A Glance at Class 3A’s Best

<!-- 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: Cardinal Mooney</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars won 24 games last year on their way to a 3A State Championship. They lost 5 games in a row after Christmas to some really good teams then went on to win 17 in a row and did not lose a game after January 8. They'll take that 17 game winning streak into this season without their top 3 scorers from last season, but they add some firepower with [player_tooltip player_id='823892' first='Jadyn' last='Watts'], [player_tooltip player_id='972357' first='Jayla' last='Griffin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='783627' first='Dominique' last='Boone']. Some players from last season will move up the depth chart with increased usage. I expect the roles of [player_tooltip player_id='514601' first='Talia' last='Busser'], [player_tooltip player_id='973912' first='Emily' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204369' first='Charlie' last='Scibelli'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1036691' first='Ava' last='Bruno'] to significantly increase. A healthy [player_tooltip player_id='514603' first='Lailani' last='Washington'] will be huge for this backcourt as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1244109' first='Aliah' last='Newsome'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1266909' first='Amelia' last='Dammann'] will carve out solid roles as Freshman on this incredibly deep and talented roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top Contenders:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Somerset Canyons</strong> - The Cougars won 20 games last season and lose a couple pieces but do return some really big ones. Their four leading scorers are back with [player_tooltip player_id='248355' first='Alana' last='Pinnock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1134047' first='Delanie' last='Doty'], [player_tooltip player_id='216442' first='Tatyana' last='Campise-Pinkney'], and [player_tooltip player_id='515094' first='Dylande' last='Innocent']. They also return [player_tooltip player_id='742503' first='Alanna' last='Fabrini'] in this lethal backcourt and getting [player_tooltip player_id='1232629' first='Abigail' last='Philistin'] beack healthy will improve the froncourt even more. This team was very impressive in June, and I expect them to be a very serious title contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bolles</strong> - The Bulldogs won 25 games last year before losing in the State Title game. They'll certainly miss Abby Knauff to graduation, but they return two of the best athletes in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='514608' first='Evie' last='Freeman'] (<em>Air Force commit</em>) and [player_tooltip player_id='751625' first='Terrell' last='McCoy'](<em>Illini T&amp;F commit</em>). Bolles roster is very strong through 8 with [player_tooltip player_id='823463' first='Presley' last='Norman'] being a top shooter in the state, and the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='633532' first='Leila' last='Goll'] and [player_tooltip player_id='514527' first='Arianna' last='Walker'] providing sparks on the defensive end and on the boards. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='221599' first='Caelyn' last='Carter'], returner [player_tooltip player_id='1090912' first='Mamie' last='Burkett'], and one of the best Freshman in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1249017' first='Angelina' last='Laudicina'], will clock some quality minutes as well for this deep team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Windermere Prep</strong> - The Lakers won 21 games last season before getting knocked out in the Elite 8 to the eventual State Champs. They return their top 7 and add a transfer from Illinois with [player_tooltip player_id='887989' first='Mia' last='Molis']. Of their returners, [player_tooltip player_id='924660' first='Joba' last='Oyedeji'] and [player_tooltip player_id='846674' first='Eni' last='Oyedeji'] will anchor the frontcourt with their size, length, and strength. And their backcourt has plenty of weapons with [player_tooltip player_id='249395' first='Jazlyn' last='Bowman'], [player_tooltip player_id='248681' first='Alayiah' last='Johnson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='248678' first='Mikayla' last='Evans'] who can do a bit of everything for their team. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='743518' first='Izzy' last='Francis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1410954' first='Yifan' last='Zhou'], and you have a deep roster that can compete with anyone in the state. If they put it all together this year, they have a real chance to make a run at the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Highland Prep</strong> - You can't have a conversation about state titles and leave the Highlanders out of it. Tradition and success are two things that come to mind with LHP. They will always play a very competitive schedule to prepare themselves for the postseason. Last year, they lost in the Regional Semifinals to the eventual State Champs. You can't replace a player like Ari Woodard, but they will field a really strong starting lineup of returners. [player_tooltip player_id='1223182' first='Saleigh' last='Simpson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1223178' first='Aubrey' last='Griffin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1273424' first='A'Niyah' last='Liptrot'] being healthy this year will give them a boost. Those three will look to compliment thier senior guard trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1217157' first='Myanna' last='Hatchette'], [player_tooltip player_id='1217965' first='Eryn' last='Griffin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='514613' first='Valeria' last='Munoz'] who will use their leadership, experience, and strong motors to propel this team forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Potential Sleepers:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Park</strong> - Greyhounds went 24-3 last year and lost one starter. I believe the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1227838' first='Victoria' last='Pippi Boyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='514558' first='Olivia' last='Titherington'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1232661' first='Laylah' last='Dawkins'] give them a chance to be really special.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keys Gate</strong> - Knights only won 8 game last year but they add [player_tooltip player_id='248643' first='Naya' last='Hardisson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1223186' first='Zharianna' last='Guion'] who were part of a state runner-up team last season. They also return their leading scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='1244084' first='Essence' last='Deleon Gibbs'], so I think that win total should take a nice bump.</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":["248355"],"_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-691f905d105ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was tough to pick a Sophomore with the amount of talented Juniors and Seniors in this stacked 3A class. Alanna is just a really talented hooper that gets it done though. She'll be under the spotlight on a team with high expectations led by her skill, size, and length that make her one of the best Sophomores in the state and the country. Pinnock is hard to defend, crashes the boards, uses her length on defense, and see the floor so well. Expecting a big year for her and the Cougars!</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":["1273424"],"_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-691f905d106e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A'Niyah missed almost half of the season last year due to injury, but she was putting up over 6 ppg and nearly 3 rpg as an 8th grader on one of the top programs in that state. She'll be part of a very talented six player rotation at the top of this LHP lineup that competes against a tough schedule which will only help her out in the long run. I expect her to turn a lot of heads with her ability to play unselfish basketball with her passing but also show off her footwork when attacking the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["248358"],"_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-6920bcbe5409f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serena is only one of three returners for NMB that averaged over 5 points a game or 3 assists a game. She put up averages of 16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.3 spg, and 2.7 apg last year, so she'll be asked to increade those numbers even more with those two Seniors graduated. Her versatility is huge for this team as she excels in every facet of the game as the featured player for the Chargers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preseason Class 3A All-State:</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["823892"],"_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-691f905d108ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steps onto a bigger stage but should excel with the pieces around her. Long athlete with a high ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.7 spg, 2.2 apg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["248643"],"_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-691f905d10984"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smooth operator that is part of one of the best backcourt duos in the state. Crisp passer and efficient scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.2 spg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["248355"],"_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-691f905d10a5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Best player on a top team. Length, poise, athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 4.4 spg, 1.4 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514608"],"_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-691f905d10b33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Superb athlete with a big motor and a need for speed. Makes hustle plays and does anything/everything for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.5 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":["924660"],"_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-691f905d10c51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Size, strength, and a soft touch. Should flirt with a double-double average this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751625"],"_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-691f905d10d2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Terrific athlete with strength and size. A force in the paint that gets it done on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Last season:</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.8 bpg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->