2024 Standouts From Orange Park Preseason Tournament
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Looking at the landscape of basketball on the First Coast, there is one thing that is becoming more noticeable. The 2024 class may have more Varsity ballplayers than any other class on the First Coast. It was very apparent…
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Continue ReadingLooking at the landscape of basketball on the First Coast, there is one thing that is becoming more noticeable. The 2024 class may have more Varsity ballplayers than any other class on the First Coast. It was very apparent in the Orange Park preseason tournament. Orange Park and Mandarin each played with six sophomores and Ridgeview and Terry Parker played with their share of sophomores as well. In this article, we look at the top 2024 standouts from the Orange Park Pre-season tournament.
Eris Lester Eris Lester 5'10" | SF Montverde Academy | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’10 (Orange Park). Lester picked up where she left of from last year, putting the ball through the hoop. In her Freshman year, a lot of Lester’s baskets were on breakaway layups and put-backs. some from behind the arc. In the Orange Park Preseason Tournament, Lester showed an array of basketball moves that were really advanced and her three-point shot has improved from last season. At one juncture, Lester hit three consecutive three-point shots in three straight offensive possessions. Defensively, Lester was aggressive in her on-ball defense and at 5’10 she played at the top and bottom of the two -three-zone.
Piera Alexander 2024, 5’8′ (Orange Park) . In her first Varsity action, Alexander was very poised on the court and did a lot of good things. She was used as the primary ball-handler and did a good job of handling the ball and the defensive pressure. Alexander shot the ball well, particularly from behind the arc. She was not hesitant about penetrating to the basket. Alexander’s on-ball defense was on point.
Mychaela Parker Mychaela Parker 6'2" | C Orange Park | 2024 State FL 2024, 6’0″ (Orange Park). Parker was a force in the paint all tournament long. She was impressive on the offensive glass and created multiple scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Several times Parker used her strength and height to draw fouls and go to the free-throw line. Defensively, Parker recorded several blocked shots in the paint and altered a few more.
Autumn Nesmith 2024, 5’6″ (Orange Park). Nesmith showed a lot of grit during the tournament, especially in the Raiders’ first game against a talented Andrew Jackson roster. Many pick Andrew Jackson to contend for the state title this year. Nesmith did a good job of handling the full-court press and the moment of the game was never too big for her. On top of her composure, Nesmith knocked down four three-pointers and at one point scored 10 consecutive points for the Lady Raiders.
Kennedy Hill Kennedy Hill 5'9" | SF Andrew Jackson | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’8″ (Andrew Jackson). Hill did a good job of scoring on the inside. Hill did a lot of the little things like playing great defense, deflecting passes, and crashing the boards and securing rebounds and second-chance scoring opportunities. With a roster as deep as Jackson’s roster, consistently scoring may be hard to come by, but Hill’s speed and athleticism, and her ability to dribble and put pressure on the opposition will keep the talented Sophomore on the court.
Jaide Williams Jaide Williams 5'8" | PG Jean Ribault | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’6″ (Terry Parker) did some nice things during the pre-season tournament. Williams was particularly good in transition where she got some easy buckets and got her teammates involved in the game. Williams does a good job of handling the ball and does a good job of putting her team in their offensive sets. Williams has a high basketball IQ and her coach calls her the “coach on the floor.” She can also shoot the three-ball and has a nice mid-range game.
Nia Blocton Nia Blocton 6'0" | PF Ridgeview | 2024 State FL 2024, 6’2″ (Ridgeview) was very impressive in her Sophomore debut, scoring at will in a multitude of ways (offensive rebounds, post moves, drives to the basket, and a few mid-range jumpers). Blocton was basically unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball and recorded a lot of rebounds. She is a double-double just waiting to happen. Defensively she was very active in the paint, blocking and changing shots.
Kiyana Hunter Kiyana Hunter 5'3" | PG Mandarin | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’3″ (Mandarin). Hunter did a good job at the point guard position and was solid in her distribution of the basketball to open teammates. Hunter was impressive at finding the open player in transition and creating easy scoring opportunities. Hunter did a good job of taking the ball to the basket and drawing fouls. Hunter also shot the ball well from behind the arc. Defensively, Hunter was impressive in man-to-man defense, where she forced several turnovers and recorded a few steals.
Amina Yassin 2024, 5’8′ (Mandarin). Yassin stepped it up in this tournament and did a great job of shooting the ball and scoring baskets. Yassin scored on layups, floaters, mid-range shots, and several shots from behind the arc. Yassin was aggressive taking the ball to the goal. With the graduation of Jayla Thompson from last year’s team, Yassin and Hunter will be called upon to fill the 18 point void left by Thompson.
The First Coast is littered with players from the class of 2024. Mandarin and Orange Park have at least five to six roster spots occupied by 2024 players. Other teams with a multitude of 2024 players include Bolles, Ponte Vedra, and Bishop Kenny.