Who were the Top Shooters at the Tampa Bay Invitational?
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By Michael Wholey 1/3/23 7:00 PM EST The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational wrapped up this weekend hosting 100+ teams from all over the country. With over 100 teams in attendance, there were a ton of talented teams and players in…
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Continue ReadingBy Michael Wholey 1/3/23 7:00 PM EST
The Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational wrapped up this weekend hosting 100+ teams from all over the country. With over 100 teams in attendance, there were a ton of talented teams and players in the gym both from Florida and out of state. We will break down the event all week. In this take, we break down who were the top shooters in the gym.
Julia Miller Julia Miller 5'6" | CG Plant | 2023 State FL (HB Plant HS) – 5’6 Guard– Class of 2023
Miller has a quick release, gets her feet set, uses her lower body well in her shoot and shoots a high percentage from 3. HB Plant has continued success over the years and Miller has been an integral part of their team’s success. Her high percentage shooting helps space the floor, opening up penetration lanes for her teammates and creating more penetrate and kick situations putting defenses in challenge situations whether to play help defense or stay at home. HB Plant took home the championship this weekend and Miller perimeter shooting was definitely a contributor to the teams 3 consecutive victories.
Briana Rivera Briana Rivera 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL (Lake Highland Prep) – 5’7 Guard – Class of 2024
Shooter! Shooter! Shooter! In my opinion, Rivera is the # 1 shooter in the state of Florida. She is in her range the second she crosses half court and will let it fly quickly and often. On a talented Lake Highland Prep team with a lot of athleticism, talent and scoring ability, Rivera keeps teams honest and can change a game around in a blink of an eye knocking down 3-5 3-pointers in a row sparking offensive runs by herself. The class of 2024 prospect will be a coveted prospect by any college program that wants to space the floor and needs a shooter!
Nicole Carreno Nicole Carreno 5'10" | SF Seffner Christian | 2024 State FL (Seffner Christian) – 6’0 Guard / Wing – Class of 2024
I popped over to Seffner Christian’s game in day 3 and my seat had not even gotten work and Carreno took her team from down two points to up seven, going on a mini 9-0 run herself knocking down three 3-pointers in a row and electrifying the crowd and her teammates. Her big, strong build and her 6’0 frame allow her to shoot over defenders and she uses her lower body well and really gets her legs into her shot.
Janessa Kelley Janessa Kelley 5'9" | SG Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL (Blanche Ely) – 5’9 Guard – Class of 2024
Kelley is a lefty sniper who is deadly in penetrate and kick situations from the corner and the wing. Ely took home the championship and Kelley took home the MVP as she was the teams leading scorer and put up double digit points in all 3 games, consistently knocking down multiple 3s in each game.
Adaya Montalvo Adaya Montalvo 5'8" | CG SLAM! (Miami) | 2025 State FL (SLAM! Miami) – 5’7 Guard – Class of 2025
Montalvo looked really good this weekend, showcasing her strong build, smooth stroke and high percentage shooting from 3. SLAM! is filled with athletes and penetrators and Montalvo stays ready to catch and shoot from 3, benefitting from her quick and athletic teammates that attack off the dribble and get into the paint often and like to push the tempo.
Jocelyn Gagnon Jocelyn Gagnon 5'10" | SF Somerset Prep North Lauderdale | 2024 State FL (Somerset Prep) – 5’11 Wing – Class of 2024
Gagnon is one of the state’s top shooters because she shoots a high percentage. At 5’11, she is able to get her shot off over defenders due to her height and release point. Somerset Prep has a vast amount of talent across several players of classes but Gagnon is extremely important to the team’s success as she is depended to be a double digit scorer night in and night out.
Abby Price Abby Price 5'11" | SG Westminster Academy | 2025 State FL (Westminster Academy) – 5’10 Guard – Class of 2025
Price is the third option on a team full of talented, young perimeter players. With two uber athletic, penetration guards in teammates Markeli Jones-Tynes Markeli Jones-Tynes 5'9" | PG Westminster Academy | 2025 State FL and Lena Girardi Lena Girardi 5'10" | SF IMG Academy | 2025 State FL , Price consistently has catch and shoot opportunities created for her where she has time and space. When Price is locked in and shooting a high percentage, Westminster Academy is almost impossible to beat.
Madelyn Leslie Madelyn Leslie 5'10" | SG Gulf Coast | 2023 State FL (Gulf Coast) – 5’11 Guard / Wing – Class of 2023 – University of Tampa
Leslie is depended on Gulf Coast to be the team’s leading scorer night in and night out and she must go for 15-20 points for her team to have a chance at beating high level teams. Leslie has great size and shoots a high percentage from the wing and the corner on catch and shoot opportunities.
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 WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.