Lakeland Predictions

[KennyKallina]

[KennyKallina]

3 for 3 so far....Paulina Zaveckaite's 29 & 17 propelled The Rock in a huge upset of Trinity only one person predicted...every game so far has been at least a 10 point margin of victory sad the games arnt more competitve.

[KennyKallina]

Well I am now 9 out of 10. I have both State Champions so far and would just be thoroughly shocked of Boca Ciega beats Dillard. DIllard is by far the best team I've seen aside from Potters House this year.

A few notes from Lakeland

Paulina Zaveckaite racked up 44 points and 29 rebounds in 2 games in Lakeland. A lot of speculation has come from people who did not know the rock even so called experts who live just minutes away. The Rock's players are from Lithuania, Zaveckaite played with FGB in the fall and was one of our top post players, and has gotten interest from a lot of schools. Viktorija Damaite is playing with the Orlando Comets and is also a high major recruit. Greta (dont know the last name) is headed to the University of Tampa.

I talked to a college coach last night who couldnt decide who he'd rather have Zaveckaite or Danielle McCray, as of last summer McCray was a top 50-75 player nationally.


FGB's Latavia Dempsey carried Boca Ciega in the first half with 11 points she finished with 19, Tamara Taylor had a cold night. Pine Forest just is too far out to get the type of competition that other teams get in major cities. Boca hasnt played much of a schedule this year but has guard and guards win a lot of games.

Speaking of guards Dawnn Maye and Tykeyah Williams picked up two early fouls yesterday when Dillard led Winter Haven 20-8, Winter Haven took the lead shortly before halftime but only for a posession and Dillard opened up the 2nd half 5-2 then with a 9-0 run after leading 34-34. The game wasnt as close as indicated by the final score.

I assume Dillard wins by 15-20 tonightbut who knows they do play passive on offense and if they get in foul trouble they do not have a deep bench. Crowds yesterday were sparse. I'll be down tomorrow night to see LakeMary/South Broward and Dr Phillips/Lourdes.

Bishop Moore lost today by 1 to Tampa Cathlolic. The Hornets led the entire game and I dont know what you can call the last 8 years but dissapointing. Bishop Moore loses the last piece of their dyansty from the Brady era with Sarah Blackburn but the team has only won 1 state championship (Shekianh Brazzle), ennifer George starts at Florida but all world Lindsey Watson didnt make it to her first game at Hofstra and Blackburn is headed D2.

[Moramarco]

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Take a shot, it is okay. It amazes me how everytime I try to catch up with him, he changes directions and runs. He does the same to several people.

I also know for a fact that he is trying to recruit several kids to his school and that he is currently "demanding" a public high school in the Central Florida area hire him as head coach or he is going to have the kids transfer to another school. Two words: Call Evans. Three words: Call Terry Parker. This does not shock me.

Last year, he was trying to recruit a couple kids that I have known since they were knee high.

He sells them on the following promises:
1) No FCAT
2) Do not have to come to practice. Just show up for games.
3) to play a national schedule. There is nothing wrong with that, but... at least play a schedule that will not embarrass the 5 kids on the floor. Potter's House was WAY out of the league!
4) get them out of class.
5) other violations of both NCAA/NAIA/JUCO rules on being a non-professional. He cannot pay your way for anything! He cannot rent your car to travel to an out of town event! He cannot pay for your lodging! He cannot pay for your airline ticket. If you (as a parent) accept this, you just lost your child's chance to play at the next level. One player I know of almost lost everything because of this... and she played for his summer program!

To parents of children that attend private schools, please make sure your school has accreditation. Please make sure your school is not on probation through their certification association. Lastly, make sure your child is being prepared with a solid curriculum that will prepare them for college even if they do not play college sports.

Remember folks, this is the same person that just a few years ago was selling his organization as a "Pro-High School" organization (with admittedly myself, Kim Burke, and Jason Barnard). I never claim to be perfect and at one time I tried to work with him. It is now "pro-Summer" because so many of the high school coaches know what his CHARACTER is...

Ask around people. Do not be the person that represents himself in court. He has a fool for a lawyer and a sucker for a client!

He claims that he got Selina Archer to sign at Miami. I think that had Coach Gibbs down in Miami rolling... It probably has Mr. Archer laughing his butt off too. I thought Mr. Archer made it clear to not write about Selina anymore... and Mills from Wesley Chapel High School to Stetson. Yeah, same person who wrote that Stetson recinded the scholarship as he tried to throw her under the bus. I personally helped Ms. Mills reconnect and sign with Stetson. Ask Mr. Mills. Better yet, ask Coach Lynn Bria!

Does his organization provide an opportunity for kids to go and play? YES.

Does it provide another team for a kid to play summer basketball and get potentially exposed? YES!

Will it develop kids? Ask "The Edge" (Dee Brown). Ask several kids who played for his organization but he could not help get into school. It is NOT only about how many points you score!

