12 days of hoops: See best boys basketball games to catch in Palm Beach County this December
The holiday season rarely fails to be stuffed with cheer, family, good food and better memories, but this December, let's not forget what else the month has to offer.
Basketball, basketball and more basketball.
In Palm Beach County, the home of 2023 6A boys state champion Dwyer, that's just how we like it.
The 2024 season got rolling for local squads in November. Now that fall sports have officially wrapped up for teams in the county, hoopers who also hold down the gridiron are back on the hardwood, meaning teams are heading into December fully loaded, and hopefully, settled in.
Take a look below to see 12 days of the area's best boys basketball this month.
Boys basketball games to make it to this month
Dec. 1
Jupiter Christian at Atlantic Christian, 7 p.m.: Returning from an 18-5 run last winter, Atlantic Christian is looking to make a statement with a payback win against Jupiter Christian after being eliminated by the Eagles 58-38 in the district championship back in February. The Sharks are off to a 4-0 start, benefiting from 2023's battles against tough big schools like Lake Worth.
Palm Beach Central at Lake Worth, 7:30 p.m.: There's little reason to believe Lake Worth won't remain undefeated against the Broncos, but Central, 1-2, is going to be out to make a statement. With new coach John Saint Juste, Central came into the season with sought-after additions to the roster and the status of a highly touted playoff candidate.
The team picked up its first win 58-43 on Tuesday against Boca Raton, led by a 29-point performance from Bryan Joseph.
Park Vista at Santaluces, 7:30 p.m.: A rivalry matchup to start the month? Yes, please.
After the Cobras were just four points away from forcing overtime against Cardinal Newman and South Plantation, and eight shy of going out of regulation against Grandview Prep, Vista picked up its first win of the season 63-61 at Suncoast.
As for 2-2 Santaluces, rest assured the Chiefs will be chippy. Especially after ending the 2023 regular season with a 30-point defeat from Vista.
Dec. 5
Trinity Christian at Cardinal Newman, 7 p.m.: Trinity Christian hopes to build on the success of its 18-9 record and 2A playoff appearance in 2023 with a win over a Newman team that's been unstoppable with senior Jermaine Council on the floor. These two didn't meet last winter, but the matchup will be the measuring stick the Warriors need to see where they stand among championship-caliber competition.
Lake Worth at Martin County, 7 p.m.: This one isn't in Palm Beach County, but it's close enough and worth the drive. Don Wallen Arena is pretty cushy for a high school venue, after all. The 2021 6A state champ Martin County saw an early elimination in region quarterfinals last winter, but the underclassmen who forged that run are back a year wiser against a Lake Worth crew depleted of such star seniors as Marvin Golf and Calvin Sirmans.
Of course, the Trojans reached 7A region semifinals in February with their own host of returning impact players, which is why Lake Worth is undefeated now. Having former Wellington standout Sean Standifer on the floor this season helps, too.
Dec. 7
Lake Worth Christian at Oxbridge, 5:30 p.m.: Oxbridge is going to be a well-trialed group by the time the ThunderWolves will host Lake Worth Christian. North Broward Prep, Gardens and King's Academy were Oxbridge's first three opponents. Other than Wellington on Dec. 5, there isn't a lot of grit in the early weeks of LWC's schedule. Height down the roster for Oxbridge, plus the talent of players like junior Jarret Mauvais and freshman Jayden St. Fort, could leave the Defenders defenseless.
Royal Palm Beach at King's, 7 p.m.: A senior-led roster for Royal Palm Beach has the local hoops scene excited for what coach Deonte Savage and the Wildcats could be capable of this year. Although Dec. 7 opponent King's lost its own host of stars like Jack Chamberlin to graduation and Jermaine Council to Cardinal Newman in the offseason, the Lions reloaded accordingly to keep the wins coming.
King's, which paved a 27-2 route to the 3A region championship last winter, defeated their its first four opponents of 2024 by an average of 29.8 points.
