First Coast 2023 Guards Now Making Their Mark
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Now that the third week of high school ball in Florida has wrapped up, there are quite a number of players who have not received much “pub” but are emerging as some very good and impactful high school basketball players. …
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Continue ReadingNow that the third week of high school ball in Florida has wrapped up, there are quite a number of players who have not received much “pub” but are emerging as some very good and impactful high school basketball players. In this article, we look at some Junior guards that are emerging as players to watch on the First Coast.
Janiah Hunter 2023 5’5″ G (Mandarin). When you watch Janiah Hunter on the basketball court, you can immediately tell that she has a natural feel for the game of basketball. She does a good job of handling the ball when running the point, and also plays well on the wing. Hunter really stands out in the open court after the change of possessions. She knows how to attack the basket and score. She has the ability to make the routine layup, but she also has the ability to make difficult shots look easy. Hunter also does a good job of filling the lanes on fastbreaks. Her natural basketball instincts are also visible when she is on the wing. She knows how to position herself to receive the pass and convert the basket. Defensively, Hunter does a very good job of playing the passing lanes. She creates a lot of easy scoring opportunities after steals. In five games, the Junior guard has shown the ability to knock down the open three and score in the open court. Hunter is averaging close to 9 points per contest.
Melissa Epting 2023, 5’7″ (Creekside) had an amazing week of basketball, including a 24 point, 10- rebound, and 13 steal game performance. The Junior guard followed that up with a 17 point, 12- rebound and 6 assist performance in the same week. Epting is no secret to the First Coast and she is a player to keep an eye on. She is a good on-ball and in-your-face defender. She also does a good job of playing the passing lanes. Consequently, she’s averaging nearly six steals per game. Offensively, she does a good job in transition and can finish going right or left. She can score on all three levels of the court. She is also crafty and does a really nice job of moving without the ball. She makes precise cuts to the basket and often leaves her defender behind in the process. Epting can finish on the right or left and also can create off of the dribble going in either direction.
Jasnea Hall-McDowell 2023, 5’2″ (Andrew Jackson) is one of the most athletic guards on the First Coast and can impact a game with her defense alone. This past week the guard was part of a winning effort against some of the top teams on the First Coast. Hall-McDowell is a lockdown defender and doesn’t flinch when defending players of the likes of Fantasia James Fantasia James 5'10" | SF Oakleaf | 2023 State FL , Kaylah Turner Kaylah Turner 5'5" | PG Oakleaf | 2023 State FL , or Eris Lester Eris Lester 5'10" | SF Montverde Academy | 2024 State FL . Offensively, Hall-McDowell can create off of the dribble and also shoot from all three levels on the court. At 5’2″ she might have one of the highest vertical jumps on the First Coast. Hall-McDowell is an exciting guard to watch and is emerging as a player to keep your eyes on throughout this basketball season.
Paetyn Miller Paetyn Miller 5'6" | CG Ridgeview | 2023 State FL 2023, 5’5″ (Ridgeview). The Junior point guard has had a solid season thus far. She is averaging 11.3 points per game and leads her team in steals and assists. Miller is an aggressive three-point shooter and will not hesitate if left open. Offensively, Miller is a player who stays on the attack and can drive left or right. She can score on all three levels and can do so off the dribble as well as off of the catch. Defensively, she is active and gets steals by playing the passing lanes and deflecting passes. Miller put a lot of work in at the gym over the summer and it’s showing on the court.