Class Rural State Championship Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rural Class State Tournament tips off this week at UNF, bringing four of the classification's most consistent programs to Jacksonville with one goal — leave with the trophy. All season long, these teams have navigated small-school battles, road trips, and pressure-packed district games to earn this stage. Now, win streaks, seeding, and regular-season résumés no longer matter — it's two games, one arena, and a championship on the line. With momentum, youth, and experience all represented in this Final Four, the Rural crown is up for grabs. Here is a preview of the Class Rural girls basketball state championship tournament:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jay (2) vs. Hilliard (3) – 4:00 PM | UNF Arena, Jacksonville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first girls basketball semifinal to tip in Jacksonville features two of the hottest teams in the Rural Class bracket. <strong>Jay (24–4)</strong> enters riding a 16-game winning streak, fresh off an emphatic win over Chipley to punch its ticket to UNF. On the other side, <strong>Hilliard (24–5)</strong> has won 10 straight and brings a balanced mix of leadership and rising young talent into this Final Four matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jay: Young Core, Big Stage</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jay's surge has been powered by a trio of 2027 standouts — <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1775876' first='Aubreigh' last='Nelson']</strong>, <strong>Presley Hawthorne</strong>, and <strong>Hattie Locklin</strong> — who have grown up quickly during this postseason run. Their ability to score in spurts, defend with energy, and feed off one another has fueled the program's 16-game streak. For a group like this, composure will be key under the bright lights at UNF. If their pace and confidence travel, Jay has shown it can overwhelm teams on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hilliard: Experience Meets Emerging Talent</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilliard counters with senior presence in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221613' first='Alyssa' last='Hallman']</strong>, a Division II signee who understands the moment and has been through postseason battles before. She's complemented by two promising young pieces in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136121' first='Charlee' last='Matos']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136118' first='Reah' last='Saunders']</strong>, giving the Red Flashes both scoring punch and long-term upside. Their 10-game win streak reflects a team playing connected basketball at the right time of year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What to Watch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup feels like youth and momentum versus experience and balance. Jay's trio has been explosive, but Hallman's leadership and Hilliard's ability to control tempo could dictate the flow. The team that handles the early nerves in the first girls semifinal of the week at UNF may gain the edge in what projects to be a competitive opening act in Jacksonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Williston (1) vs. Blountstown (4) – 8:00 PM | UNF Arena, Jacksonville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second Rural semifinal features the bracket's top seed and perceived favorite in <strong>Williston (20–2)</strong> against a confident and a similarly high-scoring <strong>Blountstown (25–2)</strong> squad. Williston dropped two early games to begin the year at 4–2 but hasn't lost since — riding a 16-game win streak that included an impressive win over perennial small-school contender Wildwood to secure its trip to Jacksonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Williston: The Favorite With Balance</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williston's consistency starts with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='656075' first='Ashlyn' last='Young']</strong> and <strong>Tiona Wilkinson</strong>, the experienced duo that anchors both ends of the floor. They've been steady scorers and tone-setters throughout the win streak. Underclassmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1764364' first='Janiyah' last='Span']</strong> and <strong>Kierce Solomon</strong> add another layer of offensive punch, giving Williston multiple options to space the floor and attack. That blend of leadership and emerging talent is a big reason many view them as the Rural Class favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Blountstown: Youthful Firepower</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blountstown enters on a 10-game run of its own, winning by large margins and rarely being tested late. The question becomes whether that dominance prepares them — or leaves them untested — against a disciplined Williston group. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222630' first='Cyianna' last='Smith']</strong> headlines the roster as the go-to presence, while an exciting 2028 trio of <strong>Jalynn Copeland</strong>, <strong>Jill Davis</strong>, and <strong>Neveah Thomas</strong> gives Blountstown youthful scoring ability and long-term promise. Their confidence is real, but this will be their toughest challenge yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What to Watch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williston has the experience, balance, and postseason-tested edge with one of the toughest Class Rural schedules. Blountstown has momentum, youth, and offensive confidence. If the game slows into a half-court execution battle, that favors the 1-seed. If Blountstown's young core can speed the Red Devils up and make it uncomfortable, this semifinal could tighten quickly. Either way, a trip to the Rural Class State Championship will be on the line under the lights at UNF.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Players to Watch:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["656075"],"_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-699d0061a374b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashlyn is a three-level scorer and two-way presence whose poised decision-making allow her to control every phase of the game while impacting it in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-12.5 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-4 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3.5 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-3.3 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221613"],"_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-699d0061a37a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alyssa, a Belmont Abbey commit, is a versatile three-level scorer whose steady leadership allow her to thrive in key moments while setting the tone with confidence and production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-13.8 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-6.6 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2.6 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2.4 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222630"],"_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-699d0061a37ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cyianna is a athletic, dynamic player as Blountstown's do-it-all leader, and she impacts the game as a consistent scorer who has repeatedly delivers dominant postseason performances when her team has needed it most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-13.8 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-4.6 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2.9 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1775876"],"_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-699d03a3aeab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aubreigh is an athletic, versatile hooper that is active at the rim on both ends and plays an unselfish brand of basketball that helps her team thrive in big moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-13.6 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-6.8 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-1.8 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-1.6 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136121"],"_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-699d03a3aeb62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlee is a fearless freshman who has already earned the reputation of a shooter on scouting reports, but her game extends well beyond that with her two-way impact and overall playmaking ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-12.5 ppg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-5.5 rpg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2 apg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-2 spg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->