Team Preview: Cardinal Gibbons

Throughout this month and next, I will be highlighting selected teams across South Florida. Today, my focus is on Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. The Chiefs went 11-7 in 2020 under head coach <strong>Kevin Gordon.</strong> Cardinal Gibbons will need to replace players <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215662" first="Sharale" last="McCormick"]</strong> (<strong>Flagler</strong>), <strong>Emily</strong> <strong>Jimenez</strong> (<strong>Monmouth</strong>), and transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243930" first="Ashleigh" last="Battle"]</strong> (<strong>Blanche Ely</strong>). Key players/roster: <div class="gmail_quote"> <div dir="ltr"> <div>Alessandra Conard, 5’5’" Guard, 11th-Junior</div> <div></div> </div> </div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div dir="ltr"> <div>[player_tooltip player_id="221642" first="Savanna" last="Nicholson"], 5’5” Point Guard, 9th-Freshman</div> <div></div> </div> </div> <div>[player_tooltip player_id="248545" first="Taylor" last="Williams"], 5’9” Wing/Guard, 11th-Junior</div> <div></div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div dir="ltr"> <div>Nadine Ognenovic, 6’0” Forward, 12th-Senior</div> <div></div> <div>[player_tooltip player_id="248695" first="Teagan" last="Wakefield"], 5’8" Wing/Guard, 9th-Freshman</div> <div></div> <div>Aryana Shelby, 5’8” Wing/Guard, 11th-Junior</div> <div></div> <div>Isabella Dijkhuzien, 5’4" Guard, -10th-Sophomore</div> <div></div> <div>[player_tooltip player_id="248419" first="Chloe" last="Celler"], 5’9" Wing/Guard, 12th-Senior</div> <div></div> <div>Isabella Lopez, 5’4" Guard, 10th-Sophomore</div> </div> </div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div dir="ltr"></div> <div dir="ltr">Brooke Buckman, 5’11" Forward, 11th-Junior</div> </div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div dir="ltr"> <div></div> <div>Sophia Perez, 5’11" Wing-Forward, 11th-Junior</div> <div></div> <div>Konstantina Mantziori, 5’6” Point Guard, 11th-Junior</div> </div> </div> <div></div> <div><strong>Breakdown</strong>:</div> <div></div> <div>Conard was a key reserve that should get more playing time this season. She averaged 7.4 points per game and is a threat from deep.</div> <div></div> <div>Nicholson is a tough player and scrappy defender. She can shoot the three and put up points quickly when she’s in the zone. She’s part of a good freshman class along with Wakefield. Both players have good fundamentals and bright futures once they get going.</div> <div></div> <div>Williams is a returning starter that averaged 9.1 points per game. Coach Gordon has her penciled in to play point guard. Therefore, Williams should have added responsibility as the Chiefs’ floor general. She is also a team captain.</div> <div></div> <div>Ognenovic is a solid defender for the Chiefs. She averaged 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Her size and length give her a huge advantage in the paint.</div> <div></div> <div>Celler is a solid player that knows this system. She averaged 10.9 points per game and is a team captain/leader. Celler plays multiple positions and can score from anywhere on the floor. She will be in the running as an all-county pick. Celler is a great student and committed to <strong>Brandies University</strong>.</div> <div></div> <div>Buckman is a returning starter that plays with a high motor. How many players do you know that average two charges per game? Buckman is a hard worker and the type of player any team would want. She’s durable and developing a nice offensive game.</div> <div></div> <div>Shelby was a key reserve that plays well on defense. She creates turnovers in passing lanes using her length and awareness. On offense, she is starting to develop a solid game.</div> <div></div> <div>Mantziori is a true point guard that is new to the area. She knows when to score and has great vision. Mantziori is equally as tough on defense. She will pressure her opponent baseline to baseline. Mantziori has received D-1 interest.</div> <div></div> <div>Overall, this is a young team with just two seniors on its roster. It will be interesting to see how fast they gel considering Cardinal Gibbons routinely  plays a tough schedule in 4A. The future is very bright once this roster gets games under their belt.</div> <div></div> <div><em><strong>For any South Florida Prep Girls Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong> </em></div>