Big Picture Breakdown: Class 6A Girls Basketball Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Basketball season is upon us! Preseason action has started and the regular season will soon tip. Stay locked into PGH Florida with full coverage of teams and prospects from all over the Sunshine State.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Defending Champs: Bloomingdale</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulls completed a historic four-year run with a State Championship win over Southridge last season. They've won 25+ games the past four years and even had a 30-win season two years ago before losing to St. Thomas Aquinas in the title game. It was a special group last year that put them over the top, and six of their top seven scorers graduated and are now playing college ball. The other top scorer has transferred out, so Bloomingdale with be looking for their new identity with some returners and new faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Top Contenders</strong>:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Thomas Aquinas -</strong> This team is my <strong>bold</strong> prediction to take the 6A Title this year but they have stiff competition within their own area! They got bounced last year in the Region Semifinals in a crazy game to the eventual State Runners-Up, but they are now under new leadership and have added serious weapons to their few returners. Their top returners are [player_tooltip player_id='1092442' first='London' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='811411' first='Ronneisha' last='Thomas'] who did a lot of scoring and rebounding from the guard position last season. STA brings in two huge transfers with [player_tooltip player_id='1215794' first='Isabella' last='Sangha'] (<em>Notre Dame commit</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='248374' first='Catalina' last='LaFreniere']. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='514970' first='Laila' last='Barnett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1361790' first='Tyla' last='Mori'] coming into the fold. It might be a slow, learning process in the beginning to figure each other out at first - but once they get going, they'll be hard to beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nova -</strong> The Titans fell in the Region Finals to the eventual State Runners-Up as a part of the toughest region in the entire state which will be the case for that region again. The good news for Nova is they return their top four scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='216441' first='Jaelynn' last='Housey'] (<em>FAU commit</em>), [player_tooltip player_id='514969' first='Ke'Mora' last='Evans'], [player_tooltip player_id='514636' first='J'yan' last='Tyrell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='741735' first='Kimora' last='Exum']. Nova also brings in transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1232659' first='Ya'Niyah' last='Young'] who will help tremenously on the boards (8 rpg, 11 ppg last year). They will have to face STA again in that tough region, but this Titans starting five will be very tough. They'll be led by Jaelynn who was first in points, steals, assists, blocks, and second in rebounds last year for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tocoi Creek - </strong>The Toros reached the Final 4 last year and can definitely do it again with the return of their top three players - [player_tooltip player_id='400785' first='Audrey' last='Beyer'] (Coastal Carolina commit), [player_tooltip player_id='738971' first='Gabi' last='Iturralde'], and [player_tooltip player_id='400813' first='Asiana' last='McCreary']. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] coming in as one of the top Freshman in the state. I expect them to be the strongest team from the Jacksonville area in this classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bayside</strong> - The Bears lost one big senior to graduation but return all of their other top pieces as well as bringing in some massive transfers. [player_tooltip player_id='1219617' first='Emilia' last='Grant'] is their most significant returner as the leading scorer with 10.8 points per game and second leading rebounder with 6.6 boards per game. They also return the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1218462' first='Donia' last='Moaoui'], [player_tooltip player_id='1219108' first='Christina' last='Buigues'], [player_tooltip player_id='752584' first='Shamora' last='Scott'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1264231' first='Christiana' last='Patterson']. The Wallace sisters ([player_tooltip player_id='514519' first='Carleyssia' last='Wallace'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514524' first='Ellieyana' last='Wallace']) transferring in will make this team one of the most competitive teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Potential Sleeper(s)</strong>:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Niceville -</em> 21 wins last season and 24 wins the season before. Lost to Tocoi Creek by six in Elite 8. Will be led by Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1215719' first='Carson' last='Fayard'] (<em>Air Force commit</em>) and her 19.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg last year. Supporting cast of [player_tooltip player_id='1362589' first='Jazmyn' last='Fowler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1257558' first='Anabelle' last='Shackelford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1257554' first='RaMyan' last='Tripeaux'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1257559' first='Khamauri' last='Hardy'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Edgewater - </em>17 wins and lost in Sweet 16 last year. [player_tooltip player_id='470393' first='France' last='Garilus'] is a threat for a double-double every night. [player_tooltip player_id='1362594' first='Kaliyah' last='Simmons'], [player_tooltip player_id='1232623' first='Aniyah' last='Clark'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1362593' first='Tai' last='Haynes'] round out their top four and will be a strong group of upperclassmen to lead this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Martin County</em> - 22 wins last season. Leading scorer graduated, but they return [player_tooltip player_id='221610' first='Karolina' last='Ramirez'], [player_tooltip player_id='514535' first='Becca' last='Witt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1223165' first='Brianna' last='Valenza'], and [player_tooltip player_id='514532' first='Katelyn' last='Tanis']. Tall task being in the same region as STA and Nova.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Lakeland </em>- This one might look crazy to an outsider since the Dreadnaughts went 0-22 last season. But, they are under new leadership and brought in some serious transfers: [player_tooltip player_id='839225' first='Kennedy' last='Borders'], [player_tooltip player_id='748837' first='Taleah' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='873946' first='Zakharia' last='Rutledge'], [player_tooltip player_id='748838' first='Jade' last='Grier'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1219836' first='Natasha' last='Durand McClain'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Player in the Class:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215794"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a642f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletes like Isa don't come around often. Signing to play basketball and volleyball at a school like Notre Dame is just different. I expect her stats to take a dip since she's on a more talented team, but she's still a threat to notch a double-double each night. Isabella has so much size, length, and athleticism and her strength as a lefty makes her a nightmare on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Underclassmen:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912252"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a64349"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Naomi already has some hype around her game and she hasn't even officially touched a high school court. She's in a great situation to learn from some upperclassmen that have been there, done that. Her size, speed, and handles are going to elevate this Tocoi Creek team to the next level with all they return. It should be a really fun year for Naomi and the Toros!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514916"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6917942c9680e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caeli makes the mover over to Bartram Trail for year #2. Her length and ability to score and rebound the ball will be a welcome addition and show immediate impact for the Bears who have some nice guard-play and even more size now. There are some talented upperclassmen on this team that Caeli will be able to learn from and play alongside as she's expected to get some solid minutes this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Class 7A All-State:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216441"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a64394"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big, strong, physical guard. Gets to rim and mid-range game is tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.7 spg, 3.9 apg, 1.3 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215794"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a643da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elite athlete. First high school season competing against a really tough schedule but with a really tough team of her own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>27.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 spg, 1.3 bpg</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["400785"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a64420"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top shooters in the state. Should give Gabi/Naomi a lot of assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.6 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a64465"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reining State Champ. Will be big focal point on new team this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092442"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a644ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dynamic young guard. One of the best in the state and the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.9 apg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6915152a644f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big, strong, physical guard. Can put points up in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.7 spg, 3.1 apg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->