Sophomore Guards Who Stood Out in Week 3
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There were tons of good performances by 2024 guards on the First Coast. Not all players scored in double figures every game. Some players were special on the defensive end. Some settled their team down in close contests. Some hit…
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Continue ReadingThere were tons of good performances by 2024 guards on the First Coast. Not all players scored in double figures every game. Some players were special on the defensive end. Some settled their team down in close contests. Some hit clutch shots to win the game, while other players hit the shot to send the game to overtime. In this article, we look at 2024 guards who put points on the board in addition to their other contributions made this past week.
Nykeria Thomas Nykeria Thomas 5'10" | CG Mandarin | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’10” (Mandarin) was on a mission this week and showed why she is considered one of the most versatile players in the 2024 class and on the First Coast. At 5’10” she runs the point, the wing and sometimes she plays in the paint. Thomas can shoot on the outside, but she is at her best when she slashes up defenses on the inside. It’s rare to see a player catch a loose ball 5 feet from the basket, instinctively wrap the ball around her back, and calmly shoot a floater over the outstretched arms of elite defenders. Thomas routinely makes nearly impossible plays like this look routine. In the paint, she is lengthy and crafty. She contorts her body, hangs in the air, and shoots the ball from any angle necessary. Thomas is also dangerous in the open court. She can take it all the way and she also does a great job of filling the lanes on fast breaks. Defensively, Thomas plays the passing lanes very well and intercepts a lot of passes, and often turns those plays into easy buckets. Thomas knows how to score the ball. In week three, Thomas averaged nearly 17.5 points per game including a 19 point and 9 rebound performance against district opponent Sandalwood.
Kennedy Rosendahl Kennedy Rosendahl 5'6" | SG Ponte Vedra | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’8 (Ponte Vedra) With one of the purest three-point shots on the First Coast, Rosendahl had the shooting touch this past week. She knocked down a couple of threes against a talented Orange Park team and then went into AAU mode against Providence High on the First Coast. Rosendahl knocked down five threes and finished the week with 7 three-pointers. Rosendahl is a very versatile player and rarely makes costly turnovers. She does a good job of handling the ball and consistently makes the correct pass and basketball play. Rosendahl was in the zone this week and if she continues to shoot the ball like she is capable, it’s going to be trouble for her opponents.
Kennedy Waymer Kennedy Waymer PG Paxon | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’6″ (Paxon) has picked up this year where she left off from last year. The Sophomore guard is averaging 18 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals per game. Waymer is one of the top-scoring point guards on the First Coast. She is very aggressive on defense as indicated by her steal totals. She turns those steals into transition baskets on a regular basis. Offensively, Waymer attacks the basket with a purpose and knows how to put the ball in the basket. Her scoring comes primarily from the transition game and drives to the basket. Waymer’s name is one you need to remember. She has been a solid point guard since her middle school days and if she was on the AAU circuit, her name wouldn’t be unfamiliar to anyone. She is a special talent in the 2024 class. Waymer is also a talented 2024 softball player.
Gabrielle Fajardo 2024, 5’4″ (Stanton) Fajardo has stood out all season and the 2024 guard had another special week on the First Coast. Fajardo scored 15 late in the week and that’s right around her average for the season. She is a very mobile player and is always on the attack on offense. Fajardo does a good job of pushing the ball up the court and she can score on all levels. Fajardo averages 12 points, 5 steals, and 5 assists per contest.
Clutch Performers:
Autumn Nesmith 2024, 5’6″ G (Orange Park) hit the game-winner in a competitive contest against Ponte Vedra High School. With 40 seconds in the game, Nesmith calmly let a three fly from the right corner of the court. Nesmith has played in some big games against some good competition. She continues to play with great confidence and is emerging as a guard to watch in the 2024 class.
Hailey Revak 2024, 5’4″ G (Orange Park) snatched victory from the hands of Andrew Jackson High School with a game-tying three-pointer at the end of regulation. Revak has been tagged as the best three-point shooter on the team and she showed the reason why at the most opportune time. Moments like this could be the start of something special for the shooting guard.