Players To Watch In 2021: South Florida

Michael Costeines

January 4, 2021 @ 12:13 PM

<ul> <li>2020 has come and gone.</li> </ul> Here’s to the hope that this year is better and brighter for all of us. The basketball season has been in full gear and prospects continue to emerge. I would like to highlight some players as we start January. Let’s get into it... [player_tooltip player_id="219936" first="Mariah" last="McKenzie"]/Shade Richardson - Northeast Over in Oakland Park, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="219936" first="Mariah" last="McKenzie"] and 2021 Shade Richardson have done a nice job with the absence of 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="154840" first="Etaria" last="Gibbons"] for the Hurricanes. The guard pair have combined to average 21.3 points and 20 rebounds per game. I am always a big fan of backcourt players that go after and rebound the basketball. A lot of that just comes down to effort and determination. Moreover, McKenzie leads the team with four assists per contest. Against McArthur, the sophomore scored 21 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. [player_tooltip player_id="145104" first="Carla" last="Jean"] - North Miami 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="145104" first="Carla" last="Jean"] has been steady for the Pioneers. The 5-foot-6 combo guard has averaged 10.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and three steals per contest. Against Mater Academy Charter, Jean scored 26 points and grabbed ten rebounds. She has also been consistent at the free-throw line, shooting 81 percent. On the defensive end, Jean has tallied 28 steals, including eleven in one game against Mourning. [player_tooltip player_id="91546" first="Gabriela" last="Bendeck"] - Miami Christian 2021 senior captain [player_tooltip player_id="91546" first="Gabriela" last="Bendeck"] has been reliable for the Victors. The 5-foot-4 guard is averaging 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, four assists and 2.6 steals per game. Moreover, she has scored in double-figures in all eight games recorded per MaxPreps. Against Westminster Academy, Bendeck scored 16 points on 8-of-11 from the field in a 2-point victory. Rhema Collins - Schoolhouse Prep 2023 Rhema Collins has her best basketball ahead of her. The guard/forward has solid size at 6-foot-1 to make an impact on both ends for the Wolfpack. Collins has averaged 16.8 points and six rebounds through five recorded contests. She is also shooting a steady 80 percent from the free-throw line. Against Cardinal Newman, Collins scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Another player to watch on the Wolfpack is Natalie Larranaga. The 5-foot-8 guard is averaging 15.8 points per game. Larranaga appears to be a good outside shooter as well, connecting on 7-of-11 from behind the line. Markeli Jones-Tynes - Calvary Christian (FTL) Only an eight grader, Markeli Jones-Tynes has been playing significant varsity minutes for the Eagles. The 5-foot-9 point guard has averaged 8.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Her production and development should only improve over the course of this season. It also helps she has a pair of veterans in 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="146988" first="Samiyah" last="Briggs"] and [player_tooltip player_id="220010" first="Elizabeth" last="Schnell"] to lean on. Bottom line, she has the Eagles sitting at 7-4 with the ball in her hands often. [player_tooltip player_id="219938" first="Taylor" last="Blackshear"] - Benjamin Blackshear has been a monster for the Buccaneers. The do everything shooting guard has averaged 16.5 points, 14.2 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game. Against Everglades, Blackshear scored 30 points and grabbed 15 rebounds on 13-of-23 from the field. On the glass, she has collected nearly equal rebounds on both ends of the floor. Blackshear is another player that will bring it in any stat category. [player_tooltip player_id="221662" first="Alessandra" last="Bonilla"] - Mater Academy Charter The Lions look like they have a future star in [player_tooltip player_id="221662" first="Alessandra" last="Bonilla"]. Only an eight grader, Bonilla is a versatile playmaker at multiple positions. Through four recorded contests, she has averaged 15.3 points per game. Against St. Brendan, Bonilla scored 18 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. She has been an efficient shooter from all points on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="91509" first="Jaiyah" last="Harris-Smith"] - Norland Over in Miami Gardens, Harris-Smith has her Vikings team sitting at 5-1. The senior guard has averaged 13 points, 6.7 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game thus far. Other than rebounds, all of those numbers lead Norland. Against Miami Christian, Harris-Smith scored 22 points on 8-of-16 from the field. Her game against the Victors reflects her efficient shooting through six games. 6-foot-2 Ka’zahria Johnson is also a player to watch. She is just a freshman and is averaging over ten rebounds per game. For any South Florida Girls Prep Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram of follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.