Season Preview: Return of the Core

<p>In a preseason filled with breakout newcomers and fast-rising young talent across the First Coast, we look at the programs that are poised to make another run in the State playoffs. These programs have the experience, the chemistry, and the leadership. What makes this group special is that they return the core group of players and are poised to "run it back". </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong> Bolles</strong></h2>   <p>Bolles enters the season with one of the most complete and dangerous returning cores in the area, headlined by the electric play of [player_tooltip player_id='514608' first='Evie' last='Freeman'], who controls games with confidence and relentless downhill pressure. Alongside her, [player_tooltip player_id='751625' first='Terrell' last='McCoy'] gives the Bulldogs interior strength, rebounding presence, and an unrivaled physicality that sets the tone around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='514527' first='Arianna' last='Walker'] adds toughness and defensive pressure, changing momentum with her energy and instincts, while [player_tooltip player_id='823463' first='Presley' last='Norman'] stretches the floor with her confident and elite shooting that forces defenders to game plan to stop her. As a group, they are one of the top teams in the State and definitely one of the top teams on the First Coast.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tocoi Creek</h2>   <p>Few programs return a more polished and cohesive core than Tocoi Creek. [player_tooltip player_id='400785' first='Audrey' last='Beyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='738971' first='Gabi' last='Iturralde'] remain the anchors of the team who provide scoring, poise, and relentless defense in the biggest moments. [player_tooltip player_id='514918' first='Adelynn' last='Curry'] adds energy, athleticism, and depth, while [player_tooltip player_id='400813' first='Asiana' last='McCreary'] brings the kind of versatility that elevates the roster. McCreary was a key contributor last season, offering inside presence on both ends and often stepping into the five spot defensively despite naturally being a three or four. She anchors the Toros with mobility, length, and the ability to adapt on a daily basis. Add in major newcomers [player_tooltip player_id='1308934' first='Kaitlyn' last='Farr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'], and the roster has not only remained strong — it has improved. Farr adds skill, rebounding, and scoring touch, while the young Gill brings athleticism and toughness. Tocoi Creek plays with chemistry and experience, and they are poised for a return to the Final Four with a stronger and deeper team. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Providence</strong></h2>   <p>At Providence, the returning trio of [player_tooltip player_id='722922' first='Kennedy' last='Loux'], [player_tooltip player_id='722918' first='Kasey' last='Davey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='722919' first='Julianna' last='Baskin'] gives the program leadership and experience. Loux sets the tone with control, decision-making, and efficient scoring from the perimeter. Davey is an exciting forward who impacts every phase of the game — scoring inside, rebounding, defending, and killing it in the transition game. Davey is one of the best open court players in the entire State of Florida. Baskin adds physicality and a competitive edge on the inside. She provides elite play in middle on both ends of the floor. Together, their chemistry is unmistakable and they have been a staple in the finals the past few years. Providence enters the season with a core that understands what it takes to win, and they look every bit like a group who could be in their back yard in Jacksonville when the Final 4 is unveiled.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>NFEI</strong></h2>   <p>NFEI returns a veteran quartet in [player_tooltip player_id='515001' first='Jorrdann' last='Sibley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1201802' first='Jannell' last='Houston'], [player_tooltip player_id='1215569' first='Beyoncé' last='Jedinie'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1201829' first='Sawsan' last='Kamara'], a group that brings scoring, toughness, and defensive presence. Sibley provides offensive excitement and playmaking ability. Houston plays with infectious energy, using her athleticism to create plays on both ends of the floor. She is the catalyst and one of the most underrated players on the First Coast. Houston can score on the perimeter or in the paint, rebound on both ends of the floor, and play smothering defense against the opposition. Jedinie adds interior strength, perimeter scoring, rebounding and defense that anchors the lane. Kamara returns as a confident shooter who stretches the defense and balances the floor. Last season, NFEI was the talk of the town and with this returning core, they will be favored to make a run for the Finals again.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong> Hilliard</strong></h2>   <p>Hilliard enters the season with a returning core strengthened toughness and young talent ready to contribute again on the big stage. This time, they will catch no one by surprise. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='221613' first='Alyssa' last='Hallman'] remains a major piece — a versatile scorer who thrives in key moments and brings leadership, confidence, and production. The backcourt gets a boost from 8th-grade point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136118' first='Reah' last='Saunders'], a poised young floor general who already plays with maturity, handles pressure well, and keeps the offense organized. Alongside her, 8th-grade guard [player_tooltip player_id='1136120' first='Justice' last='Alderman'] adds experience, energy, excitement, and production. The frontcourt is anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='1220309' first='Kailyn' last='Ballance'], a key inside scorer and relentless rebounder who also protects the rim and brings physical interior defense. Together, this group brings youth, experience, and a team who plays together. They are poised for another run, but this year's team will have to make a run with a target directly on their backs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bishop Kenny</strong></h2>   <p>Bishop Kenny returns a strong nucleus with unfinished business after falling one game short of the Final Four, losing to Rickards at home in last year's Elite Eight. [player_tooltip player_id='515064' first='Kathleen' last='Crawley'] leads the way with her versatile game - she can stretch the floor with her efficient outside game and also get it done in the paint with her attack in the paint. Makala DesJarlais adds interior power, versatile scoring on the inside and in transition, physical rebounding, and a competitive edge that fuels the team's toughness. The return of center [player_tooltip player_id='721486' first='Amaya' last='Canady'] will also give the Lady Crusaders a strong presence in the middle on both ends of the court. Surrounding them, the roster is strengthened by the presence of skilled shooters like [player_tooltip player_id='400811' first='Elle' last='Deegan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741734' first='Sienna' last='Williams'], and the addition of freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1261851' first='Shea' last='Donovan'], whose pace and playmaking abilities elevate the returning veterans. Bishop Kenny's chemistry and experience will be the foundation of another deep postseason run, and they enter the season fueled by last year's Elite Eight defeat — a reminder that they were just one win away from the Final Four. <span style="font-size: revert;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)"></span></p>   <p></p>

In a preseason filled with breakout newcomers and fast-rising young talent across the First Coast, we look at the programs that are poised to make another run in the State playoffs. These programs have the experience, the chemistry, and the leadership. What makes this group special is that they return the core group of players and are poised to "run it back".