Top 10 South Florida Programs

South Florida Girls basketball has the talent to compete with anybody, from powerhouses to nationally ranked studs, these teams lead the pack. #1 - Ely Where I am from we don’t give out nicknames until they are earned, but the players in this program can call themselves whatever they want, they’ve earned it. “The Duo” Miami commit [player_tooltip player_id="91491" first="Ja’Leah" last="Williams"], and [player_tooltip player_id="219986" first="Mikhia" last="Lumsdon"] will look to lead this group back to Lakeland on their way out. With the Junior trio of Kone, Simmons, and Blake, the defending 6A champs have one of the best cores in the state. Palm Beach State commits Janiyah Moore, who is the former BCAA All-Star game MVP, and Jaylen Ponder are another two players for the tigers that just speak to their depth. Ely is full of college-level energy and athleticism. I am a fan of how hard they play, as they showed in the state title game, they’re going to go down swinging, and it speaks to the job Northern Division Coach of the year JR McNabb, has come in and done within two years. 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="217668" first="Gianna" last="Corbitt"] already has a productive season of varsity under her belt. With Corbitt and [player_tooltip player_id="219925" first="Janessa" last="Kelley"], who’s arguably the best freshman in the area and will be next in line at the helm. Ely is a powerhouse for years to come. #2 - American Heritage (Plantation) It’s no secret the 5A champs are loaded with talent. With the Wyche twins, who together earned a Fab Five selection, and the guard play they have, they have the most complete starting five in the area. A more than a serviceable veteran in [player_tooltip player_id="146971" first="Daniella" last="Aronsky"], although her identity is floor general, the Emory commit finished with 19 against national powerhouse Montverde. Her ability to facilitate an offense and create for herself is what makes her a college guard. They have leadership from different positions, in crunch time they’re most dangerous combo is [player_tooltip player_id="91549" first="Taliyah" last="Wyche"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91557" first="Sydney" last="Shaw"]. [player_tooltip player_id="91566" first="Joey" last="Delancy"] is a great scorer, who is learning how to play with bigs who command attention, a skill that will only help her at the next level. Coach Farias preaches defense, and it shows in the way this team guards. His ability to motivate this group to play hard is a recipe for a repeat. As the chemistry comes together for this group, I think the structure of the system and culture they have will be the biggest thing, a lot of times with so much talent everyone buying in is half the battle. If they can get contribution off the bench, where they have some younger talent learning by experience, the sky is the limit for this group. #3 - St. Thomas Aquinas Coming off losing Division 1 signees [player_tooltip player_id="91406" first="Angelee" last="Rodriguez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91381" first="Bella" last="LaChance"], the raiders are in good hands for the future. Headlined by 2021 Arkansas commit [player_tooltip player_id="91500" first="Samara" last="Spencer"], with Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="154841" first="Jada" last="Green"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91572" first="Breanna" last="Gustave"], STA has a great core. Coach Berens has done an exceptional job during his time, other than a 23 win season, and being the 8A runner-up, from what I have noticed, when players leave his program they’re well prepared for the next level. The Raiders will also feature 2023 Country day transfer [player_tooltip player_id="91641" first="Karina" last="Gordon"], coming off a great freshman campaign. Gordon can really shoot it and understands how to defend. STA has become a powerhouse under Coach Berens, if we are lucky enough this year, them against Ely is a matchup that I have my popcorn ready for. #4 - Miami Country Day George Washington commit [player_tooltip player_id="91494" first="Andrea" last="Daley"] is a high energy forward who knows how to use her athleticism for trips to the line. Coming off averaging about 13 a game, Daley will continue to be solid for them as a senior. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="91642" first="Kristina" last="Godfrey"] shoots it well, she recently had a nice game against top-ten American Heritage finishing with 16. Freshman recruits [player_tooltip player_id="219988" first="Charisse" last="Martin"] and [player_tooltip player_id="217667" first="Kayla" last="Nelms"], are testaments to Country day’s youth movement, they will continue to develop and learn from the best teacher there is experience. [player_tooltip player_id="219989" first="Isabella" last="Guevara"] is talented as well. Despite losing four impactful transfers, if anyone could still compete with the best it would be Coach Swaby. He has built Miami Country Day into a national powerhouse, and I will not count his team out. #5 - Miami Norland [player_tooltip player_id="91509" first="Jaiyah" last="Harris-Smith"], is the type of player who’s energy is contagious. The senior Guard is crafty, aggressive, will defend, and creates for herself and others. Freshman phenoms [player_tooltip player_id="221841" first="Shania" last="Swan"] and Ka’zahria Johnson are showing they have arrived. Johnson is shooting over 50% from the field, standing at 6’2 she and Swan are a nice future 1-2 punch. I imagine Jaiyah is a good mentor because she comes from programs where she coexisted with other great players, she will get her teammates easy buckets and does not shy away from the moment in crunch time. The Vikings are averaging around 50 ppg. And these three make up for over 30 a night. Norland is in good hands with them being able to learn from Harris-Smith. #6 - Miami Christian Any team led by [player_tooltip