Week One Statement Makers

The first week of the season provided an early snapshot of competitive  this year's landscape will be on the First Coast.  Some teams have provided true indications of a promising season, while the verdict is still out on some teams due to non competitive match-ups this week.    Across the region, some young teams showcased balance, discipline, and surprising maturity, while some talented young teams showed great promise, but are still maturing.   There were individual players who delivered game changing  performances and these prospects demand attention.    [player_tooltip player_id='933334' first='Shelby' last='Gaines'] came out of the gate looking like a player who spent the off-season working on her game. Her Week One performance for Bishop Snyder was electric as she showcased a three-level scoring display that positioned her as one of the top early-season guards in the area. Gaines opened the season with 25 points against a tough San Jose Prep squad, carrying the offensive load. She followed that outburst with a 31 point - 15 rebound effort against Paxon and a 17 point performance against Fort White. Gaines played downhill with purpose, attacked gaps, and showed an improved three point shooting stroke. Gaines is playing with confidence, playing with pace, and playing like one of the premier bucket-getters in the region.     [player_tooltip player_id='899022' first='Grace' last='Jarrett'] has started out the season making a serious statement. Through three games the Sophomore guard is averaging over 16 points per game, including a 23 point effort against Flomaton of Alabama. Jarrett is deadly from behind the arc and she makes defenders pay when they get sucked in and the ball is passed back out to Jarrett with a clean look at the basket. She can also hurt a team that closes out too fast. Jarrett is poised for a special season- one that's off to a "statement-making" beginning.     [player_tooltip player_id='1237196' first='Kalyn' last='Thomas'] made her debut this season with a 14 point performance. The young guard is one of the top Sophomore guards in the state and there are a plethora of them in the state of Florida. Thomas has the ability to get down hill, she can shoot the three, and she is an exciting player in transition. If the opening game is the benchmark, look for a special season from the young Sophomore.     [player_tooltip player_id='1136121' first='Charlee' last='Matos'] averaged a team leading 13 points per game, including a 22-point performance against Episcopal. Through week one, the young guard connected on six three three pointers and pulled down 23 rebounds from the guard position. Matros is part of one of the best young back courts in the region.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197547' first='Kayla' last='Lyde'] started out the new season with a statement - actually a double statement. Lyde started the season out with a 15-point and 9 rebound outing. The Senior flirted with a double-double average last season and that was good enough to anchor the middle for a state championship title. This year Lyde is poised to help Wildwood run it back, and as shown by her first game of the season, she will once again position herself as a double-double machine.     [player_tooltip player_id='638560' first='Gianna' last='Crawford'] had a week that could propel her to a monster season. The Sophomore (yes, still in 10th grade), averaged 23.7 points per game and 11.3 rebounds. If a double-double average wasn't impressive enough, Crawford averaged nearly 4 assists per game from the center position. The center is one of the most versatile prospects in her class. She blends power, IQ, and finesse and has the versatile skill-set to dominate in the paint and step out beyond the arc and score. Crawford made a statement and the First Coast had better be listening.     Janessa Horwitz, welcome to Florida basketball. The Senior center debuted this week with a 14 point and 4 rebound performance. SHe was a standout at the Flagler camp this summer where she announced her move to Florida. The big can pass the rock and is a tough cover around the goal. She has the ability to score and can also facilitate the ball from the center position. This was a strong opening act. With her size, skill set, and feel for the game, Horwitz has the tools to be a central piece for a team looking to run it back and chase another state championship title.

The first week of the season provided an early snapshot of competitive this year's landscape will be on the First Coast. Some teams have provided true indications of a promising season, while the verdict is still out on some teams due to non competitive match-ups this week. Across the region, some young teams showcased balance, discipline, and surprising maturity, while some talented young teams showed great promise, but are still maturing. There were individual players who delivered game changing performances and these prospects demand attention.