First Coast Back Courts Impressive in Playoffs

A lot of the playoff success from the First Coast teams has been because of the stellar play from the guards. In this article, we look at the backcourt of some of the teams in the playoffs, including the three teams from the First Coast who made it to the Final Four in Lakeland. Bishop Kenny [caption id="attachment_279745" align="alignleft" width="261"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-279745" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1370-e1623181388424-261x300.jpg" alt="" width="261" height="300" /> Photo: Twitter via @maddie_millar10[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91575" first="Maddie" last="Millar"] 2022, 5’8 G has been shooting the cover off of the ball in the playoffs. Millar is one of the best shooters in the State of Florida. Millar also does a good job of handling the ball and handling pressure. She has tons of experience in the big games and she has been to the final 4 before. Her experience and ability to score should continue to pay huge dividends in Lakeland. Millar recently scored 27 points in the regional finals (4 three-pointers) and 25 points in the Regional semifinals ( 6 three-pointers). [player_tooltip player_id="247118" first="Sophia" last="Rueppell"] 2023 is one of the best guards on the First Coast. She hasn’t been asked to provide the scoring this year, but the junior guard can score from all areas of the court. Rueppell has been consistent in getting her team into their offensive sets and has done a good job of facilitating the offense this year and in the playoffs. Rueppel has dished out 12 assists in the last 2 playoff games. The junior guard does have the ability to put the ball in the basket and can score on all three levels of the court. In the first round of the playoffs, Rueppell had a 20 point and 7 assist performance. Rueppell also does a good job of handling the ball in press breaks and running the offense.   University Christian Lariel Green 2022, 5’8” has played very well over the playoff season. In the last few games, the senior, Green has come up huge in the big moments. Green has used her four-year experience and has made major contributions this year, especially in the playoffs. She has been very effective and calm in the big games and more importantly in the big moments of the game. In the regional semifinals, Green scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. She also put up some big numbers in other playoff games, including 10 points in the district championship game. Green can shoot the 3 and also does a good job of getting to the rim. <img class=" wp-image-391581 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/20210706_161512-scaled-crop-1362x895-1645607371-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="259" height="170" />Alanna Tatum 2026, 5’6” was in 5th grade when her counterpart Lariel Green played her first high school game. Tatum is an 8th grader who is playing on the biggest stage in high school basketball. She has shown the ability to play in the big moments of the playoffs. Defensively, Tatum has been very good and has drawn some tough assignments in the playoffs. She can affect the game from her defense alone. Her ability to defend the opposing team’s point guard makes her very valuable and disruptive on the court. Offensively, Tatum has the ability to get to the goal and is very good in the mid-range area. Nease <img class="size-medium wp-image-391582 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/20211220_203627-scaled-crop-1362x895-1645607420-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="243958" first="Sydney" last="Gomes"] 2022, 5’7” G is a baller and can knock down the big shot when called upon to do so. In the playoffs, Gomes has scored 20, 27, and 25. She has also averaged nearly 8 rebounds per game in the last 3 games. Gomes is the player you want down the stretch because of her ability to draw fouls, get to the free-throw line, and score points in the biggest moments of the game. Gomes can score on all levels and her basketball IQ is very high.   <img class="wp-image-368463 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/20211118_192249-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="246" />   [player_tooltip player_id="243999" first="Camryn" last="Robinson"] 2023, 5’6” has been very important to the success of Nease. She has been a consistent scorer for Nease and you can count on her to make the correct basket ball plays during the game. Robinson makes the right basketball play and also comes through in the clutch. Roberson can pass it, score on all levels, and has a high basketball IQ. In the Regional finals, Robinson scored 18 points. She also scored 14 in the semifinals.     Orange Park <img class="size-medium wp-image-391583 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/20211130_192054-1-1-scaled-crop-1362x895-1645607520-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="331745" first="Eris" last="Lester"] 2024, 5’10 G. All season long Lester has averaged nearly 20 points per game. She has the uncanny ability to get to her spots on the floor and score with ease. Her combination of athleticism and skill is what makes her so effective. She can shoot the mid-range shot and can also knock down the three-ball. She is also dangerous on the offensive rebound and scores a lot of her points on put-backs after the offensive rebound. Lester uses her length to play solid defense, and she is very active in the passing lanes. She secures a lot of steals because of her long and athletic frame. In the first 2 rounds, Lester averaged over 20 points per contest (26, 15).   <img class="size-medium wp-image-391584 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/20211130_192128-scaled-crop-1362x895-1645607582-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Piera Alexander 2024, 5’7’ G. Alexander has played well all season long and has the ability to affect the game in a lot of areas. She can score on all levels. Her strongest point this year was getting her team in its offense and making the correct read on plays. Her ball handling was very good and she did a good job of breaking the press with crisp passes and good handles. Alexander does a little of everything on the courts (rebounding, ball handling, defense, etc). She is a good all-around player. Piera had 14 points in the Regional semi-finals.