2023 Rankings: Players To Watch Outside The Top 100

<blockquote>The 2023 class here in South Florida is highlighted by No.4 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156588" first="Khyala" last="Ngodu"]</strong>. The 6-foot-2 power forward is as dominant as any player in the region. Six additional players in the area round out the Top 25.</blockquote> With that group set in stone, I would like to highlight some players underneath the top tier. Please feel free to reach out to me on my socials regarding any player news or information. Let’s get into it... <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247128" first="Celena" last="Cooley"]</strong> - <em>Santaluces (PH. 181)</em> Cooley joins a large group of young players for Santaluces. The Chiefs have two seniors on its current roster. The 5-foot-5 combo guard is averaging 3.9 points, three assists and three rebounds in seven recorded games. Against <strong>Suncoast</strong>, Cooley scored 11 points and dished out eight assists. She has another eight helper game against <strong>Park Vista</strong>. Cooley should develop with the young core of players around her.  The Chiefs might have the best depth of sophomores in the region with Cooley, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247129" first="Kendra" last="Bentley"],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247134" first="Janessa" last="Williams"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247130" first="Iasiah" last="Suprius"]</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243936" first="Katie" last="McCabe"]</strong> - <em>Cardinal Newman (PH. 165)</em> The Crusaders have a pair of talented 2023’s in [player_tooltip player_id="145087" first="Checorey" last="Bouie"] and [player_tooltip player_id="243927" first="Angelina" last="Kohlwaies"]. The pair have combined to average 24 points and 17 rebounds for Cardinal Newman. Another talented sophomore is [player_tooltip player_id="243936" first="Katie" last="McCabe"]. The 5-foot-4 point guard is averaging 6.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Moreover, she has seven games with two or more steals. Against <strong>St. Andrew’s</strong>, McCabe scored 11 points and knocked down three 3-pointers. In a recent game against Somerset, she scored 17 points and dished out three assists. I look for her range and shooting to continue to improve during her high school career. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247185" first="Heaven" last="Goodman"]</strong> - <em>Hollywood Hills (PH. 140)</em> The Spartans have a reliable frontcourt player in [player_tooltip player_id="247185" first="Heaven" last="Goodman"]. The 6-foot power forward/center has adequate size for the position. Hollywood Hills has five other players around her that are freshman or sophomores.  The Spartans should have a bright future with Goodman in the fold. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247186" first="Amaji" last="Smith"]</strong> is another player to watch out for on the Spartans. The 5-foot-10 small forward runs with the Florida Lady Huskies on the circuit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247132" first="Gabriella" last="Toledo"]</strong> - <em>Wellington (PH. 117)</em> Toledo is a talented player for the Wolverines. The 5-foot-6 combo guard can put the ball on the floor and shoot the 3-pointer. Toledo scored ten points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers against <strong>King’s Academy</strong>. Toledo is already a captain so her leadership skills are apparent. She is a member of the Wellington Wolves on the circuit. Toledo is also a solid defender and a good student (4.0 GPA) in the classroom. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247161" first="Cienna" last="Thigpen"]</strong> - <em>Palm Beach Lakes (PH. 133)</em> The Rams arguably have one of the best players in Palm Beach County in <strong>Zaida</strong> <strong>Gonzalez. </strong>The FIU signee is averaging over 22 points per game for the Lady Rams. Another player to watch out for is [player_tooltip player_id="247161" first="Cienna" last="Thigpen"]. The 5-foot-2 point guard is averaging 3.4 points per game in limited time. Thigpen did score eight points on 4-of-6 from the field against Santaluces. It also doesn’t hurt she has Gonzalez to learn from in practice. I would take advantage of that opportunity if I was anyone on the Palm Beach Lakes roster. <strong><em>For any South Florida Girls Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines on Instagram @Steins_23 or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</em></strong> &nbsp;