Hidden Gems in the 2022 Class on Florida's First Coast

There are some flat-out "ballers" in Northeast Florida in the class of 2022. Little has been written or broadcasted about them outside of the Jacksonville coverage area. When you look at the tape or see them in person, you realize that these players share the qualities and skill sets that college coaches look for. These players are the hidden gems on Northeast Florida’s First Coast. <p id="block-e83c10bc-d1e0-4e22-8533-b1e16e9b3efa" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="e83c10bc-d1e0-4e22-8533-b1e16e9b3efa" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">[player_tooltip player_id="248563" first="Jazmine" last="Jackson"] (Andrew Jackson) 2022 Several years ago at a basketball workshop in Jacksonville, FL, that included 2021 recruits [player_tooltip player_id="91487" first="Bella" last="Weary"] (University of South Florida) and [player_tooltip player_id="219957" first="Taylor" last="Gardner"] (Flagler College), [player_tooltip player_id="248563" first="Jazmine" last="Jackson"] was on the other end of the court participating in drills and garnering equal attention. She didn’t have a basketball in her hand at the time, but her 5’9’’ frame, her fluid movements, her confidence, and her footwork captured the attention of every spectator in the building. Jackson shoots the ball well from the outside, but it is her speed in the open court and her finishes at the goal where she excels and wows you. She uses her speed to score both contested and uncontested layups. At 5’9" Jackson does not shy away from contact and you can count on a few "and-ones’ in any game she is playing in. Jackson is a lock-down defensive player. Most of her steals are as a result of the on-ball pressure she applies against opposing point guards. She does a great job of disrupting the opposition’s offense. Jackson performed well in travel ball the first half of the AAU season, including a solid tournament at the Apache Memorial Showcase in Charlotte NC. where she routinely scored in double figures for ECU North Florida 2022. For the college live period, Jackson will suit up for ECU Family 2022 and is primed for a special showing in Louisville, KY in The Run For the Roses (July 5-8) and the Battle in the Boro (July 9 - 12). Jackson will showcase her talents in Orlando FL at the Orlando Splash (July 20 -22) and the National Championships (July 23 - 25). <p id="block-a433372c-5cca-4e67-b3e0-fc598eb1a0f4" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="a433372c-5cca-4e67-b3e0-fc598eb1a0f4" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Sam Freeland (Mandarin) <p id="block-efae16c5-dd6f-4ccc-b872-11df2496bfe9" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="efae16c5-dd6f-4ccc-b872-11df2496bfe9" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Samantha (Sam) Freeland at Mandarin High school is a player to watch out for this High School season. Freeland has everything a coach looks for in a player. She has the size, the handles, and the shooting ability. At 5’9 she has the size and frame to mix it up with the bigs on the inside. She often creates mismatches when defended by the opposing teams’ 4s and 5s. <p id="block-d73c7b7a-1e7e-4e9f-9668-569c9aa8619b" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="d73c7b7a-1e7e-4e9f-9668-569c9aa8619b" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">One of Freeland’s strongest assets is her ability to make the big shot at pressure moments in games. In last year’s District semifinals against powerhouse Oakleaf, Freeland hit the game-tying three-pointers in the closing minute to put Oakleaf’s historic season in jeopardy. If not for a buzzer-beater by Oakleaf’s James, Freeland’s big shot would have been the talk of the First Coast. <p id="block-7129f49c-591a-4960-ad7c-338558d530b6" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="7129f49c-591a-4960-ad7c-338558d530b6" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Freeland is a versatile player and what makes her unique is her ability to handle the ball. She is most comfortable on the wing. With the insurgent of new players in 2020, Freeland was able to play mainly on the wing where she averaged nearly 10 points per game and recorded a team-leading 24 threes for Mandarin. With the exit of the team’s leading scorer Jayla Williams, Freeland’s scoring average will likely increase this upcoming season. <p id="block-f52cce00-22e3-4b92-bef4-025a52043d7c" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="f52cce00-22e3-4b92-bef4-025a52043d7c" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Other hidden gems in the 2022 class: <p id="block-def3d679-cbdf-45c2-8546-ec82a28e35be" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Paragraph block" data-block="def3d679-cbdf-45c2-8546-ec82a28e35be" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="false">Ellie Jackson (Mandarin). Jackson is one of the most athletic prospects in the 2022 class. She has excelled in Varsity Volleyball, Flag Football, and Basketball since she walked on campus as a Freshman. On the basketball court, Jackson does a little of everything. In 19 games she put up some impressive stats: 144 rebounds, 64 assists, and 36 steals. She often defends the opponent’s best player and she can handle the ball well enough to initiate fast breaks and deter other teams from pressing. Jackson will likely be on someone’s volleyball court next year, but she is more than capable of being a 2 sport star on a college campus. <p id="block-eabcfd55-e85c-4297-af2e-69f05d1cde4e" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" tabindex="0" role="group" aria-multiline="true" aria-label="Empty block; start writing or type forward slash to choose a block" data-block="eabcfd55-e85c-4297-af2e-69f05d1cde4e" data-type="core/paragraph" data-title="Paragraph" data-empty="true">[player_tooltip player_id="248562" first="Peyton" last="Petrick"] (St. Augustine). Petrick was a key component in St Augustine’s run to last year’s final 4 appearances in the State Playoffs. Petrick is a long and athletic player who can defend the 3, 4, and 5 positions. Petrick has a great motor and is always on the move on the court. Offensively, she has a good mid-range game and has the ability to create opportunities for her teammates. Petrick is a great team player and a very coachable player.