Special Performances by First Coast Underclassmen
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In this article, we look at the special performances that these players had during the final week of the regular season. Alanna Tatum Alanna Tatum 5'6" | PG University Christian | 2026 State FL / 2026 / 5’7 PG /…
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Continue ReadingIn this article, we look at the special performances that these players had during the final week of the regular season.
Alanna Tatum Alanna Tatum 5'6" | PG University Christian | 2026 State FL / 2026 / 5’7 PG / University Christian
The Freshman Tatum had one of the biggest weeks of anyone on the First Coast this season and possibly her performance would stack up against any other player in the state. Tatum and her team went head to head with Taliah Scott Taliah Scott 5'8" | SG St. John's Country Day | 2023 State #31 Nation FL and walked away with the W. In that game, Scott did her usual thing, but a lot of eyes in the gym were on the Freshman Tatum, who finished with 30 points in an amazing eye-opening performance. Tatum also accounted for other scores on assists to her teammates (usually to her 7th-grade sisters, Londyn and Kennedi). You forget that Tatum is only in the 9th grade because she was on the scene last year as a special 8th-grade player. As an 8th grader, she made major contributions to a team that made it all the way to the State in Class 2A. This year’s version of Tatum is twice as good and has a lot of responsibility on her plate. Scoring, ball handling, playmaking, defensive pressure, and defending the opposing team’s best player. Also season, the Freshman guard has been sensational. The final two weeks of the season, she was better than sensational.
Abby Knauff Abby Knauff 5'9" | SG Bolles | 2025 State FL /2025 / 5’9 SG / Bolles
I saw Knauff (cover photo) in person last week and as usual, was blown away by her basketball abilities. I watched the game tape and was blown away by her basketball I Q. She takes advantage of the smallest mistake by the defense and she is into her shooting motion so quickly that even good defense is too late. Knauff is an elite and prime-time scorer who takes advantage of every opportunity to put the ball in the basket. Last week Knauff put the ball in the basket from every level on the court. In the two games, she knocked down 11 threes, scoring 24 against Mandarin and 31 one night later against NFEI.
Evelyn Freeman Evelyn Freeman 5'8" | PG Bolles | 2026 State FL / 2026 / 5’7 SG / Bolles
Freeman was really impressive last week running the point guard position. The Freshman’s basketball IQ is special and she makes great reads on the floor. Freeman can recognize when she has a team and her defender is at a disadvantage, and she can make a defense pay. She has the quicks to get by her defender and can do so on both sides of the basket. The Freshman also moves well without the ball in her hands. Freeman also plays the passing lanes well on defense and does a good job getting steals. She plays her defensive assignments well and also shines in transition.
Presley Norman / 2027 / 5’8 SG / Bolles
What Norman is doing on the court is really impressive. As an 8th grader, she is going against high school Junior and Seniors and having an impact on the game. Against Mandarin, Norman made some big shouts to slow down a comeback attempt. The 8th grader scored 12 against Mandarin and came back the next night with 10 against NFEI. Pressley can shoot the midrange and can knock done the three-pointer.
Londyn Tatum Londyn Tatum 5'6" | SG FL / 2028 / 5’8 SG / University Christian #11
Tatum has been very special all year long and as a 7th grader, it’s just an impressive feat. Londyn knocked down a three, played great defense, and was good in transition against a talented Bolles team. The moment was not too big for the talented Freshman who made key play after key play on both sides of the ball.
Kennedi Tatum Kennedi Tatum 5'6" | SG FL / 2028 / 5’8 SG / University Christian #1
Tatum came to play last week and you would never know she was a 7th grader on Varsity. Against Bolles, Tatum was aggressive on both ends of the court. The young Tatum has lightening quick hands On one play, the young Tatum ripped the ball from the opponent and took it back “coast to coast.” Tatum also did a good job of scoring in transition and off of dribble penetrations. Like her sister, the moment was not too big for the 7th grader and their composure on the court was just as impressive as their stellar play.
Londyn and Kennedi Tatum Kennedi Tatum 5'6" | SG FL are two-thirds of triplets. The third part of the trio is Erin who can also be seen on the same court as her three sisters, usually during time-outs when she and her fellow cheerleaders take the floor.