Hoop Exchange Florida High School Tour: Stop #2 – Academic Cup

Posted by Brad Winton on Dec 1, 2011 in EBS News

The 3rd Annual Academic Cup, unique to FL, will be held at Pine Crest School in 2011 and is the 2nd stop on Hoop Exchange’s Florida High School Tour. The four schools, including Berkeley Prep, Pine Crest, St Andrews and Ransom Everglades, have the highest level of academic excellence. These schools account for 84 Merit scholars in 2011, boast an impressive 99% college advancement rate and have 24 alums currently playing basketball in the college ranks. Pine crest also has one player (Brandon Knight) playing at the professional level.

Pine Crest, the 2009 & 2010 Academic Cup Champions, will seek their third straight Academic Cup title. This year’s field features the original Academic Cup members who come into the event with high expectations and potent rosters.
It will be by far the most competitive Cup with each team having a well-balanced roster led by one or two highly ranked & heavily recruited players. All four schools compete in FHSAA 4A classification. This will be an early test as all four have a legitimate chance to compete for a state title. Pine Crest is currently ranked #3 in class 4A, St. Andrews comes in at #9 in class 4A, with Berkeley Prep and Ransom just outside the top 10.

Pine Crest, led by David Beckerman, has been to two straight final four appearances and looks to repeat. Ransom features Sam Singer who has multiple high-major offers and interest. St. Andrews is led by Max Ralby, who is looking at Ivy League options. Berkley Prep will lean on sophomore Justin Gray who has some early high-major interest and two-sport standout Nelson Aguilar (high-major football recruit).

December 2
5:45 Berkeley Prep vs St Andrews
7:30 Ransom Everglades vs Pine Crest

December 3
4:00 Consolation Game
5:30 Championship Game