Vote: Who is the South Florida boys basketball Player of the Week (1/22/2024)?
With the regular season winding down, it’s time for the South Florida boys basketball teams to step up.
They've been doing just that, as evident by the impressive play from many performers throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
SBLive Sports Florida is keeping up with the action, and recognizing the top performances.
It’s that time once again to cast your vote for the South Florida boys basketball Player of the Week.
Our polls are intended to be fun, while providing exposure to as many players and programs as possible. Players, coaches and schools are encouraged to nominate their choices by contacting @JoeFrisaro on X (formerly Twitter).
As a reminder, you can vote as often as you would like, and we encourage you to spread the word so these athletes receive as much exposure as possible.
This week’s nominees are:
Dante Allen, G, Riviera Prep: In the Wally Keller Classic in Punta Gorda, Allen paced the Bulldogs with 16 points in a loss to powerhouse, Winter Haven. Earlier in the week, he added 18 points in a win over St. Thomas Aquinas. Allen is averaging 19.9 points per game this season.
Dwight Gaines, G, NSU University: Listed as a 5-foot-8 freshman, Gaines dropped 30 points, including eight 3-pointers, against Hialeah Educational Academy. Also, in a win against American Heritage, the freshman added 12 points.
Easton Gelin, G, Monsignor Pace: The Spartans enjoyed an impressive 67-42 win against Marathon, with Gelin pacing the scoring with 21 points, while adding three assists and four steals. Gelin had 47 points and 18 rebounds during the week.
Harry Gelin, W, South Plantation: Not to be confused with Easton Gelin of Monsignor Pace, Harry Gelin is a 6-foot-3 senior win player for South Plantation. Gelin paced the Paladins with 22 points and seven rebounds, with four assists and four steals against St. Brendan.
Ethan Panton-Hazell, W, Western: In a 13-point win against Northeast, Panton-Hazell paced the Wildcats with 22 points. In two other games, both wins, the junior chipped in with 17 points and 11 points.
Santiago Henriquez, G, Palmetto: The junior turned in a 27-point performance in a win against Miami Northwestern, while adding four assists and six steals.
Patrick Liburd, F, Sagemont: Liburd had a 22-points game, with six rebounds in Sagemont’s 64-55 win against Miami Norland in the Dr. Martin Luther King Classic at McArthur High.
Alexander Lloyd, G, Westminster Academy: A 6-foot-4 junior, Lloyd dropped 26 points in a win against Orlando Christian Prep on Saturday. The night before, in an 89-71 victory against Bell Creek Academy Riverview, the guard added 20 points.
Jansen Lopez, G, True North Classical Academy: Lopez made 14 of 25 field goal attempts, and finished with 38 points in the Titans win over Miami Christian. Lopez also chipped in with five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Earlier in the week, Lopez had a 16-points performance against Martin County.
Raul Perez Ruiz, G, North Broward Prep: The senior had a monster game in the Eagles’ 55-51 win over St. Thomas Aquinas. Perez Ruiz scored 35 points, while adding seven rebounds. He followed that up with 28 points in a win over Saint Andrews.
Calvin Russell, F, Miami Northwestern: Russell continues to have a strong season. The sophomore tossed in 26 points against Plantation, while adding 16 rebounds.
Clarence Westbrook, G, St. Thomas Aquinas: The freshman had 18 points, two rebounds, an assist and three steals in a win over Miami Beach. Westbrook also had a 14-point performance earlier in the week against North Broward Prep.
Christian Yeargin, G, Stranahan: In a nine-point win over Miramar, the sophomore finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Also in the week, Yeargin had eight points and seven rebounds against Western.