Dec. 8
Dwyer at Suncoast, 7:30 p.m.: Only one team, Lake Worth, beat reigning 6A state champion Dwyer, last winter. Suncoast was one of the only others to come close, falling 46-45 to the Panthers. For this rematch, though, Suncoast's Stone Bureau, now a Calvary Christian Eagle, and graduate Nate Sasser, who led scoring with 19 points last winter, won't be accompanying three-star Tulsa commit Ian Smikle on the court.
Jupiter at Palm Beach Gardens, 7:30 pm.: This Military Trail battle could be more competitive than the last few between the Warriors and the Gators. In 2024, Gardens is under the direction of James Lake, who earned well-deserved acclaim for his turnaround of the program at John I. Leonard. Meanwhile, for Jupiter, the Warriors appeared to be nearing the end of rebuild with a 20-7 run to district semifinals.
Coach JD DePasquale, who got the nod at Jupiter in 2021, coached his team to a 65-54 win over Gardens last winter.
Dec. 9
Cardinal Newman at Benjamin, 4 p.m.: The Buccaneers' starting lineup is trying to get through the growing pains expected to come with the graduations of Gavin Aydelotte, now playing at Lincoln Memorial University, and 2023 senior standout Sanjae Moncrieffe.
However, these foes haven't met since the first round of the 1A state playoff in 2021, when Benjamin eliminated Newman 43-36. On top of that, this year's rosters feature football stars on both sides of the ball, so fans can count on some leftover tensions from the Crusaders denying the Bucs not only a district championship but the ticket to region finals.
Dec. 11
Somerset Academy-Canyons at Inlet Grove, 7:30 p.m.: These two programs have been navigating successful seasons despite not returning a number of key starters to the floor. With similar schedule strengths and so many new, young faces for this year's teams, the outcome of this one is a toss-up, which could mean a Monday night on the edge of the bleachers for attendees.
Dec. 12
Park Vista at John I. Leonard, 7:30 p.m.: Vista's going to be the test that tells where Leonard stands after the exit of Lake. Now under the leadership of Eddie Tolliver, the Lancers are hopeful they'll have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2015. If Leonard is able to get away with the close one the Cobras have been seen to let go in the first games of the season, it'll send a message for opponents to come.
Dec. 13
Atlantic at Forest Hill, 7:30 p.m.: Atlantic coach Tony Watson will be heading back to the school he once called home, starting in 2016. There, he and the Eagles will meet the coach who took his place after Watson's trophy-winning tenure at Palm Beach Gardens came to an end, Mark Climo, and the Falcons.
Dec. 15
Olympic Heights at Boca Raton, 7:30 p.m.: A series that's gone back and forth since 2018, the rivalry between these two neighbors doesn't disappoint. In 2023, the Lions won 53-51. If patterns are any indication, this year's battle will go to Boca. The Bobcats are coming back from a 13-9 run last winter while Olympic Heights, which went 11-15 with star Caleb Mackrey's move to the next level, is looking to get back in the win column.
Dec. 21
Grandview Prep at St. John Paul II, 7 p.m.: From 4-5 in 2022 to 14-7 in 2023, Grandview Prep is still trending in the right direction as the 2024 season gets started, as told by a 62-50 win over Park Vista. Alternatively, St. John Paul II has spent the early part of the year finding its identity without longtime power player and Austin Peay prospect Kyle Edison, who is working his way up at the next level.
By the time Dec. 21 rolls around, these programs will have learned a lot about themselves and, hopefully, give a matchup that reflects that.
Dec. 22
Wellington at Palm Beach Central, 7:30 p.m.: Wellington Cup — hoops edition. Wellington's defense has drowned opponents since the season's first tipoff, a 66-16 victory against Seminole Ridge. On Dec. 22, the Wolverines will meet their crosstown rivals for the first time since a 52-47 overtime victory in region quarterfinals of the 2021 Class 7A state playoff.
It's a safe bet that Central seniors David Nelson, Matthew Podziukaitis, and Alexander Tellison will want payback.
Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: High school boys basketball: Best games to see in Palm Beach this December
