City of Palms: Lessons learned Tuesday night
FORT MYERS, FL - We are back at the best high school tournament in the country - the City of Palms - for all of the hot action at Florida Southwestern State College. Here’s a look at the things we liked along the way on Tuesday.
Best performers: 2019 studs Vernon Carey, Jr. of University School (FL) and James Wiseman of Memphis East (TN). Fun to watch the narrative of who is better between the two here at the City of Palms. Both players very talented. Both ranked No. 1 by services. Great stage for this debate.
Best surprise (at least for me): 2020 WF Tony Sanders of Gulliver Prep (FL).
Best passer: 2020 PG Gabe Taylor of Gulliver Prep (FL).
Best team (so far): Memphis East. Just so much talent. Just so many weapons.
Trey Doomes did just about everything in an impressive University School (FL) win over Archbishop Molloy. the Atlanta native scored 18 points (6-9 FG, 6-7 FT), collected nine rebounds, handed out six assists and recorded three steals. I thought he was the most efficient player on Tuesday that I saw here at the City of Palms.
Georgia Tech went to Archbishop Molloy in New York and landed one of the program’s most recognizable players in school history in Kenny Anderson. Three decades later, the Jackets went back to the school and signed Khalid Moore. Let’s just be clear here - Moore isn't Anderson. Not by a mile. But Moore is what the Jackets need right now. He’s an energy-giver on both ends of the floor. He scored 23 points (9-13 FG) and grabbed seven rebounds against a very good University School from Florida. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him jump into the rotation right out of he gate and even contend for starter’s minutes as a freshman.
I like the idea of Archbishop Molloy center Moses Brown as a NBA player. He’s 7-foot-2, aggressive on both ends and steadily improving. He scored 18 points (9-15 FG), grabbed seven rebounds and had four blocks against fellow 5-star Vernon Carey, Jr. Brown is uniquely tall and has the physical attributes of a young man that will eventually shake hands with Adam Silver on a June night.
I liked everything Trendon Watford did last tonight for Mountain Brook. Despite losing to California powerhouse Mater Dei, Watford went for 31 points (12-16 FG, 7-10 FT) and 11 rebounds. He’s having as productive of a season of any player in the 2019 class nationally and doing it against some of the best talent in the country.