Sophomores Who Stood Out at the Gateway Conference Tournament
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This article highlights some of the Sophomores who impressed during the Gateway Conference Tournament. Nykeria Thomas Nykeria Thomas 5'10" | CG Mandarin | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’10 G (Mandarin). Thomas came into the Gateway conference tournament as not only…
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Continue ReadingThis article highlights some of the Sophomores who impressed during the Gateway Conference Tournament.
Nykeria Thomas Nykeria Thomas 5'10" | CG Mandarin | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’10 G (Mandarin). Thomas came into the Gateway conference tournament as not only one of the best Sophomores on the First Coast but is one of the best players on the First Coast. Her ability to put the ball in the basket in the paint is unmatched on the First Coast. Thomas has a variety of shots in the paint and can score in bunches. What is impressive is the variety of angles she can shoot from with the same result. Thomas runs the point primarily for the Mustangs, but her strengths are scoring in the paint and in transition. Thomas averages nearly 15 points per game, but could easily average over 20 points per game if she didn’t share the ball the way she does.
Kennedy Waymer Kennedy Waymer PG Paxon | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’6″ G (Paxton). Waymer showed some good things in the Gateway tournament, but her team was overmatched against the eventual gateway champion Jackson High School. Waymer is one of the most dynamic point guards on the First Coast. Her ability to drive to the basket and weave through traffic is special. She is most effective when driving the ball to her left. She has a very good mid-range game and can knock down the three-ball on occasion. Defensively, Waymer is at the top of the list in steals, averaging 4.6 steals per game.
Kiyana Hunter Kiyana Hunter 5'3" | PG Mandarin | 2024 State FL 2024 5’3 G (Mandarin). Hunter played well in the Gateway conference tournament. In one game, Hunter dished out four assists and against Andrew Jackson, she connected on some nice jumpers in transition. Hunter can shoot all levels, but she is most effective in the midrange area. Defensively, she does a good job on the ball and also plays the passing lanes very well. Hunter has quick hands and is one of the leaders in steals and deflections in District 7A1.
London Jenkins 2024 5’4 G (Riverside). Jenkins had some nice moments in the Gateway tournament. In the game I watched her play, her team was overmatched. All season she has shown the ability to handle the ball and break down the defense with her shiftiness. She can score on all three levels, but she is more effective in the paint at this stage. Jenkins averages nearly 13 points per game and 3 assists per contest.
Kennedy Hill Kennedy Hill 5'9" | SF Andrew Jackson | 2024 State FL 2024 5’7″ G (Andrew Jackson). After skipping basketball her Freshman season, this is Hill’s first year of high school basketball. Her main sport is track and field and it’s her speed on the basketball that makes her special on the court. In the Gateway conference tournament, Hill netted 17 points in one-half of play. Most of her points were in transition which is where Hill flourishes. Hill plays solid defense and can guard the 2 and the 3 and is excellent on the boards. She has the ability to generate fastbreaks off of the rebound.
Amina Yassin 2024 5’7 G (Mandarin). Yassin is a very athletic guard for Mandarin and she has the potential to be a very good player. Yassin can take the ball to the goal and has a very good float game. Yassin can shoot the 3 and looks to launch the 3 point shot from anywhere on the court. Her shooting aggressiveness was on display during the Gateway Conference. She is going to be a solid player in the next few years.
Kayla Massey 2024, 5’4″ G (Ribault). Massey has been put in the position to lead her young Ribault teammates. Massey looks to attack the basket on every offensive possession and she can go left or right. . Massey can score at all levels, but her strong suit is penetrating and shooting floaters in the paint.
Jaide Williams Jaide Williams 5'8" | PG Jean Ribault | 2024 State FL 2024, 5’6″ G (Terry Parker). Williams has done a good job this year handling the point guard and leadership duties for the young Terry Parker team. On the offense is where Williams is at her best. She has a good feel for the game and knows how to score the basket. Williams does a good job handling the ball and initiating the offense. She is an aggressive shooter but does make good basketball plays when her teammates are open.
Note: Ansley Hicks Ansley Hicks 5'6" | CG Paxon | 2024 State FL G (Paxon) and Gabrielle Fajardo G (Stanton) are two of the top 2024 guards in the county. The two standout guards didn’t participate in the Gateway Conference this year, but both have been solid performers all season long.