Junior Standout Forwards in District and Regionals
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In this article we look at some of the top forwards in the North Florida area. These players have shown versatility and great production in the District and Regional playoffs. Nykeria Thomas Nykeria Thomas 5'10" | CG Mandarin | 2024…
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Continue ReadingIn this article we look at some of the top forwards in the North Florida area. These players have shown versatility and great production in the District and Regional playoffs.
Nykeria Thomas Nykeria Thomas 5'10" | CG Mandarin | 2024 State FL / 5’10 SF / Mandarin
Of all the forwards on this list, Thomas has all the characteristics of a point forward. She has amazing open-court ball-handling skills and has the ability to make plays for herself and her teammates. In a set offense, her versatility pops out when she gets in the post. She a very effective back to the basket. She can get her shot off against anyone including centers. In the paint is where she does her damage and she has an array of shots down low. In the transition game, Thomas can find that crease and take it all the way. She can finish on either side of the goal, but most of the time it’s with the right. She has the ability to finish with regular layups and also reverse layups. During the playoffs, Thomas had some amazing performances including a 21-point performance in the 1st round of the Regional Playoffs.
Clare Coyle Clare Coyle 6'1" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2024 State FL / 6’1 PF / Bishop Kenny
In the Regional Playoffs Coyle was just dominant in the paint. Coyle set the tone against Ribault with power moves on the inside and scoring nearly double digits in the first quarter and finishing with 16 points. Coyle has great hands and can catch any pass in her vicinity and knows what to do with it. Her rebounding was strong as usual and she pulled down 8 rebounds against Ribault.
Sydney Roundtree Sydney Roundtree 6'0" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2024 State FL / 6’0 SF / Bishop Kenny
Roundtree took her game to another level and was just dominant in the Regional Semifinals. Roundtree got in the paint and was very effective in putting the ball in the basket in the painted area. Roundtree has some serious bounce on the court and it was eye-popping against Ribault. The Junior put in 14 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. In transition, she handled the ball and filled the lane. Her ball handling was excellent and she was used a lot on press breaks and taking the pressure off of the guards. Roundtree has been very good in the playoffs and her athleticism is jumping off the charts.
Yanija Lawson / 6’0 PF / Spruce Creek
Lawson was impressive in the first round of Regionals. She showed versatility by playing inside the paint and stepping behind the arc for two three-pointers. Lawson is very athletic and can also crash the boards. She was one rebound away from a double-double against Mandarin. Lawson was very good on defense showing again that she can defend in the paint and on the wing.
Nia Blocton Nia Blocton 6'0" | PF Ridgeview | 2024 State FL / 6’0 PF / Ridgeview
Blocton has been an outright force as she has led her team to a District Championship and 2 victories in the Regionals. Blocton recently put two consecutive performances together that are mind-boggling. She had s a 24-point – 15 rebound performance in the District Championship game and followed that up with a 22-point- 16 rebound performance in the open round of Regionals. Blocton is an unstoppable force in the middle and can score on both sides of the basket with her left and right. She extends offensive possessions with her relentless pursuit of the basketball. In transition, she runs the floor like a guard and she can also bring the ball up the court like a guard. Blocton has been a standout in the high school playoffs.