Top Performers: State Tournament (Day 1)

March 2, 2023/Jake Perper

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – The FHSAA state tournament kicked off on Wednesday with a six-game slate that featured the Class 1A, 2A and 3A semifinals.

Results:

  • 3A Semifinal: Windermere Prep 55, Providence 43
  • 3A Semifinal: Riviera Prep 68, Tampa Catholic 67
  • 2A Semifinal: Orlando Christian Prep 44, SLAM Tampa 28
  • 2A Semifinal: Sagemont 71, North Florida Educational 65
  • 1A Semifinal: Williston 54, Franklin County 37
  • 1A Semifinal: Chipley 49, Hawthorne 46

Here is a look at the standouts from Wednesday’s action.

2026 7-0 C Sinan Huan – Windermere Prep

If you didn’t know the name Sinan Huan, well you do now. The 2026 7-footer has made massive strides since the last time I saw him hoop back in fall league action in October. He padded the stat sheet with 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Huan has very good footwork, and isn’t afraid to handle the ball and mix it up on both ends of the floor down low. His upside is through the roof.

–2024 6-5 F Chandler Watts (15 points) had a strong opening half and finished in a variety of ways at the basket. 2026 6-4 G Brandon Bass Jr. (12 points) continued his surge in production and is gaining confidence by the minute.

2025 6-0 G Isaiah Campbell-Finch – Tampa Catholic

This marked probably the best overall game I have seen from 2025 guard Isaiah Campbell-Finch. The Tampa Catholic sophomore racked up 21 points and scored from all over the floor, especially in the second half. His jumper was working and his toughness was on full display. Most impressively, his mature handles and ability to finish with either hand really hurt Riviera Prep.

—2024 6-6 G Karter Knox (17 points) knocked down a bunch of mid-range jumpers and hustled all over the floor, especially defensively. 2023 6-3 G Eddrin Bronson (17 points) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 15 seconds left and made key shots all game long. He will thrive at Furman in the fall.

2025 6-4 G Dante Allen – Riviera Prep

In the game of the day, Riviera Prep earned a complete team effort in a back and forth 68-67 victory over Tampa Catholic. 2025 guard Dante Allen is not your usual sophomore with his combination of poise and IQ. He recorded 19 points on an efficient shooting night and can make things happen on or off the ball. Allen is a winner and someone who is only going to continue to mature all around.

—It was a Fuentes connection (seen below) on the game-winning bucket as 2026 6-1 guard Mason Fuentes (11 points) found his brother 2027 6-0 guard Myles Fuentes (15 points) for an impressive finish with 1.1 seconds left. The Fuentes brothers are super talented ballhandlers and get everyone involved with their crafty passes. Also, 2023 6-6 F Joachim Ametepe (13 points) was gritty at the point of the attack before fouling out late.

2024 6-4 G Isaiah Brown – Orlando Christian Prep

In a low scoring tilt, Orlando Christian Prep controlled the pace from the opening tip. Looking for its fourth consecutive state championship, 2024 guard Isaiah Brown had two complete halves with an 18-point outing. He crashes the boards, hustles in transition and can simply make plays to win games. His future is bright.

—2024 6-0 G Ameer Ramadam (13 points) did his thing out of the backcourt to the tune of 13 points. He is a highly gifted ballhandler, smooth shooter and bursty finisher.

2023 6-2 G Juan Barbista – North Florida Educational

North Florida Educational gave all it had in a loss to Sagemont even with leading scorer 2023 guard Isaac Tavares inactive. 2023 guard Juan Barbista shined as an attacker and lay-in artist with a 27-point night which included 10 free throws. Incredibly bouncy and fast, Barbista is going to make a college program look very smart for developing him.

—2023 6-2 G Jeremiah Kwarteng (20 points) followed suit, especially down the stretch. He routinely got to the cup and finished with his strength.

2023 6-8 F Danielius Kasparas – Sagemont

When Sagemont needed a bucket the most down the stretch, it was Danielius Kasparas who stepped up. The 2023 forward finished with 18 points and seven rebounds and finished around the rim in a win over North Florida Educational. Most importantly, Kasparas rose to the occasion with two key 2023 starters fouling out late, Maxx Martinez (11 points) and Tynan Becker (11 points)

—2024 6-3 G Devontae Jean (17 points) connected on five 3’s, including one key triple late to put Sagemont ahead by two scores. He is a dangerous shooter.

Notables:

2024 6-0 G Kyler Bryant – Chipley

It has been a steady season for Kyler Bryant, who netted 20 points for Chipley in a win over Hawthorne to earn a spot in Friday’s 1A state final. A downhill and attacking guard, Bryant also got it done with his jumper. He is a rock solid prospect.

2025 6-5 G CJ Ingram – Hawthorne

Scoring over half of his team’s points (26), CJ Ingram finished his sophomore campaign with a complete effort. He finished around the rim well in the late night loss to Chipley. Ingram is a long bodied and quick twitched guard, he will be just fine as he heads into the spring for AAU ball.

2024 6-6 F Jaylen Robinson – Providence

Jaylen Robinson was the best piece rolling for Providence in its loss to Windemere Prep. He got going as an aggressor and in the second half, he made some big buckets on his way to a 12-point performance. Robinson is a coveted prospect who will have a big spring and summer ahead drawing more college interest.

2024 6-6 G Ramone Seals – SLAM Tampa

Things didn’t go SLAM Tampa’s way in a loss to Class 2A stalworth Orlando Christian Prep. However, Ramone Seals flashed a lot of grit all game long despite the outcome. He ended with 10 points and fought through double and triple teams and was tough on both ends of the floor.

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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.