Big news from Media Day on the First Coast

Hunter Keith October 21, 2021 @ 12:33 PM

was “in the Building” at High School Media Day and created quite a buzz when it was confirmed that she had transferred from Oakleaf to St Johns Country Day for the upcoming basketball season. Scott is not only the top-ranked player on the First Coast, but she is one of the highest-ranked players in the nation in the 2023 class. Scott has already committed to play for the University of Arkansas. There are not many players who can cause a change in the entire landscape of High School Basketball in Clay county, Class 2A, and Class 7A, but ’s departure from Oakleaf did just that. Changing of the Landscape in Class 2A For the past 16 years, University Christian has been crowned District Champion and was the unanimous selection to repeat for the 17th straight season. St Johns Country Day is now in the same District as University Christian. With Scott’s arrival at St John’s Country Day, SJCD is a legitimate threat to challenge UC for the District title. Scott will now team up with 2024 who averaged 17.1 points per outing as a Freshman. This duo will be special, but the strength of the other players will determine the outcome for SJCD.

University Christian also had a major roster upgrade at the beginning of the school year when Yakiya Milton, another top 2023 prospect, transferred to University Christian to play along with Tai Baldwin, Lariel Green, , etc. The addition of Milton not only positioned UC for a repeat as District Champions but also positioned UC to be a player in the state playoffs. Scott’s transfer changes the landscape in Clay County With Scott’s exit from Oakleaf to St John Country day, which team takes top-billing in Clay county? While SJCD will get a lot of attention and be a major contender, Oakleaf and Orange Park get the nod as the top two teams in Clay County, with St John Country Day and Ridgeview close behind. Oakleaf High School

Last season, Oakleaf rode the “big three” ( , Kayla Turner) all the way to the Final 4 in Class 7A in Lakeland FL. Each of these players was special last year and at times spectacular in their quest for a state championship. Scott averaged 23.4 points per contest last year, Turner averaged 16.8, and James averaged 15.7 points per game. Turner and James will be asked to do a little more to fill the enormous void left by Scott’s departure. Judging from Turner and James’s demeanor and press conferences at Media Day, they are up for the challenge. Turner did receive the District 7A player of the year as a Freshman, and James has raised her game to one of the top prospects in the State in the 2023 class. Oakleaf did receive a roster boost with the addition of Kamiya Jones (2023 Guard) who transferred from Middleburg. Jones is a solid player who can defend and shoot the long ball. Orange Park High School

One thing that became apparent at Media Day is that Orange Park High School can make a case as the top team in Clay County. Three of the top players in Clay county are on Orange Park’s roster: , , and . Nia Brown Nia Brown 5'11" | PF Orange Park | 2022 State FL (2022, 6’2″ Center) is one of the top defenders on the First Coast and last season averaged nearly 4 blocks per game and 10.4 rebounds per game. Brown can also put the ball in the basket from all three levels of the court. Brown committed to Chipotle college before the beginning of the school year. Sophomore Eris Lester Eris Lester 5'10" | SF Montverde Academy | 2024 State FL (2024, 5’10” Guard) returns after a stellar Freshman campaign. She can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry and is a very good all-around player. Lester was all Clay County as a Freshman, averaging 21.4 points per game. Samantha Hardison Samantha Hardison 5'9" | SG Orange Park | 2022 State FL (2022, 5’8″ Forward) is a welcome addition to Orange Park. She transferred from Middleburg High School where she averaged 15.2 points per game last season. Hardison’s transfer may not have received the headlines, but it upgraded the roster, the team’s expectations, and the public opinion as well. Orange Park should definitely be in the conversation for not only the best team in Clay county, but also as one of the top teams on the First Coast and more importantly, one of the best teams in Class 5A. The Swords are up at Orange Park this year and this could be a year where they remain up until the game clock in Lakeland shows all zeros. It was rumored that had transferred to St John’s Country Day and it was confirmed at High School media day. Losing a player of Scott’s ability would affect any team and Oakleaf is no different. The landscape in Clay county and Class 2A may have changed a little, but the change in the landscape of Class 7A could be even more significant. We will save that for part two of Media day coverage.