A Look into the Class 2A Scene

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Basketball season is upon us! The regular season has officially tipped off. 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: Miami Country Day</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans are a staple at the State Tournament. 10x State Champs in the last 13 years. They won the 2A Championship by ten points after a twenty-win season and return all of their firepower from that team. MCDS adds big-time transfers with [player_tooltip player_id='514584' first='Casey' last='O'Connell'] from Canterbury and [player_tooltip player_id='1452324' first='TJ' last='Ariche'] from Texas. They return their core 6 to go along with those 2 with [player_tooltip player_id='214184' first='Jalynn' last='Belton'], [player_tooltip player_id='470461' first='Kamie' last='Ellis'], [player_tooltip player_id='219786' first='Kennedy' last='Deal'], [player_tooltip player_id='515006' first='Rachael' last='Luis'], [player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge'], and [player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson']. There is so much talent and depth on this team, so I expect them to bring home another 2A Title!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Contenders:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evangelical Christian</strong> - The Sentinels made the Final 4 last year before losing to Miami Country Day by only 2 points. Led by [player_tooltip player_id='1207160' first='Nalah' last='Smith'] (<em>Brown Signee</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='515087' first='Kellisia' last='Grant'] who is dealing with an unfortunate injury, they might be the biggest contender for Country Day again if KG can make it back for the postseason. ECS is also loaded with talented underclassmen like Seve Armstead, [player_tooltip player_id='1276121' first='Moriah' last='Walker'], Sanaa Stillman, [player_tooltip player_id='1234890' first='Amiyah' last='Green'], and Abby Thompson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Trinity</strong> - The Tigers made it to Lakeland last year in a 22-win season. They return their two leading scorers, both underclassmen, in [player_tooltip player_id='400816' first='Leila' last='Bryant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='400815' first='Kylie' last='Green']. HT also brings in transfer [player_tooltip player_id='873419' first='Gianna' last='Conklin-Jones'] to offset the loss of a couple Seniors that were key contributors last year. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='515056' first='Lorena' last='Faber'], [player_tooltip player_id='1236611' first='Cici' last='Hsieh'], and Samantha Fraser will need to step into bigger roles for this Melbourne team to make a return State appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The First Academy</strong> - The Royals lost in the Sweet 16 last year after accumulating 23 wins, but will have a bit of a different look this season. They lose a key piece to graduation and one to transfer but having [player_tooltip player_id='874206' first='Bianca' last='Hall'] back and at the helm is the most important part. [player_tooltip player_id='873458' first='Avery' last='Michels'], Isabella Gomes, and Sophia Silva will be other key returners to go along with Jaslyn Easley, [player_tooltip player_id='514615' first='Arriah' last='Denmark'], and Jalecia Tyler who make up a really strong trio of transfers. TFA is playing one of the toughest schedules in 2A this year as well to prepare them for the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Providence School</strong> - The Stallions finished as the State Runner-Up last year after an impressive 24 wins. They lose two massive pieces in the backcourt, so they will need to figure some things out to be a serious contender. Led by a strong trio of [player_tooltip player_id='722918' first='Kasey' last='Davey'] (<em>Yale Signee</em>), [player_tooltip player_id='722922' first='Kennedy' last='Loux'] (<em>FSU Signee</em>), and [player_tooltip player_id='722919' first='Julianna' last='Baskin'] (<em>Tampa VB Signee</em>), so there's always a chance they make some noise in this class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Sleepers:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>San Jose Prep</strong> - The Storm lost in the Elite 8 last season, but they have a new coach and some new faces this year. They return the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='805961' first='Jazlynn' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1414203' first='Jania' last='Ervin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1278544' first='Nikayla' last='Alford']. SJP adds some big transfers with [player_tooltip player_id='748533' first='Falisa' last='White'], [player_tooltip player_id='601402' first='Lena' last='Most'], [player_tooltip player_id='633529' first='Mia' last='Chandler'], [player_tooltip player_id='748532' first='Whitney' last='Hudson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1414188' first='Elena' last='Atanaskovic'] to a roster than could surprise some people once they piece it all together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palmer Trinity</strong> - The Falcons lost to Miami Country Day in the Sweet 16 and unfortunately have such a tough Region for that reason. They return just about everyone with [player_tooltip player_id='1232612' first='Emma' last='Esparza'], [player_tooltip player_id='1234257' first='Sofia' last='Laria'], Missy Nieves, and Aaliyah Wright leading the charge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Neumann</strong> - The Celtics won 16 games last year and are led by 5 Seniors with [player_tooltip player_id='515086' first='Mylee' last='Van De Wouw'] and Angelina Insana leading the way.</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":["214184"],"_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-693099f13499c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JB is a strong, physical, big guard that is so versatile and does a little bit of everything for her team. She's a top 2027 in the state and the country with that ability to impact the game in a variety of ways as a mature leader on her squad. Jalynn can score it efficiently from every level and makes smart decisions with the ball in her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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":["1197567"],"_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-693099f134a34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rudi will be the focal point on this team as one of the better Sophomores in the state, so she is asked to a lot on both ends of the floor. She's averaging a double-double so far this season and impacts the game with her length and ability to shoot it. As her confidence continues to improve, I expect her game to do the same. Should be an exciting year for this Sophomore!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">2A All-State Prediction:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["400816"],"_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-693099f134a97"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Plays beyond her years. Elite Freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207160"],"_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-693099f134ae5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elite length that impacts both ends every possesion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12 ppg, 8 rpg, 2 bpg, 2.7 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722918"],"_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-693099f134b3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile forward with solid athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["515069"],"_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-693099f134bae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile forward who plays hard and does a bit of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.9 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214184"],"_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-693099f134c1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Talented guard with high upside. Best player in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["874206"],"_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-693099f134c6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leader, facilitator, scorer, etc....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.4 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->