Breaking Down the Field: Class 4A 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: Palm Bay</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates won the 4A State Title last year by ten points and won 24 games throughout the season. They sent their four Seniors off to college (Led by Jaida Civil and Trishay Collins) as a team that's always been in the conversation and finally got it done by earning their rings. This team and program will look much different with a complete overhaul of the staff and the roster. I do expect them to be one of the better teams in their area!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Contenders:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Kenny</strong> - The Crusaders are a program with a high standard that have seen a lot of success. They lose a few seniors but return a bulk of their core from a 25-win team that was upset in the Region Final just one game before the State Tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='515064' first='Kathleen' last='Crawley'] is the top returner with a solid supporting cast of [player_tooltip player_id='515067' first='Makala' last='DesJarlais'], [player_tooltip player_id='400811' first='Elle' last='Deegan'], [player_tooltip player_id='721486' first='Amaya' last='Canady'], and [player_tooltip player_id='741734' first='Sienna' last='Williams']. BK also adds [player_tooltip player_id='1100922' first='Keeley' last='Mosley'] via transfer and incoming Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1261851' first='Shea' last='Donovan']. They'll be my <strong>bold</strong> prediction to win 4A this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Moore </strong>- The Hornets had a lot of young talent on a roster that returns a good chuck from their 13 wins last year. [player_tooltip player_id='727591' first='Jaiden' last='Peterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514612' first='Alex' last='Wolsonovich'] will anchor the backcourt alongside some veteran players like [player_tooltip player_id='1232625' first='Kaitlyn' last='McBride'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1379346' first='Jayonna' last='Lewis']. The difference this year will be how the Underclassmen play on their roster with serious length and size: [player_tooltip player_id='248380' first='Aaliyah' last='Figueroa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235067' first='Malayah' last='Rypien'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235154' first='Lillian' last='Mathis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1274389' first='Gabrielle' last='Palubin'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mater Lakes </strong>- The Bears lost in the Elite 8 last year but return their top 3 players with [player_tooltip player_id='221627' first='Vanessa' last='VanCott'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379500' first='Alessandra' last='Wandembergh'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1379501' first='Lorena' last='Fernandez']. They also bring in transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1154000' first='Taryn' last='Wakefield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514971' first='Giselle' last='Grant'] that will make an immediate impact on this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Booker</strong> - The Tornadoes won 20 games last season on their way to Lakeland before losing to the eventual State Champions. They lose a couple of their best guards but return a good chunk and add some transfer pieces. [player_tooltip player_id='728921' first='Yvette' last='Brown'] will set the tone, [player_tooltip player_id='243909' first='Kennedy' last='Guy'] will knock down shots, and [player_tooltip player_id='666878' first='Marayah' last='Stuart'] will compliment these returners in a positive fashion. Transfers [player_tooltip player_id='973909' first='Lillianna' last='Morris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379507' first='Kiari' last='Lewis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1379508' first='Kayla' last='Simon'] will all add a lot to this team that I expect to make some serious noise in 4A out of SWFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Sleepers:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeSoto County</strong> - The Bulldogs won 21 games last year, but they unfortunately have Booker in their Region. Don't lose anyone to graduation, so [player_tooltip player_id='463719' first='Yahri' last='Tyler'], [player_tooltip player_id='873422' first='Cherish' last='Wiggins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1379511' first='Janeris' last='Bing'] will lead the way for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Heritage</strong> (Plantation) - They lose four players to graduation and transfer, but this is a team that has solid chemistry and was impressive in June. Watch out for [player_tooltip player_id='221593' first='Yinuo' last='Wang'] and [player_tooltip player_id='515003' first='Isabella' last='Aloisio'] to step into expanded roles for the Patriots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Best Player in the Class:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["463719"],"_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-691e3ccf5ac1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are some really talented 27's/28's in this classification, but I have to give the edge to the Senior. Yahri's size, length, and athleticism make her so dynamic. She's a double-double machine that controls the paint and elevates so quickly. Between her and [player_tooltip player_id='873422' first='Cherish' last='Wiggins'], DeSoto will once against be one of the top teams in SWFL this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Breakout Underclassman:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1261851"],"_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-691e3ccf5ac96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shea is one of the top Freshman in the state. Her athleticism, vision, and unseflishness make her one of the toughest facilitators in North Florida. She will have shooters on both sides of her at all times at BK, so I expect her to be a major contributor on a team that should contend for a title in their hometown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Class 4A All-State:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221598"],"_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-691e00ddc26b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletic scorer and hard-nosed defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["515064"],"_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-691e00ddc271b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shooter! Good size, frame, and made a name for herself this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 ppg, 4.4 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":["463719"],"_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-691e00ddc2768"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long, athletic forward that can dominate a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2 spg, 1 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727591"],"_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-691e00ddc27b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shifty, crafty PG that can score it and dish it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.5 spg, 3.1 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221627"],"_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-691e00ddc27f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">High-level scorer with versatility on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>31.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.6 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["728921"],"_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-691e394d487ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tough, competitive lead guard that is a game changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.8 spg, 2.3 apg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->