Day One Top Individual Performances at New Years Classic

By Michael Wholey 1/7/23 12:00 PM EST   With Day 1 in the books and day 2 underway at the 2023 New Years Classic, we look at the top individual performances from day one. The 40-team event has consistently been one of the top high school events in Florida and is hosts four of last year's state champions, ten teams that are ranked in the top fifty in the state and the current # 1 team in the country Montverde Academy.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7690-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-578777" width="223" height="297" /></figure>     It was a tale of two halves for Westminster Academy's Sophomore backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id='243895' first='Lena' last='Girardi'] (the current # 1 ranked prospect in the class of 2025 in the state of Florida) dropped 21 points in the first half. Girardi was extremely efficient on the offensive end, using her strong frame to attack the basket and get into the paint finishing vs contact. Girardi shoot over 50% from the field in the first half, finishing at the rim on balance and getting to the free throw often. In the second half Girardi was held scoreless and got into foul trouble, and it was [player_tooltip player_id='221649' first='Markeli' last='Jones-Tynes'] who picked up the slack. Jones -Tynes went for 15 points in the second half and helped fend off a comeback by Miami Sr. High School. An athletic, strong combo guard, she scored a majority of her points in transition and attacking vs pressure. At 5'9, she was one of the most talented guards in the state and has major potential! The tag team effort was instrumental in Westminster Academy defeating Miami Sr. HS 41-34.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_1654.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-578778" width="221" height="295" /></figure>       Palmetto was too much for Cypress Bay defeating them 56-30 but that didn't stop Junior [player_tooltip player_id='221697' first='Peyton' last='Looky'] from doing anything she could to keep her team in the game. Looky scored 26 of her teams 30 points and got it done in a variety of ways. Looky, a high percentage 3-point shooter, got hot from the outside but mixed in attacking off the dribble and getting to the rim. She is a skilled guard, who can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways and is instrumental in Cypress Bay having a chance to win games.       <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7694-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-578780" width="238" height="318" /></figure>     Brooke Carlson from Batavia High School out of Illinois has become one of my favorite players to watch having scene her on the EYBL circuit with Midwest Elite and each of the last two years at New Year's Classic. Carlson led Batavia to a 60-52 win, dropping 25 points. The dynamic guard was the teams main ballhandler and playmaker navigating the opposing teams defense knifing through traffic. The class of 2024 prospect is a coach's dream. She has had several of the top individual performances in each of the last years New Years Classic displaying shifty moves, excellent ballhandling and a consistent ability to score the basketball.         <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7704-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-578781" width="285" height="380" /></figure>         In the end # 1 team in the country Montverde Academy was just too much for Miami Country Day defeating them 69-39. But within a tough matchup, 6'1 Forward Kayla Nelms drew most of the attention from Montverde Academy defense and despite having up 2-6 inches she scored 26 Points playing inside and out. A 3-point threat, Nelms knocked down several from the top of the key and then used her ability to put the ball to the floor, attacking off the bounce and getting to the rim finishing in the paint. In a game where there were 10+ division one college prospects, Nelms shined and proved she belonged on the stage.       <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/DA83D10D-490C-46F4-BE9D-A95478B9C679.jpg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-578789" width="205" height="364" /></figure>       The final game of the night resulted in the home team St. Thomas Aquinas defeating Horeb Christian 77-42. The game featured several impressive individual performances on both sides. In the defeat, Junior Wing/Forward [player_tooltip player_id='572864' first='Emely' last='Rodriguez'] showcased why she is one the country's biggest stock risers dropping 34 Points. Rodriguez started off the game with an impressive step back from the perimeter and continued throughout the night to show a raw offensive talent and overall offensive skillset that is at an elite level. Rodriguez did it all for Horeb Christian accounting for 34 of her teams 42 points and did it off the catch, off the dribble, from the outside, in the interior and everything in between.         <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/IMG_7713-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-578797" width="215" height="287" /></figure>     On the winning side, [player_tooltip player_id='91641' first='Karina' last='Gordon'] dropped a 30 piece for St. Thomas Aquinas. Gordon's offensive performance was steady and consistent throughout the night knocking several 3s, pulling up from mid-range from the 12 feet and attacking off the bounce. The East Carolina signee is a 2-way player who got after it equally as effective on the defensive end. In addition, her backcourt mate unsigned Senior [player_tooltip player_id='219942' first='Reina' last='Green'] scored 21 Points in the Raiders win. Green showed her ability to knock down open 3s from the corner, attack off the bounce and rebound from the perimeter position. She is an elite athlete with scoring ability.         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. 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. Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information. 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.

By Michael Wholey 1/7/23 12:00 PM EST