Previewing the 4A-5A Matchups in Lakeland
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By Michael Wholey 2/21/23 5:00 PM EST The 2023 FHSAA State Tournament starts this week, we take a look at the Class 4A-5A matchups in Lakeland. 4A Lake Highland Prep v Booker Booker is a bit of a dark house…
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Continue ReadingBy Michael Wholey 2/21/23 5:00 PM EST
The 2023 FHSAA State Tournament starts this week, we take a look at the Class 4A-5A matchups in Lakeland.
4A
Lake Highland Prep v Booker
Booker is a bit of a dark house in 4A, coming out of Sarasota using a balanced attack and relying on steady performances from multiple players and a solid defensive attack. Jakai Peterson Jakai Peterson 5'3" | PG Booker | 2024 State FL , Sariah Bradley, Leah DuBose, and Kymani Freeman account for most of their offensive they go 10 deep getting contributions from all. Lake Highland Prep on the other hand is the 4A favorite, proving to be one of the best teams in Florida all season, playing a challenging schedule and showcasing a deep and talented roster. Eleecia Carter Eleecia Carter 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2023 State FL led them in scoring but they have six players capable of going for double digits+ any given night. If not Carter, Lexi Blue Lexi Blue 6'1" | SF Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL , Jada Eads Jada Eads 5'6" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL , Bri Rivera, Arianna Woodard Arianna Woodard 5'10" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2025 State FL , and Camila Depool are all skilled and capable offensive players that make LHP very hard to gameplan against because you can’t just take 1-2 players out of the game.
Bishop Kenny v Cardinal Gibbons
Bishop Kenny heads to Lakeland with a 29-1 record, having last lost in November to Westminster Academy. They are one of the most well-balanced offensive teams that do a great job spreading the floor and sharing the ball. Sophia Rueppell Sophia Rueppell 5'9" | PG Bishop Kenny | 2023 State FL , Clare Coyle Clare Coyle 6'1" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2024 State FL , Riley Talbert Riley Talbert 5'9" | SG Bishop Kenny HS | 2024 State FL , and Sydney Roundtree Sydney Roundtree 6'0" | PF Bishop Kenny | 2024 State FL are all skilled offensive players who can shoot the ball. They are a bit short handed in the front court with Coyle basically being their only inside presence but they can shoot it from the outside just as good as any team in the country. Cardinal Gibbons has been playing some great basketball all season and also rely on an extremely well-balanced attack as well. They have seven players averaging 7 points or more per game with Brooke Buckman Brooke Buckman 5'10" | PF State FL leading the on the season in both points (16.6) and rebounds (12.2). Her supporting cast of Konstantina Mantziori, Jordan Kosoy Jordan Kosoy 5'7" | PG Cardinal Gibbons | 2024 State FL , Taylor Williams, Kayla Greyvensteyn Kayla Greyvensteyn SF Cardinal Gibbons | 2025 FL , Teagan Wakefield Teagan Wakefield 5'8" | SG Cardinal Gibbons | 2025 State FL , and Savanna Nicholson Savanna Nicholson 5'6" | PG Cardinal Gibbons | 2025 State FL all contribute night in and night out, some stepping up more than others depending on the matchup.
Prediction
Lake Highland Prep is the most talented team in 4A by far. I think the depth, athleticism and scoring ability of Eleecia Carter Eleecia Carter 5'7" | CG Lake Highland Prep | 2023 State FL , Lexi Blue Lexi Blue 6'1" | SF Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL , Jada Eads Jada Eads 5'6" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL , Bri Rivera, Arianna Woodard Arianna Woodard 5'10" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2025 State FL , and Camila Depool will be too much and look for Bri Rivera to have a big outside shooting performance in Lakeland knocking down 10+ 3-pointers in two games.
5A
American Heritage v Clearwater
American Heritage is the team to beat in 5A having won each of the last five state championships. They have a great mix of youth and of upper classmen with Freshman Jasleen Green Jasleen Green 5'9" | SF American Heritage (Plantation) | 2026 State FL and Teriyah McFadden Teriyah McFadden 5'5" | PG Dillard | 2026 State FL leading the way for the Patriots. Senior Mariah Mckenzie Mariah Mckenzie 5'8" | CG American Heritage Plantation | 2023 State FL gives them a steady upperclassmen presence while Dezuray McGill Dezuray McGill 6'2" | C American Heritage | 2025 State FL gives them mass and size in the front court. Clearwater took a big blow when they lost Liv Fuller Liv Fuller 5'10" | SF Clearwater | 2023 State FL for the season. It is up to sisters Senior Tatiyana Sturdivant and Sophomore Taina Sturdivant.The Tornadoes are capable of the upset, but it will be a tall task as the Patriots have had experience and success in Lakeland.
Mainland v Gateway
Mainland bounced back from a five-game losing streak in January, riding a five game winning streak heading to Lakeland. Junior Anovia Sheals Anovia Sheals 5'11" | SF Mainland | 2024 State FL is their teams go to player averaging 19.7 points per game while Senior Jordan Boddie Jordan Boddie 5'9" | CG Lake Mary | 2023 State FL (11.5 PPG) and Junior Tia Dobson Tia Dobson 5'5" | PG Mainland | 2024 State FL (10.2 PPG). On the other side Gateway Malayna Stevenson Malayna Stevenson 5'11" | SF Gateway | 2024 State FL is averaging 19 points per game shooting nearly 60% from the field and is 4th in the state in free throws made and Vanessa Diaz Vanessa Diaz 5'5" | PG Gateway | 2023 State FL (16.2) are the teams go to scorers while Freshman Alyssa Marino is the team’s floor general running the point guard position and getting the team in to their offense.
Prediction
Prediction here is American Heritage keeps their state championship steak going. Their balanced offensive attack with strong inside presence is likely too much for the rest of 5A and their Freshman backcourt of Jasleen Green Jasleen Green 5'9" | SF American Heritage (Plantation) | 2026 State FL and Teriyah McFadden Teriyah McFadden 5'5" | PG Dillard | 2026 State FL will have big performances.
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.