Previewing the Florida 5A Final Four

<strong>Previewing the Florida 5A Final Four </strong> By Michael Wholey 2/24/22 6:00 PM EST <em>American Heritage (Plantation), Pine Forest, Charlotte, and Bishop Moore head to Lakeland for the 5A Semi-Finals and Finals competing for a State Championship!  </em> <em> </em> <img class=" wp-image-355326 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/E3xuxsaWUAADZot-1-169x300.jpeg" alt="" width="134" height="238" />American Heritage (Plantation) has won four straight state titles and are the favorites to do it again and make it five straight! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118146" first="Ta’Niya" last="Latson"]</strong> is the player to watch.  Latson led Westlake to a State and National championship last year in Georgia and now looks to win another championship in Florida, wrapping up a stellar prep career.  The 5’10 guard is one of the country’s top players and is signed to go to Florida State next year.  She is a skilled offensive player that can knock it down from 3, attack you off the dribble, and score high above the rim.  She is one of the state’s top scoers, averaging 26.6 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists.  Fellow Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91566" first="Joey" last="Delancy"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91565" first="Emani" last="Theodule"]</strong> make up American Heritage big 3.  Delancy is a skilled guard/wing that can do a little bit of everything and is averaging 16.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.  Theodule is one of the state’s top outside shooters and can flat out stroke it from 3.  She is averaging 12.2 points and 3.0 assists to go along with 2.2 steals per game.  The Patriots are the heavy favorites and look for them to win the 5A State Championship big, taking home their fifth in a row! <img class=" wp-image-371798 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/image2-e1641245428906-276x300.jpeg" alt="" width="182" height="198" />Charlotte heads to Lakeland as the # 2 seed and are back in the final four for the second year in a row! Charlotte pulled out hard fought and close games vs South Fort Myers (62-49) and Clearwater (41-39) in the regional semi-finals and finals to make it to Lakeland.  Junior Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91644" first="D’Yanis" last="Jimenez"]</strong> is the one to watch for Charlotte.  Jimenez is impressive with the ball in her hands and is a dynamic scorer who is very good in 1v1 situations and playing off the bounce.  She makes things look easy and leads the team in points (15.4), rebounds (6.2), and steals (3.1).   Her backcourt mate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151272" first="Aryana" last="Hicks"]</strong> is a Niagara signee and an impact player on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.  Look for these two to have big games to lead Charlotte to the championship! &nbsp; Pine Forest is no stranger to Lakeland, having fallen to American Heritage in the finals in 2020.  They defeated Ridgeview, Mainland, and Orange Park in the regionals to earn a spot in Lakeland.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91603" first="Tahnyjia" last="Purifoy"]</strong> is a fun one to watch.  She is an athletic, high-energy scorer who leads the team with 18.9 points per game.  But Purifoy will not be able to lead Pine Forest to victory by herself.  She will need help from Sophomore Guard <strong>Niylia Wilkins</strong> (16.3 PPG) and <strong>Makevia House</strong> (9.5 PPG) to take it home this time! Bishop Moore heads to Lakeland led by first year head coach Rickey Claitt.  Bishop Moore took down # 1 seed Gateway 37-35 in the regional finals and look to keep it going.  Juniors <strong>Alexandra Merceron</strong> (11.6 PPG) and <strong>Alyssa Brasco</strong> (10.1 PPG) both average double digits and will look to lead their team to victory.  If they pull it out, it will likely be a team effort, relying on a well-balanced offensive attack, spreading the floor, sharing the ball, and knocking down open shots! &nbsp; <strong>Michael Wholey</strong> is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.