City Rankings: Top 2023 Impactful Players in Jacksonville

The First Coast consists of several cities and the main three cities are Jacksonville, St Augustine, and Orange Park. Orange park (Clay County) has the top three 2023 players on the First Coast and possibly in the entire State of Florida. St Johns county also has some of the top talent on the First Coast. In this article, we look at some of the top seniors in Jacksonville, particularly those who will have the most impact on their respective teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='352604' first='Xaniya' last='Jackson'] / 6'0" PF-C / Andrew Jackson   Jackson is one of the best 2023 players in the city and one of the most competitive players as well. She had a very good summer garnering a lot of college interest. She can really mix it up in the paint and is an excellent rebounder on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Jackson can also score the basketball. She is good in the mid-range area and can score through physical play on the inside. Jackson rebounds the ball well and she does so with force and with an edge. Jackson had a productive and special summer and garnered college interest all summer long. Last season, Jackson brought her A game to the games that really mattered. She was also very instrumental in leading her team to the Gateway championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='247118' first='Sophia' last='Rueppell'] / 5'9" PG / Bishop Kenny   Rueppell is one of the top point guards on the First Coast. This past AAU season, Rueppell played the position very well. She shot it well this AAU season, but her basketball IQ is what stood out this summer. She was really impressive at reading defenses and game situations. Rueppell was really good in the pick and roll game and also made a conscious effort to distribute the rock to some really good shooters. Rueppell has become a highly sought-after guard who received numerous offers over the summer. She showed a lot of maturity to her game and she is poised to take over a leadership role this upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='91643' first='Jada' last='Jones'] 6'4" C / Sandalwood   Jones is one of the most dominant players in the State and definitely one of the top players in Jacksonville. The best defense is keeping the ball out of her hands. She is a load of power and force. Last season, Jones averaged 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Defensively, Jones can control the paint. She averaged 3 blocks per game and probably changed 3 to 4 more per game. Jones is poised to have a special season and look for her to average a double-double her senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='430453' first='Alexia' last='Taliferro'] / 5'8" / Andrew Jackson   Taliferro is one of the top and most versatile players in Jacksonville and on the entire First Coast. Taliferro can really score the basketball. There were several times during the AAU season when she hit the 25-point mark. She can score from behind the arc on occasion, but she loves getting to the rim and getting out in transition. Taliferro is poised to have a breakout season with the exit of Jazmine Jackson and Indreauna Bargeron. She will get more scoring opportunities and should have the ball in her hands a lot more this season. Defensively, Taliferro is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='247233' first='Ella' last='Ortman'] / 5'8" PG / Providence   This is a big year for Ortman and look for her to end her Senior year the same way she started her Freshman season. She will have the pedal to the medal and the threes will be flying from every angle on the court. Ortman can shoot the ball and she was amongst the leaders in the State her Freshman season. This year Ortman will be counted on for scoring, ball handling, and leadership.   Jasnea Hall-McDowell / 5'3" CG / Andrew Jackson   Hall-McDowell is one of the top athletes in the 2023 class. She can score from all levels on the court. Her defense is her main attribute. McDowell can cover the 1, 2 3, and height is no issue when she is covering on the wing. She does a good job of handling the ball and can score and distribute the ball. Hall-McDowell is also one of the most athletic players on the First Coast.   [player_tooltip player_id='470412' first='Janise' last='Respess'] / 5'5" G / Parker   Respess really played well in AAU ball and she will be bringing a different game and confidence to the courts this 2022 season. She uses her speed as the main foundation of her game. She can get to the rack and is hard for defenders to keep up with her. Defensively, she is a good on-ball defender and can disrupt an offense. She loves to play in the open court and utilize her speed and quickness on offense and defense.   Janiyah Hunter / 5'6" PG / Mandarin   Hunter is the wildcard on this list of players. She could really be impactful as a point guard and could allow others to play in their strongest positions on the court. Hunter handles the ball very well and when she lets the game come to her she is an asset on the court. Hunter is good at penetrating the ball and also very good in transition. She has a natural feel for the game and really fills the lanes on fastbreaks and changes of possession. Hunter is a good defender and plays the passing lanes very well. Hunter has been given more responsibility for the upcoming season and is poised to have a standout season.   [player_tooltip player_id='247156' first='Kate' last='Burhyte'] / 5'7 PG / Episcopal   Burhyte does a good job of running the point her team. Burhyte can also shoot the ball from behind the arc and also does a good job of attacking the basket. Burhyte connected on 35 threes last season and was also instrumental on the boards, averaging nearly 4 rebounds per game from the guard position. Burhyte's importance to her squad can't be measured in numbers. She returns as the team's leader.   [player_tooltip player_id='247154' first='Yakiya' last='Milton'] / 6'4" F / Mandarin   Milton is ready to make her mark on a talented Mandarin team. Her versatility and athleticism will be showcased in Mandarin's run-and-gun style of play. On offense, Milton can play on the inside and outside, and with Mandarin's personnel Milton will have more opportunities to showcase her outside shooting. Defensively, Milton can also defend on the outside and in the paint. She is an elite shot blocker and will excel in Mandarin's fast pace of play. Milton will be teamed up with guards who love to pass and set up the bigs with easy scoring opportunities. Milton is poised to have a big season with the Mustangs and instantly makes the Mustangs, who were last year's biggest story, a team to again watch this upcoming season.

The First Coast consists of several cities and the main three cities are Jacksonville, St Augustine, and Orange Park. Orange park (Clay County) has the top three 2023 players on the First Coast and possibly in the entire State of Florida. St Johns county also has some of the top talent on the First Coast. In this article, we look at some of the top seniors in Jacksonville, particularly those who will have the most impact on their respective teams.