Brandone Francis, a future Florida Gator, is one of at least a half-dozen players on the Arlington Country Day team that could end up playing high major college basketball.
Photo by Jim Redman
Rex Morgan
2012-13 record: 30-4
Players to watch: Dante Buford (6-8, Sr., G/F),
Brandone Francis (6-6, Sr., G, Florida verbal commitment),
LaDamion Keys (6-9, Sr., F),
Nate Mason Jr. (6-0, Sr., G, Minnesota verbal commitment),
K.J. Maura (5-8, Sr., G),
Terrell Miller (6-8, Sr., F),
D.J. Russell (6-6, Fr., G/F, Miami verbal commitment),
Ali Sinera (6-9, Sr., F/C),
Lamonte Turner (6-2, So., G)
Breaking down the ApachesWill there be enough shots to go around at ACD? That's about the only hole you can poke in the Apaches' preseason national rankings viability.
The Apaches have potentially a dozen future Division I players on the roster and have added a couple of lengthy international players who are intriguing mysteries. Sinera is from Ghana and received positive reviews at the Florida Fall Festival while 7-footer
Antanas Krimelis came to Jacksonville from Lithuania.
Dante Buford returns from a 30-win campaign at ACD a year ago.
Photo by Jim Redman
Francis, who is from the Dominican Republic, is a key returner who can play some point guard at 6-5. Mason, another ballhandler that can fill it up, appeared headed for Montrose Christian in Maryland this fall but took a late detour and will hook up with Francis in the ACD backcourt.
Turner averaged 13 points per game last year for Sparkman (Harvest), which reached the 6A championship game in Alabama.
The wing and forward spots are loaded. Buford, Keys, Miller and likely Sinera are all 30-minute-per-game players in most programs but will be timesharing at ACD.
Stepping upRussell, a freshman who committed to Miami in July long before ever playing a high school game, will have to be special to get minutes with the aforementioned group of forwards, but early reports indicate he may be just that.
According to
Michael Casagrande of the Sun Sentinel, Russell took an unofficial visit to Miami last season during a blowout win over North Carolina. He was seated for the game about 10 feet from his idol – LeBron James.
Well played, Hurricanes.
Key datesNov. 30 – vs.
St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) at Orlando, Fla.
Dec. 7 – vs.
Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.) at Southside Showdown
Dec. 14 – vs.
Prime Prep (Dallas) at Florida Hoops Challenge
Dec. 21-23 – Chick-fil-A Classic
Jan. 9 – at
Oldsmar Christian (Fla.)Jan. 14 – vs.
The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.)Jan. 19 – vs.
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) at Spalding Hoophall Classic
Jan. 25 – vs.
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) at Penny Hardaway Classic
Jan. 29 – vs.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) at Beckley, W.Va.
Feb. 4 – vs. Oldsmar Christian
Feb. 6 – at The Rock
