Early Matchups to Watch: South Florida

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! The early part of the holiday season also means basketball is back across South Florida. Many area teams are already participating in local tournaments and showcases. For this piece, I would like to take a look at some matchups to watch starting next week. Things get rolling pretty fast here in the region. Calvary Christian Academy @ Miami Christian - 12/02 This is a good cross-county matchup between the Eagles and Victors. Calvary Christian Academy has been well-balanced thus far with five players in double-figures. As a result, the Eagles are off to a 3-0 start. One of those victories was against power <strong>Miami Country Day</strong>. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="91595" first="Samiyah" last="Briggs"] has led the way with nearly 16 points and eight rebounds per game. Behind Briggs is a talented group that includes [player_tooltip player_id="220010" first="Elizabeth" last="Schnell"] (13 ppg) and all-everything [player_tooltip player_id="221649" first="Markeli" last="Jones-Tynes"]. The 5-foot-9 point guard is already averaging seven assists per game. Miami Christian, the defending 2A champions, are led by 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="154908" first="Enjulina" last="Gonzalez"]. The 5-foot-9 season had 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight steals in a win over <strong>Nova</strong>. This is one of many games that will test Miami Christian early. The Victors also play <strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> next Tuesday. Miami Christian’s loss was a 25-point defeat to power <strong>Plantation American Heritage</strong>. I wouldn't read too much into that. King’s Academy @ Calvary Christian Academy - 12/3 This is another game for the Lions against a strong Fort Lauderdale area team. King’s Academy dropped a nine-point decision to <strong>Westminster</strong> <strong>Academy</strong> on Thursday (11/18). The Lions have a fantastic freshman in [player_tooltip player_id="243896" first="Jade" last="Jones"]. The 5-foot-11 Jones is a mismatch problem with her size and athleticism. She is already one of the best players in Palm Beach County. The Lions also have 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="247134" first="Janessa" last="Williams"] and powerful forward/center [player_tooltip player_id="244003" first="Monique" last="Joseph"]. This is a big game for King's Academy against its county neighbor, especially when you consider how well Calvary Christian Academy has played so far. Miami Christian @ Miami Palmer Trinity - 12/03 The Falcons won a six-point game against <strong>Cardinal Newman</strong> and dropped one to <strong>Somerset Academy Silver Palms</strong> by the same margin. Overall, Palmer Trinity is young, but are led by 2023 <strong>Columbia</strong> commit <strong>Emily</strong> <strong>Montes</strong>. 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="217669" first="Jade" last="Leon"]</strong> averaged 13.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. A matchup against Miami Christian is a good chance to evaluate where Palmer Trinity is early on. Regardless, I think the Falcons will continue to get better throughout the season. For any South Florida Prep Girls Hoops news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;