The Preseason Top 5 on the First Coast

Media Day was held this week and after talking to coaches and players and looking at rosters, the picture is very clear for this upcoming season. In this article, we look at my top 5 teams on the First Coast.   #1 Bishop Kenny   Bishop Kenny comes in at number one and it didn't take interviews with coaches and players to make this pick. Replacing Maddie Millar's scoring and clutch shooting will be no easy task, but Bishop Kenny gets the nod in the number one spot. They return one of the best guards in the state and one of the best frontcourt in the state as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='248345' first='Clare' last='Coyle'] has arrived and is recognized as one of the best players in the State. She is good on offense and can really score the ball from the free-throw line and in. She has the ability to pass and her rebounding is at an elite level.   [player_tooltip player_id='217663' first='Sydney' last='Roundtree'] is also also a special forward for BK. She can run, jump out of the gym, and can get to the rim for easy buckets. She is athletic and thrives on defense and in transition. She is also a very good rebounder and has a very good court vision and often does a good job of passing the ball to cutting teammates. The combination of Coyle and Roundtree could be dominant this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='247118' first='Sophia' last='Rueppell'] is the senior leader of BK and their main offensive weapon this season. A void was left by Maddie Millar Rueppel will be the main one filling that scoring void. She is the best ball handler and with Millar gone, she is also the best shooter on the team. She will be the go-to person against zone defenses. Rueppell can handle the ball, shoot it from all levels, and distribute the ball to open teammates.   Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='248348' first='Riley' last='Talbert'] will be a key component for BK. She was a key player last season and with Millar gone her role will be key to free up Rueppell.   #2 Oakleaf   Oakleaf will be a tough out this year with the return of their three seniors. They have the most offensive firepower on the First Coast but are a little undersized in the frontcourt. It's something they are used to and you will have to outscore them to beat them.   [player_tooltip player_id='91660' first='Fantasia' last='James'] is just a straight-out ball player who can score from the inside and outside. James is one of the top players in the State of Florida who can defend three to four positions and can rebound the ball extremely well for her size. Last season she added the three-point shot to her game and was virtually unstoppable on the offensive side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='166160' first='Kaylah' last='Turner'] is one of the top basketballs on the First Coast and in the State of Florida. Turner is a lockdown defender on defense and a great scorer on offense with an elite mid-range game. Turner is an excellent ball handler and the opponent better have an elite handler or Turner will make their night a long one.   [player_tooltip player_id='363458' first='Kamiya' last='Jones'] is the shooter on the team and is confident to shoot it from anywhere on the court. Jones can shoot the three, but she can also penetrate to the rim and score.   #3 Mandarin   Mandarin gets the nod as the number three team on the First Coast and a big reason is an addition of [player_tooltip player_id='247154' first='Yakiya' last='Milton']. Milton is one of the most sought-after prospects and is looking to have a solid season in her 4th year in high school. Milton is 6'4 and can run the floor, she can shoot the "J," and she is an excellent shot blocker in the paint. Milton should thrive in Mandarin's uptempo pace.   Mandarin returns the leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='349326' first='Nykeria' last='Thomas'] who can score with the best of them. She is exceptional in the paint and can run the floor and score in transition.   Thomas and Milton are joined by fellow sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='248287' first='Kiyana' last='Hunter'] who is the primary on-ball defender for the Mustangs. Hunter can also score on all three levels and will have to help fill the void left by 4 seniors who graduated. Seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='352566' first='Bella' last='Sowers'] and Janiah Hunter will also be asked to contribute as well.   #4 Bolles   Bolles has two of the best shooters in the State in 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='349274' first='Ella' last='Stakem'] and 2025 super player, [player_tooltip player_id='346820' first='Abby' last='Knauff']. Stakem shoots the three, primarily, but can take it to the rim if an opponent closes out too fast. Knauff can beat you by attacking the rim or shooting from the outside. Hillary Engert (2024 SG/SF) had a good summer and is primed to make a significant contribution this season. Bolles will look to place last year's Cortney Smith, who did give the Bulldogs some size in the middle.   #5 Ribault   Ribault is one of the best young teams on the First Coast. The Trojans will feature two junior point guards [player_tooltip player_id='495957' first='Kayla' last='Massey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349439' first='Jaide' last='Williams']. Massey puts a lot of pressure on the defense and looks to get inside the paint and score or draw fouls. Williams can shoot on the inside and outside and can also distribute the ball in transition. The Trojan's Sophomore forwards are some of the most athletic on the First Coast: [player_tooltip player_id='430248' first='Destiny' last='Donaldson'] can run the court and is a very good defender; [player_tooltip player_id='934201' first='Takarie' last='Powell'] provides the toughness in the paint on both ends of the court, and Terrannya Medlock can score on the inside and outside. The Trojan's frontcourt players will get after it and their height and length will create problems for the opposition.   There are a lot of quality teams on the First Coast and our rankings will change throughout the season. Ponte Vedra, Nease, San Jose Prep, and Andrew Jackson will also be major players this upcoming season.

Media Day was held this week and after talking to coaches and players and looking at rosters, the picture is very clear for this upcoming season. In this article, we look at my top 5 teams on the First Coast.