Midseason Players to Watch: South Florida
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From seasoned scorers to Freshman studs, here is some South Florida talent to watch. Elizabeth Schnell Elizabeth Schnell 5'7" | CG Calvary Christian Academy | 2022 State FL 5’6 2022 Cavalry Christian Schnell’s scoring averages have taken significant jumps each…
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Continue ReadingFrom seasoned scorers to Freshman studs, here is some South Florida talent to watch.
Elizabeth Schnell Elizabeth Schnell 5'7" | CG Calvary Christian Academy | 2022 State FL 5’6 2022 Cavalry Christian
Schnell’s scoring averages have taken significant jumps each year, and the Junior isn’t slowing down. She has a great catch and shoot 3, and shoots it with confidence like the great ones do. Schnell moves well on offense, is an active defender, and will shoot the mid-range which is rare at this level. She plays with some very good talent in Samiyah Briggs Samiyah Briggs 5'7" | SG Calvary Christian | 2022 State FL and Jocelyn Gagnon Jocelyn Gagnon 5'10" | SF Somerset Prep North Lauderdale | 2024 State FL and continues to show her ability to coexist with other talented players. As much as she scores, she is unselfish with the ball which college coaches will like. She is crafty when attacking the rim with euro’s and different scoop finishes, and has the handle to create for herself and others. Schnell can finish through contact as well, offensively she is one of the more complete players I have covered.
Gianna Corbitt Gianna Corbitt 6'1" | SF Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL 6’1 2024 Blanche Ely
The move from Country Day to Ely was one that made sense with the talent she is surrounded by with the Tigers. A beast on the boards, Corbitt is a walking double-double. As an 8th grader, she earned Second Team All-County honors and contributed to a state title run team, averaging around 8 per night. She can initiate the break off the rebound which I always like to see from a player with the height she has. Corbitt can finish around the rim and has played with crafty guards who will find her when they penetrate. She and Janessa Kelley Janessa Kelley 5'9" | SG Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL especially, have a chemistry that is going to be scary for opponents for years to come.
Taylor Romano Taylor Romano 5'6" | CG American Heritage (Delray) | 2023 State FL 5’5 2023 American Heritage Delray
A stat sheet stuffer, as a Freshman she earned Second Team All-County playing alongside some high-level talent. Romano has a good quick release, she gets it to her shooting pocket and lets it fly with confidence. A scrappy defender as well, she does a good job of digging on opposing post players and reading passing lanes to force turnovers. She can finish with either hand around the rim and has the kind of stroke from 3 where the whole bench gets up before she even releases it. Although just a Sophomore, Romano is a veteran in terms of experience, playing varsity since seventh grade. I am most impressed by her ability to still be a factor playing with some of the state’s best players in Codio, Hession, and Ramsey. It takes a special player to play the role she does for the Stallions, and her development is something to watch as she continues to grow under Coach Studley.
Sofia Mendez Sofia Mendez 5'7" | CG Miami Country Day | 2024 State FL 5’8 2024 Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart
Mendez is a smart player who can shoot it with the best of them. Her ability to knock down a three off of a pin-down impressed me the most, and she can hit off the bounce. At 5’8 she attacks the glass really well, a legitimate nightly double-double threat. Offensively she can finish with her left hand around the rim which I always like seeing from young players. Mendez has some good experience playing for Sacred Heart as an 8th grader, and one thing no one can take away from her is nearly 15 a night so early in her career. She has the floater in the lane as well, I think fine-tuning her handle will be huge moving forward, Mendez is a hard worker on her own time, she will be a problem in Florida for years to come.
Madison Aguilera Madison Aguilera 5'3" | PG Gulliver Prep | 2023 State FL 5’2 2023 Gulliver Prep
A quick crafty young player who can score, Aguilera is a consistent double-figure scorer from the Point Guard spot. She can freeze defenders with hesitations and finish in the lane over the height. What I like most is that she has the 3 balls to go along with her ability to get into the paint, going under screens against her is ill-advised. Her handle is well above average and I enjoyed watching the way she navigates through defenses. I think even with her size she will be an impact at the next level, with the way she scores it, her ability to defend will allow her to play her game in college.
Etaria Gibbons Etaria Gibbons 6'0" | SF Northeast | 2022 State FL 6’2 2022 Northeast
A walking double-double, Gibbons is coming off of a First-Team All-County selection after 11 boards to go along with 16 points a game. College coaches will love the way she runs the floor. She is also capable of putting it on the floor from the wing and attacking the basket. The Junior does a great job of going up once she rebounds. My favorite thing about her is that she will drive going left, she is a threat at the high post. I think handle, and a consistent mid-range jumper will be huge for her development. She is apart of a Miami Suns program which will only help her as she grows.
Alexandra McAullife 6’0 2024 Cardinal Gibbons
At 6’0 she has a good handle for her size. McAullife is of a mold I like to call “capable bigs”. She can push the ball in transition, similar to a Nikola Jokic, where you’re somewhat surprised by the ball control and passing ability of a player with her height. She plays alongside Junior Nadine Ogenovic, who plays for a great program in Team Knight. I think competing with and against her every day in practice and having another year together will be good for McAullife. She also has great footwork and can knock down a jumper which allows the Chiefs to play her at the forward/high post spot at times. Earning Coach Kevin Gordon’s trust as a freshman says something in itself, McAullife is able to find minutes in a well-run program.
Bianca Francis 5’10 2021 Highlands Christian
Francis earned 1st Team Miami Herald as a junior, and the nod has to be related to her slashing, ability to stretch the floor and rebound at 5’10. She can post, using her body to create space and get her shot off, and will also score around the rim using the right angles on backboard finishes. I like the way she can push the ball in transition, I love seeing bigs who can initiate the break. Francis has a spot-up jumper as well, she can line one up from three or mid-range. I watched her put the ball on the floor and attack with her left hand which I liked as well, a solid college prospect, I’m interested to see where she ends up.