“Got Better”

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year, there's a group of players who come back sharper, stronger, and just better than they were season before. They hit the gym- from early-morning workouts to late-night shots in the gym, this group put in the work to be better. They tightened their handles, improved their shooting mechanics, locked in defensively, and found new confidence in their roles. In this article, we look at players we saw over the summer and fall who “got better.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783627"],"_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-68f62ce11377f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">&nbsp;Anyone who saw [player_tooltip player_id='783627' first='Dominique' last='Boone'] at the FABC Showcase could see the growth. In Boone's case, it wasn't just improvement — it was a return to the flashes she showed as a freshman at the ENG Tournament in Daytona. Over the summer and into the fall, she played with confidence and composure, displaying a smooth shooting touch, running the floor with purpose, and competing with an edge to her game. The senior forward also showcased her versatility — stretching the floor with range from behind the arc while anchoring the middle defensively. Her presence alone disrupted drives to the paint, and she consistently made plays on both ends. College coaches in attendance noticed the difference too. Boone was in "beast mode" Her energy, shot selection, and overall presence and confidence stood out. Boone got better and that could be all that Cardinal Mooney needs to get to Jacksonville at the end of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514527"],"_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-68f5e44762259"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='514527' first='Arianna' last='Walker'] really got bet<em>ter.</em> Defensively, she took things to another level. Walker showed the ability to lock down guards, wings, and even battle with some forwards thanks to her strength and athleticism. Walker combines a lot of superlatives - she's physical, disciplined, and explosive — a combination that makes her one of the most versatile defenders in the area. It's no surprise she is an elite track star on the high school level and that speed and burst show up on the basketball court. One of her most memorable moments came in North Carolina, where she blocked back-to-back three-point attempts to preserve the victory- a perfect snapshot of her effort, athleticism and instincts. Offensively, Walker has expanded her game too. She's consistently knocking down the mid-range jumper, connecting on the occasional three point shot, and she's attacking the rim with more confidence — finishing with either hand and through contact. Her two-way improvement this offseason makes her one of the biggest risers in the region — a player who truly got better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933334"],"_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-68f5e447622bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If there's one player whose improvement has been steady and undeniable, it's [player_tooltip player_id='933334' first='Shelby' last='Gaines']. Each year Gaines has added something new— and now that momentum is impossible to ignore. Gaines has elevated every part of her game: she can get in the lane and score at will, she impacts both ends of the floor, and her midrange in the set offense or in transition is deadly. Defensively, her quick hands, anticipation, and ability to turn steals into fast-break points make her a constant problem for opposing guards and teams. At the most recent PGH Expo was how seamlessly she competed against elite-level guards. Instead of taking a backseat, she matched their energy and sometimes got the better of them. Gaines has the ability to lead her own team, but she also blends beautifully with high-level talent, showing poise and confidence that can translate to the next level. College coaches noticed it too - I have heard a few talking about it. Her aggressiveness, polish, and two-way impact make her the kind of guard college coaches want. [player_tooltip player_id='933334' first='Shelby' last='Gaines'] got better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["400818"],"_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-68f5e44762304"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some players just play the game, but [player_tooltip player_id='400818' first='Kennedi' last='Tatum'] compet<em>es</em> in it. What separates her isn't just skill — it's her mindset. She has an ability to take challenges and turn them into fuel. Tell her she can't do something, and she'll quietly go out and prove you wrong and smile as if there wasn't any extra motivation. Tatum embraces competition in every setting and never backs down, no matter who's across from her. She has been doing that since the 8th grade when she played a key role to help her team get to the final 4 in Lakeland. In Louisville this summer, Tatum carried her "underdog mentality" into the Run for the Roses tournament and walked away with an "All Tournament" selection, showing once again that her game elevates when the stage gets tougher. She's the kind of player who thrives in the moment — driven by a quiet competitiveness and an inner fire that you can't coach. [player_tooltip player_id='400818' first='Kennedi' last='Tatum'] doesn't just play to win — she expects to. In addition to the mental game, she can shoot the three with consistency, can get to the rim, she is fast and can lock down guards and forwards. Tatum has the physical and the mental game and college coaches are paying attention. She has several D-1 offers and Tatum didn't just get better- her game is still expanding. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527277"],"_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-68f5e44762386"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='527277' first='Cami' last='Waters'] has clearly got better. Over the summer, her work showed up — especially at the Camden Shootout in Georgia, where she knocked down the three-point shot with more confidence and consistency than ever before. That confidence and perimeter shooting have become the biggest parts of her growth. Already known as one of North Florida's best shot-blocking forwards, Waters also is a tough defender with her feet on the floor. Her length and activity make her a defensive nightmare - she plays the passing lanes, and creates deflections that fuel transition offense. In the open floor, she runs well, finishes on the break, and shows a nice touch with her floater and runner. Long, mobile, and more confident than ever, Water's growth was impossible to ignore. She's not just protecting the rim anymore. Waters got better and now she is filling it up in a variety of ways. Waters got better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["912251"],"_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-68f5e44762403"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='912251' first='Ella' last='Crowe'] </strong>is one  year older and one year better.   Crowe's growth has been steady and her game looks similar to last year,  but more efficient in all of the little things she does on a basketball court.   Known for her work ethic and coachability,     Crowe's scoring has matured; she finishes stronger on drives, hits the mid-range with confidence, and has added consistency to her perimeter shooting from the free-throw line in.   At the Flagler Camp, coaches took notice of the sophomore's polish and poise, walking away impressed with how naturally her game has evolved. There wasn't anything flashy about her improvement.   Her game just looks more mature — more complete — and that's the mark of someone who's <em>got better.</em><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->