Girls Hoops Starting Line: Five Takeaways from Preseason

Opening Week! Girls Hoops opens up for the season this week, and I know everyone is excited for the year to begin. I spent every night last week (after my full-time job) attending preseason games, and I wanted to share some things that I took away from all of this early action. Here are five of my takeaways from what I personally saw this week:   Florida HAS Talent There is so much talent in the state of Florida when it comes to girls hoops. This is something that should be known statewide and nationwide. Florida has about 50-55 Division 1 commitments each year on average. It is typically a similar number for NAIA and maybe half that number goes D2 with a few less going D3. However, the vast majority of our Florida girls will go to a JUCO. That is a lot of players and a lot of talent to keep track of. I am going to do my best to bring exposure to all of these incredible ladies.   Tampa Bay Tech is the Team to Beat This season, Florida has two teams in the top 25 (depending where you look) with Tampa Bay Tech and Miami Country Day. I got to witness Tech dominate during preseason with a solid squad who will by vying for national attention all year. Sophomore Janiah Barker is one of the best players in the country with her shot blocking, rebounding, and ability to score at all three levels. Junior Jasmine Peaks had a solid stroke and smooth handles. Sophomore Amiya Evans dominated the paint. Junior Jayla Murray played great defense and hit her free throws. Junior K'Nisha Godfrey did a little bit of everything well. This team is loaded, and I only mentioned their starters (no seniors) as they have some nice bench players, too. But like I said, there is SO much talent in the state.   I Saw Quality Teams I only saw each of these teams play one game, so I wouldn't read much into these rankings. I was impressed with the play I saw from these ten:   1. Tampa Bay Tech (6A) - See above for my reasoning here. They are ranked Top 10 nationally anywhere you look (6th by MaxPreps and 10th by USA Today). They outscored their opponents 141-13 in their two preseason games. Tech is looking to repeat at State Champions again this year.   2. Florida Prep (2A) - They started off slow in the game I saw, but they are going to have a tremendous season with the amount of length and height they have. Florida Prep beat two nice squads with Braden River taking it to OT and a new-look Santa Fe Catholic team. They have one of the best Freshman in the state with 6-footer Emma Risch who is known as a shooter, but she rebounds and passes awfully well, too. In preseason play, Ole Miss product Aleah Sorrentino (who is back from injury) looked really smooth for not playing in such a long time. Aleah was strong around the hoop, and she can shoot it from anywhere. So. Shamya Joiner showed some great energy, and is an incredible teammate on both ends of the floor. FL Prep added even more size/length with Emani Burks who should be on all college's radars with the athleticism she has at her size. The Falcons play a very tough schedule, and are favorites to repeat as 2A State Champs after winning last year's title by 32 points.   3. Braden River (6A) - O'Mariah Gordon was the best player I saw this week. She put up an impressive 77 points between the two preseason games. They also have Julia Rodriguez who is a D1 commit (Kennesaw St) that doesn't get enough credit. The Pirates lost last year in the Regional Finals to Tampa Bay Tech who would go on to win it all.   4. Southeast (Bradenton) (5A) - The Seminoles are going to make some noise this year. I saw them fight back from being down 12 points to an impressive Winter Haven team to get a 3-point win. Perryouna Youmans can flat out carry a team with her shooting and defense, and Kayla McDuffie has a beautiful shot. They aren't tall, but Charmaine Murray is a tough presence in the post who has nice touch around the rim. Ce'Mya Brooks might the X-factor between this team being good or being great by leading them back to state with her court awareness and ability to take care of the rock. Southeast lost a tough game in the State Semifinals last year by 1 point to Bishop Kenny.   5. Winter Haven (6A) - The Lady Blue Devils were without Trinity Hardy in the game I saw, but they still looked very good with the addition of Jaida Young. The best player on the night I went was Sophomore Kayla Smith who can score at all three levels, and is looking to have a strong career. I expect Jr. Jazmine Spencer, Jr. Shomari Phillips, and Sr. Shelby Ricks to play big roles as leaders in this teams success. Winter Haven got knocked out in the Regional Semi's last year, and I think they will be hungry to do more damage this season.   