Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 1

<strong>Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 1 </strong> By Michael Wholey 12/4/20 12:00 PM EST <strong><em>We are into week 3 of the High School Girls Basketball season in Florida.  There is a lot going on with teams playing well, players stocks rising, recruiting updates, statistical records, coaching milestones, etc.  We will continue to update you of all that is going on in Florida.  Here is the Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 1.</em></strong> <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Transfer News </strong></span> The transfer updates continue to come as we learn about the new homes for various players.  2022 <strong>Paris Gaines</strong> (formerly [player_tooltip player_id="91560" first="Paris" last="Pickett"]) is no longer at West Orange HS.  She is now at Jones in Orlando.  The 6’4 Post is one of the top prospects in the state but has been off the radar the last 12 months.  She is currently averaging a double double (10.8 PPG and 10.2 RPG) for Jones through 6 games. 2021 <strong>Deborrah Redmon</strong> and 2022 <strong>Casey Lewis </strong>have both transferred from Benjamin School in West Palm Beach to Palm Beach Lakes.  Both guards averaged 10+ PPG last season and will assume a similar role with Lakes. <img class="size-medium wp-image-232854 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/0C8492E0-9249-46C2-9DC9-75E702C6FA56-169x300.jpeg" alt="" width="169" height="300" />The high profile transfers continue as 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91651" first="Taliah" last="Scott"]</strong> is no longer at Bolles and is now at Oakleaf.  The super athletic big-time scorer is averaging 19 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 1.5 SPG in 2 games including opening up the season vs her old team Bolles HS and went for 22 points on 6/16 from the field in the 48-34 win for Oakleaf.   Oakleaf is off to a 4-0 start and much of that is due to Scott’s play. <strong>Nease </strong>welcomes 2022 Guard<strong> Sydney Gomes</strong> and 2021 <strong>Desiree Robinson</strong>.  Both are major impact players for Nease as Gomes is averaging 21.7 PPG and 8.5 RPG through 6 games while Robinson is averaging 9.5 PPG and 7.0 RPG.<strong>  </strong>Nease is 5-1 with their lone loss to Lakeway Christian out of TN in the Insider Exposure Thanksgiving event and Robinson and Gomes are accounting for over 50% of the teams scoring.<strong>  </strong> &nbsp; One of the state’s top unsigned Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91542" first="Nigeria" last="Harkless"]</strong> has transferred from University Christian to Ribault.  The 6’2 2021 Forward will be a major impact player for Ribault and has helped them to a 4-1 start. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Recruiting Updates</strong></span> 2022 phenom guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91558" first="Kailyn" last="Gilbert"]</strong> released a Top 8 on Twitter last week.  Gilbert is one of the counties most sought after players nationally and has narrowed her recruiting to Georgia, Louisville, Virginia, Arizona, Ole Miss, Miami, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt. <img class="size-medium wp-image-232842 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/Gilbert-Top-8-300x271.png" alt="" width="300" height="271" /> St.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Joseph Academy Senior </span><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91540" first="Jessamy" last="Gaetanos"]</strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">has chose to continue her academic and athletic career next season at NCAA Division III Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA.</span> <img class="size-medium wp-image-232843 aligncenter" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/126812556_10223087894604033_5456860612400416788_o.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <img class=" wp-image-232844 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/126311998_3178278872276627_1545457779869262275_o-223x300.jpg" alt="" width="152" height="205" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91537" first="Trinity" last="Hardy"]</strong> was one of the state’s top unsigned Seniors.  The Winter Haven guard has chose to attend the United State Military Academy where she will play division one basketball for Army in the Patriot League. Joining Hardy in West Point a year later will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91583" first="Milahnie" last="Perry"]</strong> from Carrollwood Day School.  The 2022 guard was one of this spring/summers biggest stock risers putting on display her improved skill and scoring ability matched with her great combination of length and athleticism. <strong> </strong> <strong>2021 </strong><strong>Azaria Varnado</strong> (Chiles HS) will continue her playing career in Parsons, KS at two year community college Labette CC. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Player Statistical Milestones</strong></span> 2021 Guard from Lake Howell High School <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="146966" first="Keegan" last="Brace"]</strong> recently joined the 1,000 point club.  The Senior guard is one of the state’s top unsigned prospects and is off to a hot start averaging an impressive 26.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, and 4.3 SPG through 5 games helping Lake Howell to a 4-1 start. <img class="size-medium wp-image-232845 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/128965628_10223134727814834_7924214600125263916_o-300x207.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="207" /> <img class=" wp-image-232846 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/128805131_10223149169975879_1676245483710635630_o-219x300.jpg" alt="" width="149" height="205" />5’8 Senior Guard <strong>Alyssa Doyle</strong> (Oviedo High School) also joined the 1K Club.  She scored her 1,000^th career point last week and is Oviedo’s leading scorer through 4 games at 17.7 PPG. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Coaching Statistical Milestones</strong></span> Colonial Head Coach <strong>Cindy Richardson</strong> notched her 300^th career win last week in a 55-16 win over Gainesville November 28.  Richardson has been a staple on the sidelines and has helped build Colonial into one of the top programs in the Orlando area. <img class="size-medium wp-image-232847 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/127839945_10223117414982024_10966201374443495_o-300x209.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="209" />Northeast Head Coach <strong>William White </strong>won his 400^th career game this week.  White has been on the sidelines in the St. Pete area for 20+ years.  This is his 10^th season at Northeast where he currently holds a 158-84 record and is well known for building his team through development and team ball.  He is widely considered one of the state’s top coaches and does a great job with his Northeast squad making them competitive every year emphasizing a team orientated offense that spreads the floor and shares the basketball. <img class="size-medium wp-image-232848 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/12/White400-300x176.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="176" /> &nbsp; We will look to continue to cover news all across the state.  Our audience supplies us with some of our best information.  Keep us updated on on Florida news be emailing me at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM'ing me through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.