Outlook: Future Double-Figure Scorers

The recent graduating Class of 2022 was fairly strong in South Florida. Six players encompassed the top 25 in the region. In addition, six prospects were positioned from 25-50 overall. A level of talent will need to be replaced, as well as others who have moved on to college. Which prospects could step up in scoring? Let’s take a look... [player_tooltip player_id="243925" first="Taelyn" last="Carey"] - Westminter Academy 2022 Claire Erickson is headed off to Rollins. The 5-foot-6 guard averaged 14.2 points per game for the Class 3A state champions. That production will need to be replaced behind 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="243895" first="Lena" last="Girardi"] (20.2 ppg). 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="243925" first="Taelyn" last="Carey"] would be the logical choice. The 6-foot-1 forward averaged 8.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game this past season. Moreover, 142 of Carey’s rebounds came on the offensive end. Her frame and improved touch should alone convert into more buckets next season. More so, Carey will likely be more athletic in most of her one-on-one matchups. 2024 Aylana Mergilles is another watch here. The 5-foot-10 wing shot at least 50 percent from the field in each of her seven double-figure outings. She is also an athletic player in transition. Overall, Mergilles has made plays when given the opportunity. Keylee Allen - Western 2022 Taja Stephens (17.5 ppg) will go down as one of the best players in Western’s history. Solution? Well, the Wildcats have a number of quality prospects that could return this fall. One of those players is Keylee Allen. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged seven points and 6.3 rebounds per game (3.8 offensive) this past season. Furthermore, Allen finished in double-figures in 10 contests. Of those games, she shot at least 50 percent from the field in seven of them. We’ll see how this roster shakes out in the coming months. Markeli Jones - Tynes - Calvary Christian Academy 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="221649" first="Markeli" last="Jones-Tynes"] is too good of a playmaker to not average well above 10 points per game next season. She has already established herself as one of the top facilitating guards in South Florida. More so, the Eagles lose Samiyah Briggs (16.3 ppg) and Elizabeth Schnell (16.0 ppg) to graduation. Jones-Tynes scored in double-figures in 15 contests for the Class 4A runners up. Her ability to space the floor off her athleticism should give her easy opportunities at the rim. Joelle Wilson - Miami High The Stingarees are losing eight seniors to graduation. That group helped Miami High win 20 games and reach the Class 7A Final. While you should expect the Stingarees to bring in some talent, 2023 Joelle Wilson reassures them some returning experience. The 6-foot forward averaged 8.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Moreover, Wilson shot at least 50 percent from the field in 10 of 11 double-figure outings. [player_tooltip player_id="243907" first="Ashley" last="Martinez"] - Somerset Academy Silver Palms 2026 [player_tooltip player_id="243907" first="Ashley" last="Martinez"] is an excellent 3-point shooter. The 5-foot-5 guard hit 55 three’s while averaging 9.4 points per game this past season. She also hit two or more 3-pointers in 18 contests. Overall, Martinez scored in double-figures in 15 games. Three other prospects ([player_tooltip player_id="430459" first="Stephanie" last="Vega"]/[player_tooltip player_id="248642" first="Dianka" last="Hardisson"]/[player_tooltip player_id="426379" first="Shanaii" last="Gamble"]) also averaged over eight points per game. You also can’t forget about [player_tooltip player_id="426380" first="Unique" last="Horton"]’s double-double ability around the paint. It’s easy to see why Somerset Academy Silver Palms should be a team on the rise. 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.