Abundant 2025 Guard Talent at The Sunshine Showdown: Part 2
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The outstanding guard list at the Sunshine Showdown was very impressive. As stated, we could not recognize the outstanding talent in one story, and not in just two stories either. In this article, we continue looking at more of the…
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Continue ReadingThe outstanding guard list at the Sunshine Showdown was very impressive. As stated, we could not recognize the outstanding talent in one story, and not in just two stories either. In this article, we continue looking at more of the 2025 guards who stood out.
Jaida Civil Jaida Civil 5’11” | PG Palm Bay | 2025 State FL (2025) had some great plays on the court, but let’s start with a play that ended off the court. Civil shot a three pointer from the left elbow and got her offensive rebound under the goal. Some kind of way the ball gets deflected and is heading to the adjacent court and Civil chases the ball down and grabs the ball. At this point she is at top speed and a team is sitting down waiting to play next. Civil jumps over the entire team who is sitting in a circle. One of the players looks up in amazement and asked, who was that. I calmly told, her that was Jaida Civil Jaida Civil 5’11” | PG Palm Bay | 2025 State FL . Civil did amazing things on the court as well. Her speed is crazy fast and she can get to the rim nearly at will. She had some nice mid range jumpers. Her step back three point shot was lethal all weekend and that shot is predicated on her speed and down-hill ability. She stressed the defense to the point that most players were relinquishing the three to avoid getting beat by the drive. Other aspects of Civil’s game that were eye opening were her rebounding and play making abilities. Defensively, Civil was strong on the ball. She also played the passing lanes very well where she utilized her speed and quickness to get steals and then something amazing afterwards.
Jim’Myah Branton Jim’Myah Branton 5’7″ | SG SLAM! (Miami) | 2025 State FL (2025) put in a grand performance at the Sunshine Showdown. Branton was majestic with the ball in her hand at the Sunshine Showdown. On the offensive, she does a good job of blending the drives, passes, and kick-outs to her teammates. Branton can attack from anywhere on the floor. She has a mean baseline floater that she can get off anytime she wants to. She does a good job of shooting in the midrange area and an occasional three. In transition Branton is special. She gets to the rim in a hurry and doesn’t need much separation to finish the break. She did a good job of distributing the ball to her bigs on the block (one who may be the best in the State) and passing to two of the top shooters in the State. Branton is a High IQ player with athleticism to go with it – a deadly combination and it was on display throughout the tournament.
Dianka Hardisson Dianka Hardisson 5’5″ | PG Somerset Academy Silver Palms | 2025 State FL (2025) had a really nice game and was crafty at getting to the rim and finishing. Her float game was also a killer. Hardison was tough in the midrange area and could just flat out shoot the ball. She was tough off of the dribble and off of the catch. She is a High IQ player and was dynamic in the pick and roll with her dominant center. She also did a good job of playing with her fellow guards on the floor – passing, getting open, help defense, etc.
Alahni Lovett Alahni Lovett 5’5″ | PG Lakewood | 2025 State FL (2025) was smooth and effective at the tournament. She is a high IQ and handles the ball well. She has the ability to get to the rim and also score in the midrange and behind the arc. She is definitely a three level scorer. Lovett played well in the offensive sets and was a force in the transition game.
Jayden Terry Jayden Terry 5’8″ | CG GHS – Gainesville | 2025 State FL (2025) consistently got into the teeth of defense and got points, freethrows, and got the opposition in foul trouble. Terry can shoot the midrange and the three-point shot and is a killer in the transition game with her finishes on the left and right.rnTerry loves to mix it up with the opponent, playing aggressive defense and taking a charge anytime the opportunity presents itself. She spends a lot of time picking herself off the floor.
Chardae Rumph Chardae Rumph 5’7″ | CG Blanche Ely | 2025 State FL was a smooth operator at the Sunshine Showdown. Rumph has great speed and really looked good on the floor: She ran well in transition- handling the ball or filling the lane; She shot the ball well, especially from behind the three point line; She displayed great court vision and a high basketball IQ; Rumph made very good decisions with the ball in her hands; and she really complimented the players she was playing with, especially her guard -counterpart Flowers. When we run a story on exciting guard tandems, Rumph and Flowers will have to be in the discussion.
Highlights
Ny’Keria Flowers Ny’Keria Flowers 5’3″ | PG Dillard | 2025 State FL is one smooth and crafty player, and she was a standout at the Showdown. Flowers is athletic, fast, and has great body control. She is also explosive off of her jumps. Her ability to change direction and counter what the defense is doing makes her a tough player to defend. Flowers can deliver from the midrange and on both sides of the rim. She is a high IQ player who plays with great instincts and an even greater determination to excel in her craft.