player_id="91546" first="Gabriela" last="Bendeck"], is dangerous. The All-Dade First Team selection is coming off averaging 19 a game, as a junior. Enjulina Lopez has great size and mobility can play multiple positions and is averaging double figures. [player_tooltip player_id="244205" first="Ziul" last="Gonzalez"] is a natural hooper with a good feel for the game, she has the potential to lead the Victors in the future. The 5’6 Freshman impressed me at the Top250 in Orlando in September, learning from Bendeck will be good for her. Although they sit at 6-3, of their 3 losses, one comes from #2 Heritage-Plantation, who has the talent across the board to compete nationally, and a one-point loss to #5 Miami Norland. Their record doesn’t necessarily reflect their true identity. #7 - American Heritage (Boca Delray) At 5-2, the Stallions have the talent to compete with anybody. Led by Wisconsin Commit [player_tooltip player_id="91559" first="Jordana" last="Codio"], who was recently named to the Palm Beach County Fab Five. Codio is a do-it-all player who can play 1-5. Codio is the type of talent who might have a full page to herself on opposing teams’ scouting reports. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="151282" first="Alancia" last="Ramsey"] earned a Next Five selection as well. Ramsey is a beast in the paint and on the glass, she had a 22 rebound outing against #4 Miami Country Day. Codio and Ramsey play with confidence to them that is fun to watch, any talk that comes from those two will be backed up. Freshman Katie Hession is a star, simple as that. These three are one of the heavyweights in the state, in terms of core talent, it’s scary to think they have another year together if they all choose to stay. It’s hard for me not to route for this group, Coach Studley has some highly talented, high character athletes. #8 Westminster Academy At 7-2 with one of their losses being a 2-point loss to #6 Miami Christian, WA is a program that garners well-earned respect in Broward. Led by Southern Miss commit and Fab Five selection [player_tooltip player_id="91499" first="Emma" last="Wallhoff"], who I think is a steal for any mid-major, the Taurasi comparison by my colleague is more than justified. Wallhoff plays for her mom, its always interesting to see the on-court relationship when parents coach their kid, they remind me of former Creighton star Doug McDermott and his father Greg, where Doug carried the load for them offensively as Emma does. What I like about [player_tooltip player_id="151173" first="Claire" last="Erickson"] is that she doesn’t seem to force the effort. The Miami Herald First Team selection has a great catch and shoot the jumper, and can get in the lane for floaters. With the way she understands facilitating, Erickson has a big upside for having two more seasons to develop under Coach Wallhoff. Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id="215661" first="Adrianna" last="Atkinson"] recently committed to Oglethorpe University. Atkinson has a brother, Paul, with plans to play a grad year at a Power 5 school. Another solid front-court player they have is [player_tooltip player_id="243925" first="Taelyn" last="Carey"], a 6-1 Sophomore coming off averaging double figures for U-School. Taelyn is the brother of former five-star recruit Vernon Carey. I always feel that it gives players an edge to come from a family where they are exposed to high-level basketball from a young age. With Atkinson and Carey, the Lions are in good hands in the front-court. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="243895" first="Lena" last="Girardi"]’s ability to be an X-factor scoring the ball makes WA even deeper. Girardi recently earned an all-tournament team selection just before Christmas, there is some very solid young talent in the program as well. #9 Palm Beach Lakes Led by [player_tooltip player_id="91498" first="Zaida" last="Gonzalez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91541" first="Deborrah" last="Seitu-Redmon"], these two seniors are a dynamic duo. Gonzalez, the FIU commit, was named to Palm Beach County’s Fab Five after averaging nearly 14 a game last season, and her backcourt mate was Next Five. They’re most impressive outing, a game where Gonzalez had 35, 10 rebounds, and 7 steals. Seitu-Redmon, went for 28, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. These two are a threat to go for a double-double on any given night. Seitu-Redmon is a lockdown defender, and her athleticism stands out. Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id="243967" first="Casey" last="Lewis"] is another dangerous scorer who is a good complimentary piece, and she rebounds well. Assuming they both return, Lewis and Trinity Goldwire will have a year at the helm after being able to learn from the Fab Five selections, they both play for an Essence program that puts out a lot of high-level talent. This a good talented group, the rams have to be thinking Lakeland, after a trip to the final four a season ago. #10 Miami High Led by the lefty [player_tooltip player_id="244124" first="Kiara" last="Cruz"], the combo guard is a big part of why they are defending 7A champs. Cruz can score and anticipates well defensively, what I like most is that if you run the floor she will find you, she finished with 24 against #2 American Heritage who is a defensive-minded team. [player_tooltip player_id="243966" first="Danajah" last="Peterson"] is a nightly double-double threat. The junior had a 22 rebound game this season, and 20 points to go along with it. [player_tooltip player_id="243961" first="Janay" last="Quinn"] was a SUTS Scouting Report All-Dade selection a season ago, she is a high energy player who will do a little bit of everything for the Stings. Katheryn Novoa and Rosa Prieto are capable young players as well. Coach Baumgarten is no stranger to developing talent, he has helped place some high-level talent in different places over the years, even producing a leaguer in Beatrice Mompremier, who the Lady Stings hold a showcase in honor of.