Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of 2024 ball players on the First Coast and around the State of Florida, and the best of the class is highly ranked in the most recent Prep Girl Hoops 2024 rankings. In this article we make the case for a few players who could lay claim as the “Top Dog” in the 2024 class. These players are not only good, but they are getting better and better.
Eris Lester
Eris
Lester
5'10" | SF
Montverde Academy | 2024
State
FL
(Orange Park/Miami Suns/PGH #9). Lester has a body of work in the last few years that is impressive and equal or greater than any other player on the 2024 list of 307 Sophomores. Lester averaged 21.5 points per game as a Freshman. As a Sophomore, Lester averaged 20.4 points per game and her game grew literally by “leaps and rebounds” as she averaged 8.3 rebounds per game and 135 offensive rebounds for the season. Lester also showed more diversity to her game in her Sophomore campaign with a killer midrange game, increased three point shooting, offensive putbacks, and she was lethal in the open court and in the transition game. For the second consecutive season, Lester was named District Player of the Year. Despite her early success, Lester is one of the hardest workers out there, and she strives for the top spot in everything she participates in. The Prep Girl 2024 ranking is no exception. In the past week, Lester has received several major college offers. Her stock continues to rise and that number one spot is in sight.
Kiara Williams
Kiara
Williams
6'1" | PF
Palm Bay Magnet | 2024
State
FL
(Palm Bay/ECU Family 2023/PGH #3). Williams had a good Sophomore season in High School, averaging 12.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. In the AAU season, Williams has been special. She has actually been dominant at times, and she has done so in the 17U – 2023 division. Offensively, Williams has impressed with her power and explosiveness. She has rebounded well, she has run the court well, and she has been a beast inside the paint. Williams has really been special in the pick and roll game this AAU season. She has great size, agility, determination, and all the intangibles of a number one player. Williams play has been so good that she garnered a scholarship offer after her performance in the Apache Memorial in Charlotte, NC.
Nia Blocton
Nia
Blocton
6'0" | PF
Ridgeview | 2024
State
FL
(Ridgeview High School/MHD Elite/ PGH #26). For the last two seasons, Blocton has averaged a “double-double.” As a Freshman, Blocton averaged 13.2 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. Last year in her Sophomore campaign, Blocton averaged 15.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Blocton has size, power, and speed. In addition to being a very good offensive player who can finish in the paint with both hands, Blocton plays good defense and runs the floor like a guard.
Clare Coyle
Clare
Coyle
6'1" | PF
Bishop Kenny | 2024
State
FL
(Bishop Kenny/ECU Family 2023/PGH #21) . Coyle has gotten better every year since she emerged on the high school scene last year. I have watched many of her games. Last season, her Sophomore season,she was getting the better of some highly ranked players on the First Coast. She can rebound with the best of them, and her energy on both ends of the court is unmatched. Her offensive game has developed over the past two years and Coyle can score from every level on the court. She averaged nearly 9 points and 8 rebounds per game last season and she is on a projectory to average a double-double in her Junior season. Coyle can shoot the long ball effectively, she is efficient in the midrange area, and deadly in the paint. Make a note of it. Coyle is primed for a special Junior season. One that might be worthy of that number one spot.