Everyone who follows women's sports knows about the Breakdown, Comets, Essence, and Lady Rams teams here in Florida (listed alpha-order). I think several others deserve mention too for providing local area teams. South Florida Jags, Hollywood Eagles, Gainesville Warriors, PC CHallenge, Tallahassee Comets, Tampa Extreme, Orlando Hoops, Lakeland Lady Cavs, Debo, the old Sista's Wit Game/Team Ball organization out of Jacksonville... They all provide kids a chance. I give all the coaches who contribute their time, knowledge, and personal finances to help kids get an opportunity.

Parents, if the grass looks greener on the other side, it is probably because it is on top of a septic.

What made me speak up after being silent for so long? I have seen enough. I saw what he did to Cheetah Delgado. He threw her under the bus because she did not go to play for him.

He tried to do it to K's daughter (destroy her chance at Vandy). He has been trying to throw me under a bus since I left FGB. Shortly afterwards, Kim and Jason left and he has made them out to be terrible.

When you "Ban" high school coaches from your "events" from Orange County Public Schools, that should send a RED FLAG folks.

I never claimed to be an expert. I have done what I do for nearly 2 decades. I do not own a big corporate office. This is not even a source of income. This is a passion... I do not have a bluetooth in my ear pretending to be a "big wig". I am not even 10% of what the great Basketball Bob Corwin was to high school hoops in this state. Nobody compares (or compared) to Basketball Bob.

Dan, Brett, Pat, Kim, Jack, Jason, Laurie, Robert H., James, Renee, Tony, and several others do a lot for young women in this state. If I forgot someone, I do apologize. There are MANY good people in this state (and many nationally) that do things from the heart AND NOT for their pocket.

Oh... I been in THE ROCK's GYM a few times! I had them picked for the Final Four and thought they could win state, but I did pick incorrectly. I do not only go to see "great" teams, but also look for the hidden players at Baldwin, West Nassau, Baker County, Bradford County. I am not just a D1 chaser. I help all levels of players.

[KennyKallina]

[KennyKallina]

Back to basketball...because this isnt about some name calling fight its about Lakeland!

Intersting night tonight where I was wrong and right at the same time. Dillard did beat Boca Ciega but it was closer then I thought it would be.

I think Dillard's pace and theory on how to win games contributes a significant amount to the close games. They use their athleticism to speed the oppositions pace on offense but when they are on offense they're rather methodical. Connor had a rough 2 games production wise but came away with points and you cant score if you dont shoot. Maye was fantastic, while I still think Alicia DeVaughn is the #1 player in Florida Maye controlled the 5A final four and aside from Potters House I think they're the top team in the state this year hands down.

After a strong first game Latavia struggled some from the field, Tamara scored more points tonight but didnt shoot a great percentage. Dillard would be pretty vulnerable if someone could reel off 6-8 points prior to them getting safely ahead.

A bigger suprise statistically to me was T'keyah Williams and Candace Parsons combining for 2 points according to the stats I saw.

I was pretty critical about the zone and one dimensional defense by Boca Ciega but it limited Dillard inside which was key for them to stay in the game and sure enough they stayed in the game. Because of this the game ended up being much more competitive.

I picked 3 players as the "Difference Makers" for each of their three teams while this isnt rocket science I feel pretty good about my picks

5A - Dawn Maye - Clearly the MVP. For Maye to be an All ACC Player she's going to have to be a threat from the outside. Some would say this is bashing the kid to me its stating the obvious, a Dawnn Maye who can really shoot it is someone who is a McDonalds All American. Watching Maye, she looked like someone 1) Who loved the game and 2) who really enjoyed it. Too many people arnt having fun, If we rode around with camera's I'd bet we take more pictures of negative reactions then positive ones and Maye was soaking it all in and having a blast. Marcia Pinder coached the McDonald's All American game last year and she is probably the most successful coach in the state left. I was really impressed how she's adapted over the years and the way she handled her team.

3A - Colette Eule - A kid who played with us some last year still going D1 and is a hard worker. Tampa Catholic was down and she brought them back. She did a fantastic job back to back years focusing on her mission and accomplishing her goal.

1A - Someone a lot of people didnt know before who's got all eyes on them now Paulina Zaveckaite. Typically European players are categorized as being "soft" or "slow" but she's a fierce competitor and great kid. I have become a better person by being around Paulina at workouts and look forward to seeing where her recruiting journey takes her this summer. I think she's pretty underrated and someone is going to get a real steal. I think she can be the heart of a team which everyone feeds off of and while the Rock was down and almost out today she sparked them to victory congrats.

I will be heading down tomorrow to see Dr. Phillips, I hope they win so we can get Dee Brown in the house from Springfield this weekend. Lexie brown is another kid who's the heart of a team and a consummate leader and professional.Because she plays out of state aau and doesnt just play AAU alot of people dont know her well be thorough prepared to be impressed.

Have a great night...Kenny