Who Are the Top 5 Teams in South Florida?

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">By Michael Wholey 11/14/22 9:00 AM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>The Tri County area of South Florida has traditionally been one of the strongest and most competitive areas of the state.  Four of seven state champions came out of South Florida in 2022 and 2021 and three of seven state champions came out of South Florida in 2020.  Westminster Academy, Miami Country Day, Blanche Ely, and Miami Senior HS have all won a state championship in the last 3 years and St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage, and Miami Christian have won multiple championships.  We take a look at who the top 5 teams are coming out of the region. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":251987,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/IMG_8742-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-251987" width="256" height="256"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The reigning 6A State Champs take the number one spot as they return a solid core and have added several impact transfers.  The loss of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='151282' first='Alancia' last='Ramsey']</strong> due to injury is a significant blow but with the recent addition of 6'2 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219927' first='Ka'Zahria' last='Johnson']</strong> (2024) from Norland and the improvement of 6'1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248694' first='Nyla' last='McFadden']</strong> (2025) this summer, the Raiders will still be the team to beat in the area. The Raiders will be led by Sun Sentinel Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91641' first='Karina' last='Gordon']</strong> (2023) and Mater Lakes transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219924' first='Khadee' last='Hession']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219942' first='Reina' last='Green']</strong> (2023) is one of the state's most athletic players and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221678' first='Kamryn' last='Corporan']</strong> (2024) is a versatile playmaker who will also see an increased role this year and will be key in the team's success. As always, St. Thomas Aquinas will have to face Blanche Ely multiple times, in what has turned into a very emotional and competitive rivalry that has accounted for each of the last three 6A State Championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Westminster Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":469589,"width":125,"height":187,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/5AACF734-0FBE-4970-AF4C-416C531EEE77-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-469589" width="125" height="187"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The reigning 3A State Champs come in at number 2, led by the class of 2025 top prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243895' first='Lena' last='Girardi']</strong>. With the addition <strong>of [player_tooltip player_id='221649' first='Markeli' last='Jones-Tynes']</strong> transferring in from Calvary Christian, the Lions have two premier 2025 guards, giving Westminster Academy the top backcourt in South Florida!  Sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='419934' first='Abby' last='Price'] (2025) and 6'1 <strong>Taelynn Carey</strong> (2023) give WA scoring, depth, and versatility, making the Lions the favorite to repeat as 3A State Champs and an extremely tough team to beat this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Miami Country Day</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":374670,"width":185,"height":277,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/01/104-DSC08149-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-374670" width="185" height="277"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coming off of a tough season injury wise, the Spartans look to return back to dominance as their core will be a year older and healthy. 6'1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217667' first='Kayla' last='Nelms']</strong> (2024) will lead the way after a big summer with the Miami Suns with FAU signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91642' first='Kristina' last='Godfrey']</strong> (2023) running the point guard position.  Fellow 2023 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219935' first='Aicha' last='Keita'] </strong>will return after missing significant time due to injury will provide a major boost. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='214184' first='Jalynn' last='Belton']</strong> (2027) had a huge summer, picking up major BCS interest from a number of major universities and will have a key role despite being just in 8^th grade while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217665' first='Sofia' last='Mendez']</strong> (2024) will be an integral piece to the team's success bringing a second ballhandler and superb 3-point shooting.  Look for the 3A State Championship to come down to who makes it out of South Florida between Westminster Academy and Miami Country Day, having won two of the last three championships and only one getting the opportunity to move onto Lakeland. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Blanche Ely Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":546461,"width":184,"height":230,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/11/Janessa-Kelley-Blanche-Ely-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-546461" width="184" height="230"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Competing in arguably the toughest district and region in the state, the Tigers have consistently been a contender the last few years and this year will be no different.  Coming off a strong summer with Team Knight on the 3ssb circuit, the duo of 2024s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217668' first='Gianna' last='Corbitt']</strong> and <strong>Janessa Kelly</strong> will lead the way for the Tiger's this season. Expect for 2023 <strong>Tamara Battle</strong> and 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221705' first='Laketrice' last='Peterson']</strong> to see an increased role this season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Somerset Silver Palms</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":468358,"width":139,"height":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/07/FRTQ-1hXEAQYtnM-838x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-468358" width="139" height="170"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Stallions are new to a list of schools who have consistently been contenders in recent years. They return a core of some of the state's top prospects in the class of 2024-2027 with a mix of ball handlers, post players, and shooters. Expect for 2024s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426380' first='Unique' last='Horton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426379' first='Shanaii' last='Gamble']</strong>, 2025 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248642' first='Dianka' last='Hardisson']</strong>, and 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243916' first='Victoria' last='Valle']</strong> to have breakout seasons. 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='430459' first='Stephanie' last='Vega']</strong> could also see a jump in production this season on a young but deep Stallion roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Other Notable Teams:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">American Heritage (Plantation), Palmer Trinity, Miami Senior, Somerset Prep North Lauderdale, King's Academy, North Broward Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.&nbsp; 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->