Statewide Snapshot: Class 7A Preseason Outlook

<!-- 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: Winter Haven</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Lady Blue Devils</em> have been going at it with Dr. Phillips for years, and they got it done last year with a 45 to 42 win over the Panthers in a thriller! Winter Haven does lose 4 big pieces to graduation, but return their two leading scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='861097' first='Serenity' last='Hardy'] (<em>USF commit</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='861113' first='Quin'Nya' last='Gray De Sanders'] (<em>Arizona St commit</em>) as one of the toughest backcourt duos in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='1222632' first='Alyse' last='Mercredi'] will step into an expanded role as a lengthy rebounder, defender, and scorer on this team. The guardplay trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1219031' first='Aubrey' last='Hall'], [player_tooltip player_id='1232615' first='Faith' last='Thompson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='752582' first='Lauren' last='Jordan'] will also be in the limelight as all three will take on bigger roles alongside their elite backcourt duo. The hope is that [player_tooltip player_id='873464' first='Victoria' last='Hall'] will come back early in the season and be able to stay healthy and dominate the paint at 6'5". It's safe to say the <strong>Winter Haven Lady Blue Devils</strong> are the favorites to win another <strong>7A State Title</strong> to add to their legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Contenders</span></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Ocoee</strong></em> - The Knights earned their way to the state tournament last year before running into the eventual state champs in the Final 4. They won 25 games last season and return nearly everyone with major contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='470458' first='Dakara' last='Merthie'] (<em>College of Charleston commit</em>), [player_tooltip player_id='1235118' first='Kylie' last='Holden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1306708' first='Gabriella' last='Fortius'], and [player_tooltip player_id='956335' first='Brakayla' last='Anderson']. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='248673' first='Aubrey' last='Satterfield'] in the backcourt and the size of [player_tooltip player_id='1216293' first='Janiah' last='Batten'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514589' first='Senaia' last='Asanya'] in the frontcourt make Ocoee a VERY serious contender for that 7A Title. I also expect transfers [player_tooltip player_id='1320419' first='Taliyah' last='Trent'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1217994' first='Jazmine' last='Monroe'] to be key contributors on one of the deepest teams in the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Doral Academy</em></strong> - The Firebirds look to return to the state tournament after their trip last year in a 21-win season and a tough loss to Dr. Phillips. They enter a new era with a new coach, but she's not new to the program. They lose a key piece to transfer, but return their three seniors and 75% of their leading scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='430459' first='Stephanie' last='Vega'], [player_tooltip player_id='243907' first='Ashley' last='Martinez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='514635' first='DJ' last='Myers']. They also have a very talented 2028 group with [player_tooltip player_id='1235146' first='Leila' last='Figueroa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235145' first='Camila' last='Velasco'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235884' first='Gabriella' last='O'Reilly'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1238136' first='Madison' last='Londono'] that will need to step up to assist those upperclassmen. This is a team with a lot of chemistry and is my pick for the South Florida representative in the 7A Class with the amount of skill and depth they possess.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Centennial</em></strong> - The Eagles made the Elite 8 last year and return their top six players as well as bringing in one of the biggest transfers in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='515106' first='Lovely' last='Gabriel'] (<em>ETSU commit</em>) making the move to Centennial. Their returners include four double-digits scorers from last season: [player_tooltip player_id='514564' first='Jailyn' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='514563' first='Jakenzye' last='McBride'], [player_tooltip player_id='1360480' first='Jada' last='Parson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='874207' first='Waniya' last='Fortner']. [player_tooltip player_id='515105' first='Alayna' last='Knapp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1235877' first='Jazel' last='Chefenfant'] will continue to provide some quality minutes for a team that has a solid seven and some nice size. I think this team will surprise people as a talented squad in a quiet part of the state for girls basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Creekside</em></strong> - Someone has to hold it down for the Jax area! I believe Creekside will be that team to hold it down in 7A for their area. They won 16 games last year and return their top four players from that team: [player_tooltip player_id='514521' first='Brie' last='McCoy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1035278' first='Presley' last='Brinkley'], [player_tooltip player_id='527277' first='Cami' last='Waters'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1046157' first='Siun' last='Crowley']. Alongside those returners, they add a big-time transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='514520' first='Anni' last='Ament'] as well as an incoming Freshman - [player_tooltip player_id='750603' first='Judah' last='Smith']. This will be a team to watch this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Sleeper(s)</span></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Orlando Area and ALL of Central Florida</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central Florida and specifically Orlando always have something to say about the results in the 7A Class with the large amount of teams they have in this classification. Who will emerge this year other than Ocoee? DeLand, Timber Creek, Oak Ridge, Colonial, Lake Mary, Spruce Creek? Only time will tell!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><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":["861097"],"_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-6913abe70f675"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serenity plays top competition year-round. Winter Haven is a HS team who always play one of the strongest schedules in the state and Essence on the EYBL Circuit where she held her own against some of the top players in the country. USF doesn't traditionally recruit FL heavy, so that is just a testament to her ability and character.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Breakout Underclassmen:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213565"],"_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-6913b11712d97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sakura did a little bit of everything for her team last year on their way to the state tournament. She will no longer be playing on the same team as the Hardisson sisters, so she will need to be much more aggressive and lead this South Dade team for them to see the success they expect. Last year, she averaged 11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.2 spg, and 2.6 apg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1234885"],"_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-6913d400c39d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paulina will step into a very big role for a Haines City team that lost two of it's top scorers in the Morris sisters. With her size and versatility, she'll need to score and rebound at a high level for the Hornets as well as use her vision and passing to assist her teammates. I'm confident she will have a great year as a young leader on her new squad after stepping onto the scene last season with 13 points per contest with Davenport.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Class 7A All-State:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["861097"],"_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-6913b11712e1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best overall player in 7A. Reigning State Champ, scored 50 points total in state tournament games, and got to the line 18 times.<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.8 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["470458"],"_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-6913b11712e7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smooth hooper and one of the top shooters/scorers in all of Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23.9 ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.7 spg, 2.9 apg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["515106"],"_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-6913b11712ed7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Top post player and most impactful transfer in 7A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["861113"],"_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-6913b11712f32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Q's speed, motor, and athleticism are second to none.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12.1 ppg, 4.4 spg, 2.9 rpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514520"],"_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-6913b5f1218a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Huge addition to Creekside. Her versatility, size, and skill will impact every game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2 spg, 1.1 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["216440"],"_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-6915069eeedaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top players in the state when healthy. Will carry a big load for Spruce Creek this year with her height, length, scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season (10 games):</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>14 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.8 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->