2023 Players that have impressed
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From celebrated stars to underrated studs, some Sophomore talent with everything to prove. Emily Montes Emily Montes 5'9" | CG Palmer Trinity | 2023 State FL 5’10 Palmer Trinity With her quick high arching release, the Palmer Trinity Sophomore is…
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Continue ReadingFrom celebrated stars to underrated studs, some Sophomore talent with everything to prove.
Emily Montes Emily Montes 5'9" | CG Palmer Trinity | 2023 State FL 5’10 Palmer Trinity
With her quick high arching release, the Palmer Trinity Sophomore is a real threat from deep. Montes will let it fly off the catch, moving without the ball, and even can lull defenders to sleep and onto their heels with her handle before she pulls. I watched her make a between the legs hesitation move into a 3 that made me a fan, at 5’10 she has exceptional size for the way she can create for herself. A complete scorer, her handle is my favorite aspect of her game, she has different finishes with either hand in the lane and is always in attack mode. Her creativity is amongst the best I have seen at this level. The way she leans into her shot reminds of a Baylor University Guard named MaCio Teague. Teague is one of College Basketballs’ top snipers. Montes will get to the boards as well, I always like seeing players who can rebound defensively and initiate the break. Also, a more than willing defender, Montes has highlights on both ends, I see her as a player who can guard multiple positions which college coaches will like. She will block shots, force turnovers, and plays with a fire on defense that’s contagious. Whats a bad shot for most, is a good look for her. Montes is a star.
Mariah Mckenzie Mariah Mckenzie 5'8" | CG American Heritage Plantation | 2023 State FL 5’8 Northeast
Quick, with a good hunger for the ball defensively she is a proactive defender looking to make things happen. The Sophomore averaged 8 a game as a freshman for Cardinal Gibbons before making the move to Northeast. She has a good handle in the open court, I like her initiating the break because her head is up and she’s looking to advance the ball to a teammate running the floor. Mckenzie has logged a 10 assist game this year in a win at South Plantation. If she gets her feet set she is a capable shooter from distance. Mckenzie is a good young player who coaches will like because she does a little bit of everything.
Sofia Travieso Sofia Travieso 5'10" | SG Carrollton School | 2023 State FL 5’8 Carrollton
A high IQ all around hooper with good size for how well she scores it, Travieso opened the season with 27 and 13 boards in a win. With the way she rebounds she can play multiple positions, the sophomore is a nightly double-double threat for the Cyclones. She has the strength to finish through contact, playing with the talent that a program like Team Knight produces makes players tough, and I see that toughness in Travieso. Her catch and shoot 3, is a confident stroke and rightfully so, she will knock one down with ease. She also has the deep ball off the bounce if she gets within a comfortable range and defenders don’t step up, she will make them pay. If the two choose to stay together, she and Sofia Mendez will be a great scoring duo for years to come.
Karina Gordon Karina Gordon 5'8" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL 5’9 St. Thomas
Playing for powerhouse Miami Country day as a middle schooler says something in itself, she is no newcomer to elite level high school basketball, and Gordon is having herself a year for the Raiders who currently sit at 10-2. Their only two losses come to teams who in my opinion are the best in South Florida, Ely and Heritage Plantation. The Sophomore guard finishing in double figures is no surprise to Coach Berens, as she has logged multiple 20+ point performances under his tutelage. Gordon and Arkansas commit, Samara Spencer Samara Spencer 5'8" | CG St Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL have become a dangerous duo for St. Thomas. Her spot-up 3 is great, she does a great job of squaring her shoulders and gets good elevation on the ball. Gordon runs the floor well and is a good finisher in transition. A very good help defender, she forces turnovers and uses her length well. She contributed to a very good STA team as a freshman, to think she could continue growing height-wise is scary to think.
Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL 6’1 American Heritage
Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL is a dominant force, simple as that. A walking double-double in every sense of the word, 20 and 10+ rebounds is a night at the office for the Heritage product. A top 25 rebounder in the state, if there’s one thing Ramsey will do on a nightly basis its control the glass. She will block shots as well and has a good understanding of defending without fouling. Offensively what I like most is that she doesn’t need plays called for her, Ramsey is great at going up strong after clearing space with strong boxouts. As cliche as it is, she understands the backboard is her friend. With Codio and Hession by her side, Ramsey is the anchor to one of the state’s best cores.
Khyala Ngodu Khyala Ngodu 6'2" | PF Dillard | 2023 State FL 6’2 Dillard
At 6’2 her presence alone is enough to alter shots and make opposing players think twice about attacking. She times her jumps well with good patience to deflect shots and passes, and has the anticipation in the open court to force turnovers in the passing lanes. 1st Team All-Sentinel, and Miami Herald as a Freshman, she put up 12 per game for the defending state champs. Ngodu can work the glass and finish through contact for trips to the free-throw line. She gives a target when she posts and has the hands to catch quick passes which you would like from your bigs. Ngodu does a good job of going straight up when she catches it, she doesn’t waste time powering up and attacking the rim. She seems to have an understanding of positioning, I think her left-hand finishes around the rim, and free throws will be huge for her development. Talented young players and powerhouse programs are always a good match.
Ashleigh Battle Ashleigh Battle 5'2" | PG Blanche Ely | 2023 State FL 5’0 Cardinal Gibbons
With the losses of some key pieces to her team, the Sophomore guard has had to shoulder a bigger load for the Chiefs offensively, and she has answered the call. Averaging double figures per game, Battle has embraced the role. Her quickness from end to end is as good as any guard, and her handle is on a string. Battle will break down defenders with hesitations and pull up for a mid-range, and in transition, she’s a blur when attacking with a plethora of crafty moves for finishes. Also a capable 3 point shooter, Battle can score at every level. She shook up the scene as a Freshman and has led her group to currently sitting at 11-5. The way she controls the tempo is a floor general who’s able to create for herself, and the immediate impact she had as a Freshman on a team that took a trip to Lakeland, to me, makes Battle top 25 in her class.