Top Performers in the Ponte Vedra- Bloomingdale 6A Semifinals
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So many talented players were on the court during the Semifinal game between Ponte Vedra and undefeated Bloomingdale. Bloomingdale pulled out the victory by a score of 55 to 50, but had to sweat this one out. Ponte Vedra started…
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Continue ReadingSo many talented players were on the court during the Semifinal game between Ponte Vedra and undefeated Bloomingdale. Bloomingdale pulled out the victory by a score of 55 to 50, but had to sweat this one out. Ponte Vedra started the game out with a sizeable lead, but by the end of the second quarter, Bloomingdale had cut the lead to one. Bloomingdale took it’s first lead midway in the third quarter, but Ponte Vedra quickly got the lead back. Fast forward to the 4th quarter and Ponte Vedra found itself trailing by five points. The Sharks came very close to tying the game, but Bloomingdale was able to hold them off. In this article, we look at the players who stood out in this exciting 6A Semifinal game.
Noelle Mengel Noelle Mengel 5’9″ | PG Bloomingdale | 2025 State FL was the the MVP of the game and she needed every ounce of her talent to pull this one out. Mengel showed the skillset with a arary of shots: the patented step back jump shot, the floater, the ball handling, and the scoring ability. Mengel has a high basketball IQ and it was on display all game long. Mengel made it a point to get draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. She was poised on the floor and methodically went about her business on the court. Mengel knows how to score the ball and down the stretch, she was clutch. The
Maya Richards Maya Richards 5’9″ | SG Ponte Vedra | 2024 State FL was a standout in the 6A semifinals and has been a top performer throughout the high school playoffs. Richard’s intangibles separate her from a lot of prospects. Heart is the main characteristic she has. She matches up often with power forwards and centers who have height and weight advantages. Richards faced that against Z Kendrick of Bloomingdale and fared well in the contest, finishing with a team high 14 points and 4 rebounds. Richards took charges on the defensive end and was a consistent driver on the offensive end. Her quickness and elusiveness was a problem for Bloomingdale and kept Kendrick in foul trouble for most of the game.
Taylor Perce Taylor Perce 5’10” | SG Ponte Vedra | 2024 State FL was a standout in the 6A game and was in the running for player of the game with her overall play. Perce started out very agressive and shot it well early in the contest. In crunch time, she was poised and confident and made play after play to keep her team within reach of winning the game. Perce’s ability to play at guard or the forward was on display, especially on the defensive end. She played on the wing, but occasionally mixed it up in the paint. She rebounded well, shot the three well, and had some good steals and conversions in the paint.
Breah Usry Breah Usry 5’4″ | SG Ponte Vedra HS | 2025 State FL was a key player in the Semifinals as she was this past basketball season. Usry was arguably the most athletic player on the court. It showed up on her defense, her penetrations to the rim, and her speed and movement on the floor. Usry scored 9 points and played well on both ends of the floor. She will be a focal point for next season.
Highlights
Jatia Markes Jatia Markes 5’6″ | SF Bloomingdale | 2025 State FL had an impact on the game and some things she did will not show up on the scorsheet. Markes provided a spark in the second half with some face break buckets along with 2 to 3 assists. All of her contributions were predicated on her speed on the court which was impressive. Markes played good defense and kept her opponent from getting to the rim and breaking the defense down.
Highlights
Izellah Kendrick Izellah Kendrick 6’2″ | C Bloomingdale | 2025 State FL got in early foul trouble, but when it was all said and done she was a big factor in the game, finishing with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kendricks is one of the toughest players in the post and down the stretch, her offensive rebounds and putbacks were impactful. She was also crafty at making herself open, catching the pass at the perfect time, and converting the layup, escpecially down the stretch..