Preseason's Productive Hoopers- Part 1

Tocoi and Orange Park gyms were loud, the pace was fast, and the energy was unmistakable — and through it all, hoopers from every class rose above the noise. From seasoned seniors sharpening their final-year edge to fearless freshmen making varsity plays, these athletes delivered impressive efforts. Whether it was relentless rebounding, crafty shot creation, lock-down defense, or pure scoring versatility, these are the players who wasted no time making their presence felt.    Lena Most delivered one of the most complete guard performances of the entire preseason. Shifty, skilled, and confident, she repeatedly broke down defenders with a quick crossover and explosive first step, getting to the rim whenever she wanted. She's crafty at the point of attack and finished through traffic with control and touch. Her jumper was smooth, especially from the top of the key, and she scored at all three levels. In the half court, she operated the pick-and-roll with maturity, keeping defenders guessing with her pacing and handles. She was equally impressive on the defensive end with her ability to prevent defenders from getting pass her and her multiple deflections that led to steals. What really separated her was her athleticism and ball IQ. Most was the most polished scorer in the building.       Shelby had her midrange cooking all night, carving up Nease's defense with smooth pull-ups and decisive attacks. She jumped passing lanes and ripped ball handlers for clean steals and finishes in transition. Gaines was confident, composed, and efficient — she played like someone who knew exactly where her spots were and that she was the top bucket-getter on the court. College coaches were in the building and Gaines's lost art-midrange left them impressed.     [player_tooltip player_id='1363221' first='Kennedy' last='Jeffress'] put on one of the most electric preseason performances of any underclassman over the preseason period. Jeffress attacked the lane with fearlessness and flair — double-clutch finishes, controlled acrobatics, and pure athleticism drives at the rim. Every drive came with purpose, and every possession showed her natural talent. Jeffress was special in the open court and was a beast in the transition game. She made reads, changed speeds, showed real body control navigating traffic, and showed a lot of play making abilities. Jeffress showed flash, but also a lot of substance. The young guard is competitive, tough, and has an ability to put her team on her back at such an early age.     [player_tooltip player_id='1136118' first='Reah' last='Saunders'] (cover photo) broke the press, attacked the rim, and kept her team in the hunt until the better team wore her down. Saunders earned respect from opposing coaches, referees and even opposing players in the building. That's nothing new- Saunders and company made it to the State Championships on the heals of this talented young guard's play. Saunders handles the ball and leads her team like a veteran. She puts great pressure o a defense with her quickness and speed and ability to get to the rim and score. She will be an exciting player to watch throughout the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1313764' first='Nyla' last='Parsons'] was pure electricity on the floor. A sophomore with varsity command, she pushes the pace with a burst that immediately puts pressure on defenses. In the open floor she was virtually unstoppable — flying past defenders, attacking angles, and finishing through contact with the left and right hand. Defensively, Parsons was a nightmare for opposing guards. Quick feet, sharp instincts, and a relentless motor made her a one-player disrupting force. She jumps passing lanes, disrupts ball handlers, and creates instant transition opportunities.       [player_tooltip player_id='974196' first='Trinity' last='Dinkins'] proved once again why she was one of the most versatile and dependable scorers in the gym. Early on, she controlled the middle of the floor—securing position and scoring in the heart of the defense. When defenses collapsed, she stepped out and knocked down a smooth corner three, showing how versatile her game is. Dinkins consistently impacted the game in multiple ways. She scored inside with strength and balance, finished through traffic, and rebounded and initiated the fast break on several occasions. Dinkins showed a natural feel for finding open space and operating. She is a natural leader who leads her team verbally and by example.

Tocoi and Orange Park gyms were loud, the pace was fast, and the energy was unmistakable — and through it all, hoopers from every class rose above the noise. From seasoned seniors sharpening their final-year edge to fearless freshmen making varsity plays, these athletes delivered impressive efforts. Whether it was relentless rebounding, crafty shot creation, lock-down defense, or pure scoring versatility, these are the players who wasted no time making their presence felt.