Preseason Notes: Underclassmen Ready “Right Now”

The Veteran players came to play during the preseason tournament and really set the stage for an exciting season, but the stage didn't just belong to the veterans—the young guns made real noise, proving they're impact players "right now" and are not just names for the future. Across the rosters of Tocoi, Bolles, Bartram, and especially on Ponte Vedra, underclassmen stepped onto the scene, showcased skill, confidence, and poise, and made it clear that the area's next wave of talent is already here and ready - RIGHT NOW!    [player_tooltip player_id='708144' first='Jocelyn' last='Hoffmann'] continued her impressive play during the Preseason Tournament at Tocoi Creek. Her basketball IQ is elite, and she ran the point with poise and purpose all tournament long. She attacked the rim with confidence, knocked down threes at a high clip, and elevated the players around her (this year, she has plenty of weapons). After seeing Hoffmann and team throughout the summer, fall, and preseason, it's clear that they have taken a major step forward. They made the loudest noise of preseason with Hoffmann's play was the lead voice—steady, sharp, and commanding. The young guard also used her “nose” to lead her team. She caught an elbow and had to be removed from the game. She came back with a vengeance. In this event, Hoffmann showed total control and once again proved she is the point guard of the future on the First Coast.     [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] quietly showed why she's such a promising young guard. She didn't dominate, but she proved she can play both the one and the two effectively. She got to the rim going left and right, finished through traffic, and showed a beautiful pull-up jumper—plus a few clean makes from behind the arc. Gill's upside is off the charts. She's already good and she's going to get even better. The young and versatile guard is poised to have a special season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1249017' first='Angelina' last='Laudicina'] showcased the kind of high IQ and versatility that immediately grabs attention. What makes her special is her ability to make instant, correct decisions in the flow of the game. She knocked down multiple threes, flashed creativity in transition, and even broke out a little “Houdini” ball fake into a smooth finish at the rim. She's poised, instinctive, and already looks like a player you can trust with the ball. She knocked down several threes and was an efficient scorer at all levels on the court.     [player_tooltip player_id='1308934' first='Kaitlyn' last='Farr'] was exactly as advertised. She made smart shot selections, showcased her clean mechanics, and showed an ability to create her own looks. She never forced anything during the preseason tournament. She took the open shot, ripped into the mid-range with purpose, and used her change of direction to keep defenders guessing. Farr showed a nice shooting touch at all levels of the court, smooth footwork, and a versatile scoring package that made her one of the most skilled players in the showcase. She also rebounded well and played well on the defensive end. She is the player who helped make Tocoi an even more dangerous team than they were last season.       [player_tooltip player_id='1363115' first='Chloe' last='Spencer-Gardner'] displayed energy and a basketball IQ that jumped off the floor. She made several smart cuts, moved without the ball, and consistently made winning decisions. She plays an exciting and energetic style game with ball IQ wrapped around it. She shoots without hesitation, competes on every possession, and plays far beyond her age. Her ability to space the floor, score when open, and play in sync with teammates was very impressive - especially as a Sophomore.     [player_tooltip player_id='1258488' first='Audra' last='Davis'] had some nice moments in the preseason tournament and looked to be adjusting to being a focal point of the opposition instead of a surprise. Her length, IQ, rebounding, movement, and passing all showed up. She made good plays, stayed active, and gave glimpses of the type of player she will become as she grows stronger and more assertive. One play comes to mind. Off of a rebound with defenders fighting for the ball, she tips the ball to a teammate who scores. A play that only the special ones make. Her foundation is strong, and her development will be fun to watch.       [player_tooltip player_id='514916' first='Caeli' last='Weaver'] played very well in the preseason tournament. Her shooting really stood out—she was one of the most consistent perimeter threats across both games. At 6'2, she can stretch the floor, rebound, and defend, and she anchors the back line with her length and effort. Weaver is a fun, exciting young player who brings two-way impact and showed that she can be a reliable scorer from the perimeter.

The Veteran players came to play during the preseason tournament and really set the stage for an exciting season, but the stage didn't just belong to the veterans—the young guns made real noise, proving they're impact players "right now" and are not just names for the future. Across the rosters of Tocoi, Bolles, Bartram, and especially on Ponte Vedra, underclassmen stepped onto the scene, showcased skill, confidence, and poise, and made it clear that the area's next wave of talent is already here and ready - RIGHT NOW!