Junior and Sophomore Guard Standouts in Regional Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, the State playoffs brackets are set and many of the players in this article are playing in Lakeland this week. In this article, we look at players who played significant roles in the Regional Playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248348' first='Riley' last='Talbert'] / 2025 5'9 SG / Bishop Kenny</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talbert is not flashy but is a very consistent and high-IQ player. Talbert just makes the right reads and plays like the coach on the floor. She shoots when she needs to and she sets up her team's main shooters throughout the game. Talbert can also get her shots. She has a nice three-point shot and if you close out too fast, she can hit you with an effective midrange shot. Talbert does a good job of handling the ball as well. As usual, she was steady in the Regional Playoffs. Talbert's team is back to Lakeland and she is one of the reasons why. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='495957' first='Kayla' last='Massey'] / 2024 / 5'4 PG / Ribault</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massey impressed as much in defeat as she has in victories during her game against Regional Champion Bishop Kenny. Down by 22 points, the junior guard continued to battle and put several BK players in early foul trouble. Massey continued to get to the rack and make trips to the free-throw line. The junior guard can handle the ball, she plays tough on-ball defense, and is very good in transition. Massey led the Trojans with close to 20 points in defeat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Janease Bender / 2024 / 5 '8 SG / Oakleaf</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bender showed a well-rounded game in the Regional Finals. She has a nice midrange game and made a nice turnaround in the middle. Bender is very athletic and it stands out on the court. She runs the floor well and rebounds well from the guard and small forward positions. She plays her role well on the offensive end and plays good defense. In the Regional finals, Bender ran the floor well and made some nice passes to set up her teammates. In the Regional Semi-Finals, she scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Bender mixes it up in the paint and does a good job of player her role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='248555' first='Trista' last='Brown'] / 2025 / 5'6 SG / Oakleaf </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has played with great confidence this season and that will pay dividends next year when her two teammates graduate ([player_tooltip player_id='166160' first='Kaylah' last='Turner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='91660' first='Fantasia' last='James']). Brown can shoot from all levels on the court and is fearless. She ranks high in multiple team categories (points, threes, shots). Brown has played well and can really score the ball. Brown also can handle the ball and takes the pressure off of Turner when needed. Brown scored 10 points in the Regional Finals and 17 in the Regional Semi-Finals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='221643' first='Jaylin' last='Neder'] / 2025 / 5'7 SG / Land O' Lakes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neder was very electric in the Regional Finals. She was really impressive with her well-rounded offensive game. Neder can score on all three levels of the court. She can shoot from long range and is not afraid to get to the rim against elite defenders. The Sophomore played with great confidence in the Regional Finals and finished with some very respectable numbers: 21 points on 7 of 9 from the field, including 4 for 6 from behind the three-point line. She is also very athletic and flourishes in the open court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->