined and versatile leader for this squad who can score in bunches. 2025 6-foot-8 forward Pat Johnson is a high ceiling as a finisher inside and a core rebounder. 2023 6-foot-2 guard Jaden Arzola is a super gifted jump shooter.
Current Record: 9-1
2021-22 Season: 11-15
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Wharton (11:30 AM), Wednesday – Plant (10 AM), Thursday – St. Pete (5:30 PM)
Gibbs Gladiators (St. Pete, FL)
Outlook: A team full of athletes, Gibbs has a pair of 2025 guards who can hurt you on both ends of the court in 6-foot guard Jacob Daniels (16.9 PPG) and 6-foot-2 guard Mathis Roberts (9.7 PPG). 2023 6-foot-4 forward Marcus Calvin (Kansas football signee) is averaging 11.9 PPG and 6.0 RPG and is a key piece to the success for the Gladiators.
Current Record: 6-1
2021-22 Season: 21-9, Class 4A State Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 2nd year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – NFEI (1 PM), Wednesday – Blake (4 PM), Thursday – Wharton (4 PM)
Holy Trinity Tigers (Melbourne, FL)
Outlook: 2026 6-foot-7 forward Caleb Gaskins is one of the most skilled freshmen out there and he got a plethora of experience starting on varsity as an 8th grader. 2024 5-foot-9 guard Elijah Reynolds sets the tone with his solid ballhandling and crafty skillset. 2024 6-foot-6 forward Willie Thompson and 2027 6-foot-1 guard Martay Barnes are two other names to know for this Tigers program.
Current Record: 6-4
2021-22 Season: 19-12, Class 4A State Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Northside Christian (2:30 PM), Wednesday – East Lake (11:30 AM), Thursday – Canterbury (2:30 PM)
Northshore Panthers (Slidell, LA)
Outlook: Making the trip south from Louisiana, Northshore has one of the most gifted all-around scorers in 2024 6-foot-1 guard Kohen Rowbatham (Southeastern Louisiana and Southern Miss offers). He’s fresh off of a 32-point outing on Thursday night in a win in town and he can shoot with the best of them. 2024 6-foot-7 forward Dawson Knox is a versatile and long-bodied athlete. 2023 6-foot-3 forward Nathan Jackson does a lot of dirty work for the Panthers.
Current Record: 7-3
2021-22 Season: 26-8, Class 5A State Runner-Up
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – St. Pete (8:30 PM), Wednesday – Calvary Christian (5:30 PM), Thursday – North Broward (10 AM)
Northside Christian Mustangs (St. Pete, FL)
Outlook: Northside Christian has been building for this moment with a deep 2023 class that has played a ton of basketball together. 2023 6-foot-4 guard Tobias Gunter is more confident than ever averaging just under 23.0 PPG and wreaking havoc inside. 2023 6-foot guard Skyler Scull is a true gamer running the show averaging 16.7 PPG. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Hayden McCain (9.6 PPG) can hurt you from deep.
Current Record: 5-3
2021-22 Season: 18-10, Class 3A Regional Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 3rd year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Holy Trinity (2:30 PM), Wednesday – Canterbury (7 PM), Thursday – Plant (7 PM)
North Broward Prep Eagles (Coconut Creek, FL)
Outlook: A revamped squad, North Broward won’t go down easy against anyone. 2023 6-foot-4 guard Ryan Weiss (16.2 PPG) is a highly skilled shooter and driver. 2024 6-foot-8 forward Enrico Borio (11.1 PPG & 10.0 RPG) is emerging quickly down low. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Ben Daniels (9.2 PPG) has an expanded role as an outside touch shooter.
Current Record: 6-4
2021-22 Season: 27-3, Class 4A Region Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 2nd year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Xaverian (5:30 PM), Wednesday – Wharton (1 PM), Thursday – Northshore (10 AM)
North Florida Educational Eagles (Jacksonville, FL)
Outlook: NFEI’s offense runs through 2023 6-foot-6 guard Isaac Tavares (FGCU, Robert Morris, Troy, Jacksonville, FAU offers). He’s averaging 22.0 PPG and has guided the Eagles to a hot start with its two losses coming against SIAA defending champion The Rock and Class 4A defending state champion Florida High. 2023 6-foot-2 guard Tommie Hall (12.4 PPG) is an unselfish counterpart next to Tavares. 2023 6-foot-2 guard Juan Barbista (9.8 PPG) is another steady piece for NFEI.
Current Record: 7-2
2021-22 Season: 24-8, Class 2A State Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Gibbs (1 PM), Wednesday – Xaverian (2:30 PM), Thursday – Blake (1 PM)
Plant Panthers (Tampa, FL)
Outlook: Winners of four consecutive games, Plant is one of the hottest teams in Tampa right now. 2023 6-foot-4 guard Will Willard (Eckerd commit) is a gifted shooter and crafty attacker who makes everyone around him better. 2024 6-foot-2 forward Dillon Costello does a lot of dirty work down low while 2023 5-foot-10 guard Noah Fishman is an active and smart player.
Current Record: 5-4
2021-22 Season: 17-9, Class 7A-District 6 Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 2nd year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Calvary Christian (4 PM), Wednesday – Gateway Charter (10 AM), Thursday – Northside Christian (7 PM)
St. Petersburg Green Devils (St. Petersburg, FL)
Outlook: Winners of four in a row, St. Pete will showcase a deep senior class next week. 2023 6-foot-5 guard Tristan Gross (Dartmouth, Southern Illinois, FAU, USF, FGCU & Wake Forest offers) is a skilled ballhandler and dangerous outside shooter. 2023 5-foot-10 guard Quez Curry is one of the fastest players you’ll see on a basketball court and a difficult cover with his jumper and driving ability. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Sam Ducksworth is playing sound basketball and 2023 6-foot-5 forward Dylan Kramer is a true grinder on the boards.
Current Record: 5-1
2021-22 Season: 25-6, Class 5A State Runner-Up
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 2nd year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Northshore (8:30 PM), Wednesday – Florida High (8:30 PM), Thursday – Gateway Charter (5:30 PM)
Wharton Wildcats (Tampa, FL)
Outlook: Wharton has rattled off seven straight wins after starting off the season 3-0. A pair of 2023 lengthy guards 6-foot-5 Chandler Davis (Arkansas Pine-Bluff offer) is super skilled as a shooter and attacker while 6-foot-5 Karmello Branch (NC A&T and Chicago State offer) can simply outwork you with his ball skills and driving prowess. 2024 5-foot-10 guard Lucean Milligan is a quick twitch point man who can shoot it well.
Current Record: 10-1
2021-22 Season: 28-3, Class 6A State Semifinalist
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – Gateway Charter (11:30 AM), Wednesday – North Broward (1 PM), Thursday – Gibbs (4 PM)
Xaverian Clippers (Brooklyn, NY)
Outlook: Xaverian is always a staple in the New York area in terms of its basketball program. 2023 6-foot-1 guard Nasir Muhmmad (Long Island and Manhattan offers) has been hard to stop thus far this season averaging 24.3 PPG. 2023 6-foot guard Aaron Goldstein (Staten Island and D’Youville offers) is a dangerous shooter who is averaging 13.0 PPG and 2023 6-foot-6 forward Doe Colon Lewis is scrappy inside averaging 12.5 PPG.
Current Record: 4-2
2021-22 Season: 13-11, Double AA Quarterfinal
Sun Bash Appearance Count: 1st year
Sun Bash Matchups: Tuesday – North Broward (5:30 PM), Wednesday – NFEI (2:30 PM), Thursday – Florida High (11:30 PM)
Jake Perper has covered sports as a 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.