Young Guns Poised For Playoff Impact- Part 1

A lot of great matchups last week, and one of the biggest takeaways was the impact made by Freshmen and Sophomores. These young players were not just participants - they helped determine outcomes. In this article, we examine underclassmen who have proven that the next wave is here and are poised to make their presence felt in the upcoming playoffs.    [player_tooltip player_id='708143' first='Kendall' last='Proffitt'] continues to shoot the cover off the ball and eclipsed the 100 three-pointer mark for the third consecutive season. Proffitt is not just a shooter, but a playmaker who can handle the ball and get teammates involved when defenses set out to stop her. But make no mistake, Proffitt is a scorer who averages 28.8 points per game. She is poised for the upcoming playoffs and is a dangerous player to face in a loser-go-home scenario.     [player_tooltip player_id='1261851' first='Shea' last='Donovan'] went head-to-head against some of the State's toughest senior guards and sent a message. Not only is she one of the faces of the future of point guards in the State, but she is poised to help lead her team to a deep playoff run. Donovan controlled the pace of the game and used the pick-and-roll effectively to get to the rim and get downhill. Donovan consistently made smart reads, showing poise and decision-making beyond her years. The freshman's elite ball IQ will be on display as her team makes a run in the upcoming playoffs.     [player_tooltip player_id='1249017' first='Angelina' last='Laudicina'] had one game recently where she played like a doorkeeper. With the game on the line, the Freshman knocked down several threes and shut the door. Laudicina is another young player who plays beyond her years. She is at her best when the game is on the line- the mark of a good player. Laudicina does a great job of finding the soft spots in the defense and plays in sync with guards who can draw the defense. [player_tooltip player_id='514608' first='Evie' last='Freeman'] is going to attract a lot of attention in the playoffs, and Laudicina is the type of player who can hurt a team. She is young and unfazed by pressure - a dangerous combination.     [player_tooltip player_id='1671725' first='Khloe' last='Small'] was a big secret for most of the season, but the Freshman is turning heads big time with her ability to compete against older players who are sometimes twice her size. She had moments against Bolles where she changed the momentum of the game with her defense. She battled in the paint, denied the entry pass, drew offensive fouls, and rebounded the ball with athleticism and quickness. In a week where she played against some of the top 2026 prospects in the State, Small caught the eye of many. She is no longer a secret on the First place. The young freshman is a former hidden gem who has arrived and is poised to play a big part in her team's 2026 playoff run.     [player_tooltip player_id='974196' first='Trinity' last='Dinkins'] has a great understanding of scoring the ball and is one of the best young players on the First Coast. Last week, Dinkins faced 2 North Florida teams that were both in last year's Final 4 in Lakeland. In the game I watched, Dinkins was the most versatile player on the floor, showcasing an ability to run the floor, score against pressure, and get to the rim with elite footwork and a great use of scoring angles. Dinkins and the squad came up just short, but Dinkins gained respect and is poised to play a huge role in the upcoming playoffs.     [player_tooltip player_id='1003101' first='Gabby' last='Mallory'] is poised for a big playoff run, and she is one of the few guards who can dominate inside the paint. Mallory has a college-ready body and can withstand physical play on both sides of the ball. Mallory scores on drives, midranges, and can score against physical forwards and centers in the paint. Mallory is versatile and can play the guard and forward positions. Her ability to handle the ball, drive to the rim, and score is legit. Mallory is poised to help Orange Park make a deep run in the playoffs. No one wants to meet Mallory and company in the playoffs. She is poised to make a huge impact in the playoffs and lead Orange Park deep into the postseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='1689016' first='Deasia' last='Smith'] is one of the most athletic Sophomore guards on the First Coast. Smith can score the ball with a mixture of floaters, transition play, and attacks at the rim. Her quickness and fluidity stand out. The young guard is smooth. Smith plays on both ends of the floor and is quick enough to cover the opposing team's toughest guard. She was instrumental in the Gateway Championship and is poised for an encore in the playoffs.

A lot of great matchups last week, and one of the biggest takeaways was the impact made by Freshmen and Sophomores. These young players were not just participants - they helped determine outcomes. In this article, we examine underclassmen who have proven that the next wave is here and are poised to make their presence felt in the upcoming playoffs.