Top Ten Teams: Broward County

With 4 of these 10 being in my Top Ten for all of South Florida, here, I focus on Broward County, an area with an illustrious girls basketball history. #1 Ely This group is on a tear, and they may have the best defensive pressure in the area. The Tigers play fast, and when they get out on the break, their athleticism is fun to watch. “The Duo” Miami commit [player_tooltip player_id="91491" first="Ja’Leah" last="Williams"], and [player_tooltip player_id="219986" first="Mikhia" last="Lumsdon"] will look to lead this group back to Lakeland on their way out. With the Junior trio of Kone, Simmons, and Blake, the defending 6A champs have one of the best cores in the state. Palm Beach State commits Janiyah Moore, who is the former BCAA All-Star game MVP, and Jaylen Ponder are another two players for the tigers that just speak to their depth. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="217668" first="Gianna" last="Corbitt"] already has a productive season of varsity under her belt. Their depth is what makes them a threat to Heritage Plantation. To me, it’s them and the Patriots, and then everyone else in the area. [player_tooltip player_id="219925" first="Janessa" last="Kelley"] might be the best Freshman in the county. At 5’9, Kelley can score off the bounce, shoots it, and plays the contagious defense that the whole program seems to grasp. The Tigers begin the new year as champions of the Junior Orange Bowl Classic, where Blake and Simmons who came with Coach McNabb from Somerset Prep, earned All-Tournament, while Williams was named tournament MVP. #2 American Heritage (Plantation) They have leadership from different positions, in crunch time they’re most dangerous combo is [player_tooltip player_id="91549" first="Taliyah" last="Wyche"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91557" first="Sydney" last="Shaw"]. [player_tooltip player_id="91566" first="Joey" last="Delancy"] is a great scorer, who is learning how to play with bigs who command attention, a skill that will only help her at the next level. In what I would call their biggest game this year, a matchup against #1 Ely she showed her ability to perform on the biggest stage. She defended well, controlled the tempo, scored the ball off the jumper, and finishing through contact. Ely is a team that thrives on speeding up the opposing team, and Delancy wasn’t phased by the pressure. [player_tooltip player_id="91557" first="Sydney" last="Shaw"], who is coming off of a She Got Game Classic MVP, poured in 23 points against IMG Academy in a win for Heritage. Coach Farias preaches defense, and it shows in the way this team guards. They also had an impressive win over American Heritage Delray, which I would call a statement when it comes to South Florida. Shaw had 23 to go along with 7 assists, and [player_tooltip player_id="91549" first="Taliyah" last="Wyche"] finished with 24 and 14 rebounds. That performance from Wyche comes against [player_tooltip player_id="151282" first="Alancia" last="Ramsey"] who is one of the best bigs/forwards in the state. Heritage was up by eleven on Ely with 5:20 to go in 4th when their game was called, the rematch of these two teams has a lot of rankings contention in my eyes. #3 Westminster Academy Led by Southern Miss commit and Fab Five selection [player_tooltip player_id="91499" first="Emma" last="Wallhoff"], her ability to stretch the floor jumps out on film. The Westminster star will shoot it off the catch or bounce and puts a great arch on the ball. A pure scorer, what I like is that Wallhoff just gets to it, she will tee one up in the face of a defender or cut hard for finishes, she doesn’t play around with the ball much at all. [player_tooltip player_id="151173" first="Claire" last="Erickson"] is a Miami Herald First Team selection has a great catch and shoot jumper, and can get in the lane for floaters. With the way she understands facilitating, Erickson has big upside for having two more seasons to develop under Coach Wallhoff. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="243895" first="Lena" last="Girardi"] is turning heads this season. I have heard her being referred to as one of the top freshmen not only in the state but nationally. She can really score it, and she’s a competitor who plays with a fire that is fun to watch. Girardi recently earned all-tournament team just before Christmas, with Wallhoff on her way out, the Lady Lions are in great shape with Erickson and Girardi as the future of the program. #4 St. Thomas Aquinas You would think their late start would put them a little behind the eight-ball against #1 Ely, that was not the case for STA. Headlined by 2021 Arkansas commit [player_tooltip player_id="91500" first="Samara" last="Spencer"], with Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="154841" first="Jada" last="Green"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91572" first="Breanna" last="Gustave"], they have a great core. Coach Berens has done an exceptional job during his time, other than a 23 win season, and being the 8A runner-up, from what I have noticed, when players leave his program they’re well prepared for the next level. Having his team prepared to compete the way they did against an Ely team who’s 7, 8 games in speaks to the job Coach Berens does in practice. STA is a disciplined team, they will also feature 2023 Country day transfer [player_tooltip player_id="91641" first="Karina" last="Gordon"], coming off a great freshman campaign. Gordon can really shoot it and understands how to defend. STA has become a powerhouse under Coach Berens, opening their season they played Ely close until a 4th quarter surge by the Tigers. I don’t think there’s a better first test in the area, something that will bode well for them in moving forward. #5 Nova Led by 5’8 Senior [player_tooltip player_id="91523" first="Sarei" last="McGill"], she has an outstanding slashing ability. McGill played her AAU ball with the Miami Suns, where college-level talent is produced year after year. She has above-average athleticism and can guard multiple positions. Her motor has been what keeps her on the floor throughout her career, my favorite thing about her is how she can grab the rebound on defense, and push it the full length to finish. She is a smart player who understands the concept of development. McGill is one of the top unsigned seniors in the area and with an older sister, Samaria, who plays for St. Thomas University, I have no doubt McGill is next in line. Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id="243928" first="Madisyn" last="McLeod"], is looking to step into that second scoring option role for Titans, she has a good handle and has shown she is capable. Finishing in double figures against #7 Western, McLeod can shoot it off the catch or bounce. Nova is a team that plays unselfishly and gets good looks, it speaks to the job Coach Hively does and shows why he’s been so successful. I also like the energy [player_tooltip player_id="244152" first="Jahnay" last="Mars"] brings, she can catch it high post and knock down a mid-range, and plays strong inside, using her body to seal off defenders and finish through contact. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="244000" first="Destinee" last="Burks"] is solid for the Titans, a track athlete as well, she uses her speed, and can finish in the lane. Burks will make things hard for opposing guards picking up full court. #6 Cardinal Gibbons Led by Sophomore Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="243930" first="Ashleigh" last="Battle"], she is what makes them go. The trip to Lakeland last year had a lot to do with the way she facilitates and controls the tempo, and from what I have seen she is being a bit more aggressive scoring the ball this year. Without Monmouth commit [player_tooltip player_id="146975" first="Emily" last="Jimenez"], the Chiefs have embraced the “next woman up” attitude. At 3-1 with their only loss coming at the buzzer to #5 Nova, Gibbons is in good shape going into the new year. Flagler commit [player_tooltip player_id="215662" first="Sharale" last="McCormick"] is their best when attacking, she looks to lead this group back to Lakeland on her way out the door. McCormick runs the floor well and can finish a fast break after filling the lane. Coming off averaging nearly 13 a game, and a 2nd team all-county selection, [player_tooltip player_id="243973" first="Chloe" last="Cellar"] is big for the Chiefs as well. Cellar can create for herself and is capable of playing some Point Guard. Taylor Williams is emerging within the program and it speaks to Coach Gordon’s ability to develop young talent. Williams, along with Alessandra Conrad were contributors to a district and regional championship team a season ago. #7 Western Led by 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="153108" first="Taja" last="Stephens"], coming off averaging 13 and 4 rebounds as a Sophomore, Stevens has already logged a double-double and it wasn’t a surprise for those who know how talented she is. Guard Tamara Elliot is a good young player for Western, she has handle, defends, and can finish around the rim. Elliot has made a bit of an impact as a Freshman, and four years under Coach Taylor, who runs her team like a college program will be very good for her development. [player_tooltip player_id="91529" first="Alana" last="Sharpe"] is a forward who commands attention in the paint. Sharpe gives the Wildcats a post presence, which is a luxury every team doesn’t have. Jordan Provato is another solid player for Western, who can stretch the floor, #12 is a threat from deep. I like the energy [player_tooltip player_id="244208" first="Sydney" last="Hoover"] plays with, at 5’6 she shoots the mid-range which is always refreshing to see and is crafty on her drives. With one of their two losses coming to #5 Nova, the Wildcats coaching and never say die attitude makes them top ten. #8 South Broward Their young talent and idea of how much potential is in the program is what makes them dangerous. Headlined by Freshman [player_tooltip player_id="217662" first="Jamesha" last="Card"], the Bulldogs are a solid group. Card earned All-Tournament Team at a holiday tournament featuring a handful of the teams in the top 10, it speaks to the kind of talent she is to make All-Tournament amongst the likes of Fab Five and Division 1 talent. A last-second buzzer-beater loss to Arch Bishop McCarthy was a tough loss, and although it’s early, this is a young core who is learning together as they grow, if they stay together it looks promising. Coach Ferguson likes to run and stresses defense as the main thing. The Bulldogs play with this “have no fear” demeanor and other coaches have noticed. 2024’s Ahlani Packer, Fabiana Poindujour, and Jayla Brown all contributors to that youth movement, the experience is sometimes the best teacher, you have to imagine this group will be a problem for South Florida in years to come. #9 Coral Springs Their early success speaks to Coach Hankerson’s ability to get this team to buy in and come with confidence out of the gate. Led by Senior Forward Norray Richards, their offense is at its best when she’s getting post touches. When she makes her mind up she is a determined scorer, she attacks the basketball hard going right and can finish through contact. Richards is a paint presence, who runs the floor well. Leilani Thuraisingham is a capable scorer as well, she averaged 8.4 as a Junior and has had some solid outings to begin the season with two games in double figures. Angenai Martin has good size at the guard spot and defends with good energy. Coming off a District semifinals trip a season ago, losing [player_tooltip player_id="154842" first="Mia" last="Avin"], and [player_tooltip player_id="91515" first="Isabella" last="Reynolds"] the Colts are off to a good start. #10 Dillard With two of their 3 losses coming to Miami Christian, who is top 5 in South Florida public, and American Heritage Delray who is also in my top 10, Dillard is a group whose record does not reflect their true identity. Coming off of a Big 8, and State Championship run, which is nothing new for this program, I cannot count them out. Coach Pinder is a legend, not only in Florida but if you talk the whole scale of Girls High School basketball, a Gatorade Excellence Award has to put her amongst the country’s heavyweights. If there were any leader who a few losses don’t phase, I would imagine it’s Coach Pinder. Their loss to American Heritage who has 3 of the top players in the state, was a 2 point loss. Led by St. Leo Commit Chyna Mattair, she is a confident player who is a proven winner, I project she will make the necessary adjustments. Kintaeja Ling who is a former She Got Game Classic MVP is another threat for Dillard. Ling can space the floor with her shooting ability, and was an All-County Honorable mention as a Sophomore. Ling had an impact on the State Championship team, she and Mattair finished in double figures in the big game. Junior Markhyia Davis is a solid lefty player capable of scoring and facilitating for the Panthers, she comes from the Team Knight system which is a great program in the area. Davis as a Freshman was apart of the state title team, with the experience of their core players, I project Dillard will be fine.