Best Tandems: Underclassmen (South Florida)

We have some very good teams here in South Florida. All you have to do is look at the state tournament and you will see various teams from all classes represented in Lakeland. Many of those programs have multiple talented prospects. Here are some of the best from the rising senior class on down. [player_tooltip player_id="243895" first="Lena" last="Girardi"]/[player_tooltip player_id="243925" first="Taelyn" last="Carey"] - Westminster Academy 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="243895" first="Lena" last="Girardi"] is already one of the best players in South Florida. She is an efficient three-level scorer with plenty of length to help on the glass. Girardi averaged over 20 points per game and helped Westminster Academy to a state championship. Her teammate, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="243925" first="Taelyn" last="Carey"], also gives the Lions an excellent chance at repeating in Class 3A. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 8.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, two steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 31 percent from the field. Carey is a terrific defender thanks to her frame and athleticism. She also plays with a high motor around the paint. Nearly half (142) of her 302 rebounds came on the offensive end of the floor. Any improvement in her scoring efficiency could see her recruitment take off. Carey has all the natural ability to have a big summer and senior season. [player_tooltip player_id="219924" first="Khadee" last="Hession"]/[player_tooltip player_id="349421" first="Kalia" last="Harrington"] - Mater Lakes Academy Opponents are going to have a tough time scoring with 5-foot-10 [player_tooltip player_id="219924" first="Khadee" last="Hession"] and 5-foot-9 [player_tooltip player_id="349421" first="Kalia" last="Harrington"] out on the perimeter. Both players are highly athletic and move well on defense. On offense, they both shoot at an efficient rate with Harrington being terrific from deep (41 percent). Hession and Harrington are rising juniors. [player_tooltip player_id="217669" first="Jade" last="Leon"]/[player_tooltip player_id="91640" first="Emily" last="Montes"] - Miami Palmer Trinity 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="91640" first="Emily" last="Montes"] and 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="217669" first="Jade" last="Leon"] have played with one another each of the past two seasons for the Falcons. I think there’s something to be said about that when you combine their length and athleticism. They have a level of chemistry on the floor and are productive. Both are 5-foot-10 guards that can shoot and create off the dribble. Moreover, their length put them 1-2 on Palmer Trinity in rebounding. [player_tooltip player_id="221649" first="Markeli" last="Jones-Tynes"]/[player_tooltip player_id="243882" first="Jocelyn" last="Gagnon"] - Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="221649" first="Markeli" last="Jones-Tynes"] is one of the best point guard prospects in South Florida. The 5-foot-9 amassed 172 assists to just 54 turnovers. Her athleticism combined with her vision on the floor is tough to contain. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="243882" first="Jocelyn" last="Gagnon"] can really stretch the floor after knocking down 43 3-pointers. Her overall shooting also continues to improve. At 5-foot-11, Gagnon has plenty of length to guard multiple spots on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="91641" first="Karina" last="Gordon"]/[player_tooltip player_id="151282" first="Alancia" last="Ramsey"] - St. Thomas Aquinas 2023’s [player_tooltip player_id="91641" first="Karina" last="Gordon"] and [player_tooltip player_id="151282" first="Alancia" last="Ramsey"] helped St. Thomas Aquinas to its second straight state championship. Gordon, a 5-foot-9 point guard, averaged a team-best 13.8 points per game. Ramsey, a transfer from Delray American Heritage, averaged 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest. Both are two of the best returning players in Class 6A. For any South Florida Prep Girls Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.