First Coast 2026s Creating a Shift in Perception

This Grassroots travel period has been exciting and rewarding, and one thing that has been apparent is the "uprise" going on in Duval and surrounding counties, aka the First Coast. The First Coast sent multiple teams to the State Championship in March and that was start of a shift in the State's perception of North Florida girls basketball. The shift and the perception have continued throughout the first half of the travel season with numerous quality teams, programs, and prospects representing the First Coast. In this article we recognize some of the top 2026 prospects who have been standouts in the first half of the travel season. Their play has warranted multiple college offers and interest.. Moreover, these prospects have played key roles in redefining girls basketball on the First Coast.      [player_tooltip player_id='400785' first='Audrey' last='Beyer'] has become one of the top prospects in the State of Florida. On the heels of a Final 4 appearance in Lakeland, Beyer has continued to solidify her place as instrumental figure in the rise of girls basketball in North Florida. Beyer is a bonafide scorer who can score at all levels on the court. She has a great understanding of how to score points and is physical enough to execute her scoring game plan . She shoots the three from great distance and can get to the rim. That versatility often outs defenses in binds Coaches marvel at her the game that has garnered a lot of attentionlength at the guard position is what makes her so much different than a lot of prospects in the 2026. Beyer has received multiple D-1 scholarship offers and undoubtedly there will be more to come.     [player_tooltip player_id='248551' first='Alanna' last='Tatum']'s name has been a hot topic of conversation throughout this early part of the travel season. Actually, Tatum has been a talked about since she stepped on the scene as a 6th grader. I once invited an AAU coach to come watch a few 8th graders play and the coach walked out blown away by the 6th grader on the court, [player_tooltip player_id='248551' first='Alanna' last='Tatum']. She has has caused that reaction from many since then- many were college coaches. Tatum started on Varsity as a ln 8th grader. A few years later as a Sophomore, Tatum returned to the Final 4 again, solidifying herself as arguably the top point guards prospects on the First Coast. She has a high basketball IQ and understands situational basketball. With these intangibles in her repertoire, it's an uphill climb for most opponents. Now factor in the tangibles- speed, physicality, the fearless attack to the basket, a defensive stopper, the killer midrange arsenal, and the float package and the picture becomes crystal clear. Tatum stands at the forefront when talking about current prospects who are changing the perception of high school basketball in North Florida.         [player_tooltip player_id='751625' first='Terrell' last='McCoy'] recently received an offer from Georgia and that's a huge statement about her ability, work ethic, college potential.    McCoy is the epitome of  power in the word power forward.  She plays with physicality and can dominate in the paint, especially on the offensive side of the floor.   McCoy has power, good  footwork and understands leverage very  well.  McCoy's recruitment to a power 5 school in the SEC supports the narrative that there is a shift in the perception of basketball in North Florida.         [player_tooltip player_id='514608' first='Evie' last='Freeman'] had a great Junior campaign. She was dominant in the state championship game, and even though her team came up on the losing end, she was exceptional. Freeman has a great motor on both ends of the floor. On offense, Freeman has an ability to get to the rim with quickness and purpose. Defensively, Freeman is dynamic on the ball and is one of the best help-side defenders in North Florida. Freeman has several offers and her recruitment is likely to be crazy down the stretch. Her recruitment adds to the growing pool of quality prospects on the First Coast and supports the claim that North Florida basketball is on the rise.       Kasey Davis is another 2026 prospect whose recruitment is just taking off. Davey has been a standout for Providence and has been a huge part of the school's rise as a viable State Championship contender every year. Davey recently received an offer and is part of the growing number of First Coast 2026 prospects receiving college offers. Things are starting to get serious and look for more offers to come. Davey can dominate on both ends of the floor.       [player_tooltip player_id='633529' first='Mia' last='Chandler'] has consistently been a player in the 2026 class who has garnered some college interest. Chandler adds to the list of Juniors on the First Coast making waves in the travel period. The summer leagues and Summer travel season will continue to be huge for Chandler. Her recruitment adds to the shift of the perception of North Florida basketball.     [player_tooltip player_id='514625' first='Sophia' last='Scibelli'] has been one of the hottest 2026 recruits in the State of Florida over the past few weeks. Scibelli's consistent play over the summer has led to numerous offers. Scibelli has shown an ability to score from multiple areas on the floor. Scibelli has flown under the radar for most of her high school career, but her Junior season followed by consistent play in the travel season has lead to multiple offers.

This Grassroots travel period has been exciting and rewarding, and one thing that has been apparent is the "uprise" going on in Duval and surrounding counties, aka the First Coast. The First Coast sent multiple teams to the State Championship in March and that was start of a shift in the State's perception of North Florida girls basketball. The shift and the perception have continued throughout the first half of the travel season with numerous quality teams, programs, and prospects representing the First Coast. In this article we recognize some of the top 2026 prospects who have been standouts in the first half of the travel season. Their play has warranted multiple college offers and interest.. Moreover, these prospects have played key roles in redefining girls basketball on the First Coast.