Florida News - August 2023 | Prep Girls Hoops

By Michael Wholey 8/29/23 6:00 PM EST   There has been a lot going on over the spring and summer with coach and player movement.  Here are some of the top moving pieces.        **Coaching Changes**   Frank Oliver to IMG Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/08/IMG_3642.jpg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-751505" style="width:199px;height:249px" width="199" height="249" /></figure>   Frank Oliver has been one of the top coaches in the DMV for a long time going back to making a long run with HD Woodson with McDonald's All-American Ronika Ransford and most recently reviving Bishop McNamara into a national contender.  Oliver arrives at IMG Academy with the keys to one of the top brands in the country.  He has already begun adding pieces to the puzzle with Amaia Jackson and Leah Harmon announcing their transfer to IMG with likely more en route and a consistent pathway to some of top players in DMV and the east coast.  Look for IMG Academy to be a consistent top 25 national program and make a run for a spot at the Geico National Championship.      Eduardo Soto to Southeastern Prep Academy   Soto led Faith Christian Academy two years ago turning them into one of top teams in the state and has been working the sidelines on the travel circuit with CFE, Team Knight, and others.  He brings his winning ways to Southeastern Prep Academy, look for SEPA to play fast paced, up tempo, and aggressive full court defense.         Matt Shewmake to Montverde Academy   Shewmake takes over the back-to-back national champions after leading The Webb School (TN) the last few years, leading them to a 91-11 record over the last 3 seasons and 3 consecutive Tennessee state championships. Prior to taking over at Webb, Shewmake roamed the collegiate sidelines for University of California Riverside, Northwest Florida State, Cal State Fullerton, Middle Tennessee State, and Virginia Commonwealth University.     Ben Drummer to Miami Southridge High School   Coach Drummer has been a staple on the South Florida high school scene roaming the sidelines for several programs including Keys Gate and Somerset Academy as well as serving in several roles with the [program_tooltip program_id='713522' first='Miami' last='Suns'] on the EYBL circuit. Drummers teams are known for playing in space, being deadly from the 3-point line letting it fly from deep and often being young and talented. Drummer makes the move to Miami Southridge, looking to revive the program and make them one of the top programs in Dade County.     **Transfers**   [player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Eris' last='Lester'] – Orange Park to Montverde Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/08/IMG_8E44373400DF-1.jpeg?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-751504" style="width:155px;height:194px" width="155" height="194" /></figure>     Lester is a high-profile transfer making the move from Orange Park HS to Montverde Academy for her Senior season.  Lester is considered one of the top prospects in the country and brings her high-flying act to Montverde in hopes of helping them win a third consecutive national championship.        [player_tooltip player_id='409186' first='Holland' last='Harris'] – Faith Christian Academy to Montverde Academy   Harris joins Lester at Montverde Academy after leading Faith Christian Academy to a state championship with major performances in Lakeland and following that up with a stellar travel season with [program_tooltip program_id='713590' first='FGB' last=''].  Harris has picked up offers from the who's who of some of the top collegiate basketball programs in the country.   The versatile wing/forward is a matchup nightmare who is a high level scorer that can play inside and out.      Amaia Jackson – Bishop Kearney (NY) to Montverde Academy   One of New York's top players is on the move to Florida to suit up for the defending back-to-back national champions joining [player_tooltip player_id='331745' first='Eris' last='Lester'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409186' first='Holland' last='Harris']. Jackson is a quick, aggressive, active guard who is a two-way player with a high motor! She attacks the rim fearlessly off the bounce and is extremely active on the defensive end of the floor, running through passing lanes and pressuring the ball.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/jRvecHPaH9M?si=YT8j0a2ys67JuVVh </div></figure>     Leah Harmon – Sidwell Friends (MD/DC) to IMG Academy *University of Miami   Harmon, a University of Miami verbal commit makes the trek from Maryland to Florida for her Senior season where she will suit it up for IMG Academy and their new coach Frank Oliver.  Harmon and Oliver are no strangers to one another as they had quite a few battles when Sidwell Friends and Bishop McNamara faced off over the years.  Harmon is a skilled, prolific scorer with a strong build who fills up the stat sheet and is dangerous from all spots on the court with the ball in her hands.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/UDbEXV42ztU?si=Yo9utPLlF7SwYv6- </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='852079' first='Tahj' last='Bloom'] – Grayslake (IL) to [program_tooltip program_id='712489' first='DME' last=''] Academy *Mississippi State   Bloom makes the move from Chicago to Daytona Beach to suit up for [program_tooltip program_id='712489' first='DME' last=''] Academy for her Senior season.  The 6'3 Forward is a recent verbal commit to Mississippi State and was one of the most dominant front court players on the travel circuit for Mac Irvin Fire.   She is extremely mobile for her size and can play inside and out, showcasing her ability to finish in the paint and score playing face up with 15 feet range.      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.

By Michael Wholey 8/29/23 6:00 PM EST