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TEAM RECAP: HoopMIA Team Camp

By HoopMIA, 06/20/17, 2:00PM EDT

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The second annual Hoop MIA team camp was held at the Miami springs recreation center this past weekend from June 16th-18th. This year’s tournament featured fifteen different teams across the South Florida region, all competing and participating in at least five games over the weekend. These teams all featured young talent and fierce competition throughout the weekend; giving parents, coaches and fans everything they wanted to see and more. 

 

-Special thanks to the Junior Orange Bowl, Miami Hoop School, Triple Threat FIT and JR Capital for sponsoring our event.

 

NOTES FROM TEAMCAMP

 

MIAMI TROPICS - Champions

 

The Miami Tropics, led by coach Juan Cardona, were undermanned but still found a way to win the championship at this year’s team camp. Jeffrey Hernandez and Miguel Diaz led the Tropics to a 6-1 record over the weekend. The Tropics style of play seemed to wear teams down all weekend long. Their aggressive run and jump defensive style dictated the pace for every game that helped their players, such as Hernandez, to get out in transition and dominate the tournament from the guard position. The Tropics have multiple college prospects on their roster despite not having high major guard Neftali Alvarez during camp. Congratulations to the Champs.

 

Westminster Academy- Runner Ups

 

The favorite in most peoples eyes coming into the weekend was Coach Wallhoff’s Westminster Academy Lions. Led by class of 2018 guard, Zach Scott, WMA finished 6-2 over the weekend, suffering their only two losses to the same team, the Miami Tropics. WMA bolstered the most talented roster with at least four division one prospects in Sam Griffin, Chase Johnston, Dudley Blackwell and Zach Scott. WMA seems to be in prime position to defend their state championship this upcoming season.

 

DSBG

 

DSBG, which is mostly made up of South Miami Senior High School varsity players, was one of the most impressive teams of the weekend. Southridge transfers Toru Dean and Lee Fleenor led the way for DSBG at team camp. As he always does, Coach Robert Doctor demanded the highest amount of energy and effort from his players over the weekend. This group should grow nicely together and there should not be much of a drop off in their quest to win a state championship without Oklahoma State guard Zach Dawson at the helm. 

 

FLORIDA CHRISTIAN

 

One of the most surprising teams of the weekend was the Patriots of Florida Christian led by Head Coach Jason Doan. The patriots young tandem of John “Mikey” Square and Markhi Strickland set the tone for the Patriots all weekend long. This young team was one of scrappiest teams we watched all weekend, so scrappy in fact that they gave the Tropics a run for their money in the semi final matchup. Square and Strickland are still only scratching the surface in terms of reaching their potential. This weekend showed us that they could be one of the more formidable duos in South Florida throughout their high school careers.

 

BELEN

 

The Wolverines, led by Coach Chachi Rodriguez, were very impressive this weekend at team camp. Belen went 5-1 and also handed the champs their only loss of the weekend. The combination of Alec Rodriguez and Marcos Dajer proved to be too much to handle for most teams over the weekend. The Wolverines were undersized but made up for size with heart and grit. Look for Belen to surprise a lot of people in South Florida this upcoming season.

 

TRIPLE THREAT

 

Team Triple Threat, led by LaSalle Head Coach Michael Guilbaud, struggled over the course of the weekend going 0-4. Despite finishing winless, they competed hard and showed flashes throughout the tournament. Pride George displayed his ability to control the tempo of any game at point guard and Forward Derrick Bernabeu played every game with a relentless motor despite being outmatched and undersized throughout the weekend.

 

SOUTHRIDGE

 

Led by former Miami High standout Marcus Barnes, Southridge bolstered a new style of play since the new Head Coach took over the program. The team looked uncomfortable this weekend but that is due to a new system and style of play that is demanded by Coach Barnes. While they undoubtedly struggled, Ronaldo Gallo and Markeis Damon seemed to be bright spots in the culture change. 

 

KILLIAN

 

Led by Killian alumni Austin Perez, the Cougars were undermanned but still competed and won one of their three games. Coach Perez has a bright future in brother’s Shawn and Dominic Nelson who both competed and played well despite being two of the youngest players in the tournament.

 

MATER ACADEMY 

 

Coming off an FIU team camp championship, Mater played hard despite having a very tough schedule. Although Marcos “Shaky” Rodriguez did not coach this weekend, His son, Eric Rodriguez brings the same passion and toughness when coaching on the sideline. His players responded well, winning four out of their seven games this weekend. Led by Alejandro Simoza and Jesus Duquesne, Mater should be one of the premier teams in Dade County by the start of next season.

 

BLANCHE ELY

 

One thing is certain about Coach Melvin Randall’s teams, they always compete and defend at the highest level. Hoop MIA team camp was no different as Blanche Ely displayed their ability to defend and compete in any brand of basketball. Rising senior point guard, Michale Forrest, was one of the best guards at team camp all weekend. Combo guard Anthony Byrd was also impressive on the defensive end for Blanche Ely. Look for Blanche Ely to continue to be one of the premier programs in all of South Florida.

 

HIALEAH MIAMI GARDENS

 

Led by rising senior point guard Marlon Suarez, Hialeah Miami Gardens was able to compete and hang around in just about every game they played this weekend. That says a lot about this team because they were by far the youngest team in the entire tournament and almost qualified for the playoffs.

 

MIAMI BEACH

 

Led by Head Coach Jacob Shaw, Miami Beach was able to compete all weekend. They are a tough and gritty team and their style of play has the ability to be disruptive and wear down any opponent. They boast a roster of many rising juniors, including Jerry William who showed flashes of what he become throughout the entire weekend.

 

ST BRENDANS

 

Although they did not win any games, Head Coach Kevin Esteban has his team competing and playing hard at all times. There were a few games this weekend that came down to one or two possessions that could've gone in the Sabres favor, however, the ball just didn't bounce their way. This is a dangerous team that plays with a chip on their shoulder and with nothing to lose.

 

NORTHEAST

 

Led by Head Coach DD Gillion, Northeast did not play up to their coaches standards over the weekend finishing with a record of 2-3. Despite underperforming, Northeast trots out a talented group of guys including Angel Smith and David Didenko. Look for their aggressive style to improve as we lead up to the season under the direction of Coach Gillion.

 

TEAM PETE

 

Although they only brought five players and only participated in a few games this weekend, Team Pete was still competing hard a this weekends team camp. Jordan Smith displayed his scoring ability as well as his toughness as he played the last five minutes of his first game while his nose was gushing with blood.