Districts: Difference Makers
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Districts: Difference Makers
This being the first week of Districts around the state of Florida, here are a few kids that helped their team in the first week of the postseason.
McKenna Murphy McKenna Murphy 5'6" | SG Boone | 2024 State FL 2024 5’6” SG Boone
Murphy had a great first game of the first round of districts versus Maynard Evans High School. She scored 16 pints, 3-3 from the three-point line in the win. She is a very aggressive and crafty player that can take the ball to the basket off the dribble, finishing with either hand through the contact. She has a good-looking shot that comes out of her hand with good form, she is averaging 10.8 pints per game on the season for the Braves. Look forward to seeing her future performances in the postseason.
Eriyona Peterson 2022 5’7” SG Evans
Peterson had a good game versus Boone, scoring 15 points in the first-round loss. She has good touch from the mid-range, with the capability to knock down the 3-point shot. She is tough on the boards, collecting rebounds for the Trojans. On the season, she is scoring 7.4 points per game, snatching 1.8 rebounds per game, and getting 1.6 steals per game.
Olivia Staples Olivia Staples 5'6" | SG Freedom | 2025 State FL 2025 5’7” SG Freedom
Staples had 19 points in Freedoms Class 7A district 9 win versus Lake Nona High School. The versatile lefty can attack the basket off the dribble or pull up to knock down the outside shot. Only a freshman, she has been the key to the success of the Patriots up to this point. She is averaging 10.2 points per game and getting 3.7 rebounds per game. Look forward to seeing watching her as the postseason continues.
Hannah Kohn Hannah Kohn 5'9" | CG Hagerty | 2023 State FL 2023 5’9” SG Hagerty
The junior guard for the Huskies, had a tremendous game versus Colonial High School in the Class 7A District 3 final, scoring a game high 37 points in the loss. She scored six 3s in the first half. Kohn has a super quick release that when she touches the ball, it is released with deadly accuracy. She is a match up nightmare for the Huskie opponents, as she is non-stop trying to get open, going around screens and taking openings wherever she can. Extremely smart with the ball, she can manipulate the defenders to get herself in the perfect body position for draw fouls, while scoring to complete the and 1.
Dezmariah Soto Dezmariah Soto 5'3" | CG Faith Christian | 2024 State FL 2024 5’2” PG Faith Christian Academy
Soto is one of five sophomores on the loaded Faith Christian squad. In the 2A District 8 final versus Orlando Christian Prep, she had 23 points, including six 3s. In the first round of the districts versus City of Life Christian she had seven 3s and ended with 21 points. She sees the floor very well, making on target passes to her teammates. Soto runs the show for the Lions, passing out 2.1 assists for the season. Faith Christian is a top favorite in the Class 2A, if they can get more output from Soto, they will be tough to beat.
Carmen Richardson Carmen Richardson 5'8" | CG Colonial | 2024 State FL 2024 5’8” SG Colonial
Versus Hagerty in the Class 7A District 3 final she scored a team high 29 points. Richardson is a tough in your face defender that applies relentless ball pressure. She is averaging 13.9 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and 2.4 steals per game. In the first round of Districts versus Oviedo she had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals in the win. In the District semi-final she scored 29 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Colonial is another heavily favorite team in the Orlando area, and with these performances by Richardson, they will be tough to beat.
Luke Zbynski is the Orlando area Prep Girls Hoops writer. Any story ideas or general basketball information, please contact him at zbynskiprephoops@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @zbynskiprephoop.