2023 New Years Classic Recap – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">By Michael Wholey 1/17/23 5:00 PM EST</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>The 2023 New Years Classic powered by SUTS Report was hosted at St. Thomas Aquinas and Cardinal Gibbons January 6-7, 2023.  The event attracted 40 of the state's top varsity and JV teams for the 2 day event including Montverde Academy, currently the # 1 team in the country out of Montverde, FL. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":583643,"width":162,"height":223,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Joelle-Wilson-Miami-Sr-HS.jpg?w=742" alt="" class="wp-image-583643" width="162" height="223" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243895' first='Lena' last='Girardi']</strong> (Westminster Academy) dropped 21 points in the first half building up a 29-20 first half lead over Miami Senior High School but then was held scoreless in the second half.  Miami High came all the way back from a double digit deficit, taking the lead in the fourth quarter with Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515779' first='Joelle' last='Wilson']</strong> doing damage in the paint and finishing with 22 points.  In the end, Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221649' first='Markeli' last='Jones-Tynes']</strong> (Westminster Academy) went 5-6 from the free throw line down the stretch and secured the win for Westminster Academy 41-34. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":583642,"width":184,"height":272,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Emely-Rodriguez-Horeb.jpg?w=691" alt="" class="wp-image-583642" width="184" height="272" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572864' first='Emely' last='Rodriguez']</strong> was one the events standouts, putting on two impressive individual performances, doing everything she could to lead her Horeb Christian team to victory averaging 27.5 points in her two games.  She had an event high 34 points in their 72-42 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas where her 30+ point performance was matched by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91641' first='Karina' last='Gordon']</strong> (30 points) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219942' first='Reina' last='Green']</strong> (21 points) for the Raiders.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In Saturday nights matchup, Miami Country Day double teamed and face guarded throughout the night, making it difficult to get the ball.  She still managed 21 points but it was not enough as Miami Country Day came away with the win 45-42.   In the win, Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217667' first='Kayla' last='Nelms']</strong> put together a second consecutive double digit performance leading Miami Country Day in scoring again, finishing with 17 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":583641,"width":199,"height":243,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Victoria-Valle-3-Somerset.jpeg?w=839" alt="" class="wp-image-583641" width="199" height="243" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class of 2027 (8th Grade) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243916' first='Victoria' last='Valle']</strong> was the events top young gun scoring in double digits in both games.  Friday night she dropped 14 points in a loss to Batavia High School out of Illinois and then Saturday night dropped 24 points leading her Somerset Academy Silver Palms team to a 55-50 win over Seminole Ridge.  In Friday nights game, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243907' first='Ashley' last='Martinez']</strong> (Somerset Academy Silver Palms) reached an impressive feat, scoring her 1,000th career point in just her Freshman year.  The 5'5 guard has been playing varsity ball for several years and is one of the state's top outside shooters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sophomore <strong>Jim'Miyah Branton</strong> (SLAM! Academy) out of Miami earned second team all tournament for her 25 point effort in a win over Western HS and following that up with a 15 point effort in SLAM Academy dominant 64-21 win over Gulliver Prep.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":583640,"width":201,"height":251,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Riley-Stoker-Somerset-Prep.jpeg?w=821" alt="" class="wp-image-583640" width="201" height="251" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248693' first='Riley' last='Stoker']</strong> paced Somerset Prep with a team high 17 points in a back and forth battle vs Palmer Trinity on Saturday.  In the 55-52 loss, Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91640' first='Emily' last='Montes']</strong> (Columbia University signee) had 17 points and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217669' first='Jade' last='Leon']</strong> had 16 points for Palmer Trinity.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515779' first='Joelle' last='Wilson']</strong> (Miami Senior HS) was dominant all weekend in the paint putting up 21 points on Friday vs Westminster Academy in the loss and then scoring 19 points on Saturday in the win over Kings Academy 50-41.  The 6'0 forward was one of the top front court players, finishing at a high percentage while also being dominant on the board and showcasing a soft touch from 15 feet.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":583639,"width":181,"height":286,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/Peyton-Looky-2-Cypress-Bay.jpg?w=647" alt="" class="wp-image-583639" width="181" height="286" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221697' first='Peyton' last='Looky']</strong> (Cypress Bay) was one the events top outside shooters.  In Friday's matchup vs Palmetto she dropped 26 points and then followed that up with 19 points vs Carrollton.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Host Cardinal Gibbons went 2-0 in the event defeating Flanagan 50-21 with Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248695' first='Teagan' last='Wakefield']</strong> and Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398981' first='Jordan' last='Kosoy']</strong> both reaching double digits with 11 points then defeating Miami Christian 68-49 Saturday with five players reaching double digits for Cardinal Gibbons <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221642' first='Savanna' last='Nicholson']</strong> (12 points), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='900318' first='Kayla' last='Greyvensteyn']</strong> (12 points), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398981' first='Jordan' last='Kosoy']</strong> (13 points), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352563' first='Brooke' last='Buckman']</strong> (10 points), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='363903' first='Konstantina' last='Mantziori'] </strong>(12 points).  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Varsity All-Tournament Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219933' first='Mjracle' last='Sheppard']</strong>&nbsp;(Montverde Academy)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91641' first='Karina' last='Gordon']</strong>&nbsp;(St. Thomas Aquinas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243895' first='Lena' last='Girardi']</strong>&nbsp;(Westminster Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Emily Rodriguez</strong>&nbsp;(Horeb Christian)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='217667' first='Kayla' last='Nelms']</strong> (Miami Country Day) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brooke Carlson</strong>&nbsp;(Batavia) – IL&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243916' first='Victoria' last='Valle']</strong>&nbsp;(Somerset Silver Palms)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221697' first='Peyton' last='Looky']</strong>&nbsp;(Cypress Bay)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jim'Miyah Branton</strong>&nbsp;(SLAM! Miami Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='515779' first='Joelle' last='Wilson']</strong> (Miami Sr. HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Third Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Vivian Iwuchuckwu&nbsp;</strong>(Montverde Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219942' first='Reina' last='Green']&nbsp;</strong>(St. Thomas Aquinas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='243926' first='Jordan' last='Race']&nbsp;</strong>(Kings Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Emma Smith&nbsp;</strong>(St. Andrews)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146970' first='Sofia' last='Travieso'] </strong>(Carrolton School) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>JV All-Tournament Team&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Maddison Londono&nbsp;</strong>(SLAM! Miami)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Franchezka Gorritz&nbsp;</strong>(St. Thomas Aquinas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Alexa Schorra&nbsp;</strong>(Batavia) – IL&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221636' first='Alexia' last='Tatum']&nbsp;</strong>(Doral Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jamir Cook </strong>(Miami Sr. HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Michael Wholey 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 WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->