6. Brooks DeBartolo (3A) - The Phoenix are a tough squad that has a strong, complete lineup. They play fast, and they only have one senior on the team. Jr. Amarie Godwin is really who drove this offense with her playmaking ability, court vision, and basketball IQ. Triniti Youngblood is another Junior who can carry this team with her ability to score using her strong frame. Don't forget about another Junior in Brionna McClinton who was stroking from the deep corners during the game I witnessed. They didn't have Junior Ayonna Simmons in this one, but once she is back, they will be fully loaded. Two underclassmen really impressed me as well with Jaela Davis shooting the lights out, and using her quickness to create some turnovers. Freshman Maia Lewers is another name to keep an eye out for as she played like a veteran in this one. Brooks DeBartolo made it to the Regional Finals last year, and they are in a lower class this year. Expect some noise from them!   7. West Orange (7A) - This Warriors team has a very balanced attack who was led by sharp shooting Senior Camryn Siemer in the game I watched. She had six threes as part of her game-high 26 total points. West Orange also features two of the best Sophomores in the state with 6'3 Paris Pickett and Ajalon Gillard. Paris is a strong lefty who has nice touch and finish with her solid post moves. She is a beast on the boards, too. Ajalon is a crafty passer who sees the court, but can score with the best of them. Two Juniors in Lakada Bryant and Kyla Cruz make this team very well-rounded. Lakada is another strong post presence that plays hard, and Kyla did a little bit of everything which is exactly the type of teammate you want. West Orange will look to avenge a Regional Semifinals loss from last season.   8. Lakewood (4A) - This is my vote for the best team in Pinellas County. Lakewood lost a transfer in Olivia Delancy, but they are an athletic bunch that play hard. Senior Macey Zeh-Ardnt is one of the best posts in 4A ball, and they also have Junior Nauvi Williams that is an unreal athlete. Don't count out Sophomore Reilly Webb as she is one of the smartest players I've seen on the court, and leaves everything out there too. The reclassification of Florida High School's helps Lakewood as they were bumped out in the Regional Semifinals to Southeast who is now a class higher than them.   9. Santa Fe Catholic (3A) - The Lady Hawks can shoot the lights out. Zaria Lawrence might be their only true big (13 boards in the game I saw), but they also have some tall shooters, so their size in not in question. Their are four Juniors of this squad that will really dictate how this season goes. Omega Payton is a smooth, quick operator on the court. She can score at ease, dish the rock, and cause havoc on defense. Kassidy Jones is the most lethal scorer on this team who can score at all three levels, and she's got the height to create a lot of mismatches. A welcome addition of Courtni Demorest brings another tall shooter on this team who was on fire from behind the arc in her first preseason game. Last, but not least, is Kirsten Grindel who knows the game and is another sharp shooter. Did I mention that this team can shoot? I expect that Santa Fe Catholic will do a complete 180 from their 10-win season a year ago.   10. Clearwater (5A) - I did not get to see D'Mya Ferguson play this preseason, but they will be a strong team with the addition of some talented Freshman. That will help with the loss of two players, one to graduation and one transferred. Look for Freshmen Liv Fuller and Ace Sturdivant to step up for Clearwater and help D'Mya out.   Fundamentals/IQ are Key These two things is what really separated the good teams from the others. The ten teams above didn't miss easy buckets (free throws, layups, etc.) or not know how to use their non-dominant hand when dribbling. The elite players I watch could hit a jump shot, feel where the defender was on their back before making a post move, and crashed the boards on both ends. As far as IQ, the teams above also knew when there should be a bounce pass versus a chest pass. The top players could anticipate what was going to happen next and snag a steal or hit their teammate for an assist. I think this is something that Florida players, coaches, and parents need to stress when they are first learning the game.   Girls Can Ball (Sometimes Better Too) Speaking of fundamentals, this is one reason that I enjoy girls basketball at this level more than boys. Their egos are a little more tamed or in-check as opposed to their counterparts who sometimes just want to make the flashy play (I was guilty a time or two). Girls can ball too, let's not forget that.