Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 5

Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 5 By Michael Wholey 1/12/21 9:00 AM EST As we head into month three of high school basketball, we will continue to update you of all that is going on in Florida. Here is the Florida Roundup: News Around Florida Volume 5.   Player Performances American Heritage Plantation traveled to Atlanta for the She Got Game Classic. In an unusual scheduling matchup, American Heritage got matched up against IMG Academy (also from Florida) and AH pulled out the 54-46 win. In the loss, 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="243964" first="Catalina" last="Ion"] had 20 points for IMG Academy. [player_tooltip player_id="244166" first="Gabrielle" last="Anderson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="244167" first="Jordan" last="Campbell"] both played well for IMG while in Atlanta. <img class="wp-image-243325 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Syd-e1609867805460-160x300.jpeg" alt="" width="140" height="261" />After defeating IMG Academy in game # 1, American Heritage was defeated by Winston Salem 58-47 in the 2nd game of the event. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91557" first="Sydney" last="Shaw"] has been impressive for American Heritage as she adjusts to her new school and new teammates. She earned game MVP after scoring 23 points, and notching 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the win vs IMG. In addition to American Heritage and IMG Academy, Montverde Academy, DME Academy, and Central Point Academy also traveled to Atlanta for the She Got Game Classic. Coming home with two wins, Montverde defeated Forest Park 62-53 behind strong play of Florida State signee [player_tooltip player_id="145091" first="Mariana" last="Valenzuela"], [player_tooltip player_id="219953" first="Fernanda" last="Ovalle"], and [player_tooltip player_id="219933" first="Mjracle" last="Sheppard"]. Trailing by 5 in the 4th quarter, Montverde finished the game on a 17-3 run to end regulation and into overtime. DME Academy went 2-1 at the event defeating Trinity Christian 65-55 and Carolina Prep Academy 58-55 while losing to Winston Salem Christian National 56-31. The Trinity Christian win was their final game of the event and after trailing at half, outscored their opponent by 12 points in the second half. 5’10 guard Raissa Nsubua, 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="219957" first="Taylor" last="Gardner"], and 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="91487" first="Bella" last="Weary"] were all solid across the 3 games. <img class="alignleft wp-image-243329 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Sil-e1609868221983-237x300.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="308" />Central Pointe Academy took their first loss of the season after starting 10-0. They went 2-1 in Georgia, knocking off TPLS Christian Academy out of Richmond, VA 52-45 and New Horizons Prep Academy out of Smyrna, GA 81-47 but were knocked off by AZ Compass Prep out of Chandler, AZ 49-41 in day # 2 of the event. It is obvious that Head Coach Wesley Arocho is not scared to schedule difficult opponents and play in big events as they have anybody and anyone that is willing to play. They will continue the challenging scheduling with upcoming games vs Miami Country Day, Braden River, St. Thomas Aquinas, Montverde Academy, DME Sports Academy in the next six weeks. Central Pointe trio of 2022s continue to be impressive leading Central Pointe in their winning ways. 6’0 [player_tooltip player_id="219996" first="Daniela" last="Gonzalez"] can play both the wing and forward spots, while [player_tooltip player_id="219994" first="Naylee" last="Cortes"] can play both the guard and wing spots at 5’9 and [player_tooltip player_id="219993" first="Silkiari" last="Vazquez"] is the teams skilled point guard. Playing without 6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="219992" first="Harsimran" last="Kaur"], Central Pointe has a chance to make some major noise both in state and nationally with a healthy Kaur giving them some much needed height and additional depth.   Game of the Week: Ribault v Bishop Kenny <img class="wp-image-243326 size-medium alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Nigeria-Harkless-e1609867890473-165x300.jpeg" alt="" width="165" height="300" />In a matchup between two the area’s top teams, the game came down to the last possession and Ribault defeated Bishop Kenny 51-50 in OT. Uncommitted 2021 6’2 post [player_tooltip player_id="91542" first="Nigeria" last="Harkless"] was solid scoring 22 points displaying her athleticism, versatility, and ability to play inside out. Fellow Senior 5’3 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="244168" first="Samaya" last="Carroll"] chipped in with 14 points and [player_tooltip player_id="244169" first="Lovie" last="Flowers"] was big in OT helping to seal the win with 4 points in OT including two free throws during crunch time. For Bishop Kenny it was the [player_tooltip player_id="91482" first="Jasmyne" last="Roberts"] show, who single handedly tried to will Bishop Kenny to the win. She finished with 37 points including all 8 of her teams points in overtime. In the end, it was not enough as cold shooting in the second half limited BK to just 17 points in the 2nd half after scoring 25 in the first. [player_tooltip player_id="91575" first="Maddie" last="Millar"] had 9 points in 1st half knocking down three 3-pointers but went 0/7 in 2nd half and OT and was held scoreless.   College Decisions <img class=" wp-image-243327 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Resized_28EA1010-1-300x266.jpeg" alt="" width="253" height="224" />   Forward [player_tooltip player_id="220023" first="Normeshia" last="Williams"] (Everglades HS / Lady Blue Chips) recently verbally committed to Webber International University. The 5’11 Senior can play with her back to basket as well as face up and is fairly versatile. 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="244134" first="Bella" last="Desjardins"] (Charlotte HS) recently joined the 1,000 point club. The 5’5 Senior guard is averaging 14.7 points per game through 7 games.   We will look to continue to cover news all across the state. Our audience supplies us with some of our best information. Keep us updated on Florida news be emailing me at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DMing me through <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/WholeyPrepHoops">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://www.Instagram.com/WholeyPrepHoops">Instagram</a> at <a href="http://www.Twitter.com/WholeyPrepHoops">@WholeyPrepHoops</a>.