Girls basketball season opens Monday: Top teams, players to watch for Northeast Florida
The 2023-24 Florida High School Athletic Association girls basketball season opens Monday. See the Times-Union's previews for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
STARTING FIVE: CLASS 5A-7A TEAMS
Beachside
An already-promising Barracudas team added two impact transfers. Madi Ray, formerly at Nease, gives the Barracudas a 6-2 post presence who can score (7.8 points, 6.2 rebounds in her freshman year). And junior outside sharpshooter Kendall Kane returns to St. Johns County from DME as an outside threat. Since Beachside already returned four proven scorers in sophomores Anni Ament, Morgan Cremen and Ari Walker and junior Sophia Iskander (10.5 points per game), both the future and the present are bright.
Mandarin
Coming off their first-ever championship in the Gateway Conference, the Mustangs are an early favorite for a District 1-7A title repeat. Nykeria Thomas (14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.2 steals) comes back as not only Mandarin's top scorer but one of the top all-around players in the Gateway Conference. While they must replace Auburn signee Yakiya Milton, the lineup is solid, including senior guard Kiyana Hunter (6.5 points, 2.1 assists) and San Jose Prep transfer Kourtney Johnson (8.6 points, 3.4 assists).
Oakleaf
A final-four qualifier from last February, Oakleaf faces the formidable task of replacing two of the program's giants in Fantasia James and Kaylah Turner after the pair signed with FIU and Alabama A&M, respectively. But the cupboard isn't bare. Trista Brown, who worked her way into the starting lineup with averages of 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals, likely to improve further this year.
Ponte Vedra
It's bombs away from 3-point land for the Sharks, among the most prolific and successful outside shooting teams in Northeast Florida. When their aim is true, Ponte Vedra is a threat to anybody. Seniors Morgan Gavazzi, Kennedy Rosendahl and Taylor Perce lead the bombardment, with all three hitting above 30 percent from beyond the arc and taking aim at every opportunity. Not the tallest team, Ponte Vedra relies on the energy, anticipation and strength of Maya Richards (8.8 points, 7.8 rebounds) to compete on the boards.
Ridgeview
This lineup is all about triple trouble. The three Blocton sisters — senior Nia, junior Nacoya and sophomore Narissa — combine to average nearly 30 points per game. Nia Blocton, just signed with Florida Southern, has a chance to enter rare territory by averaging a triple-double in four consecutive seasons. Last year's Panthers won 22 games, advancing to the regional final before Daytona Beach Mainland edged them by four points.
See boys basketball previews here: Northeast Florida's top teams, players to watch
STARTING FIVE: CLASS 1A-4A TEAMS
Bishop Kenny
Watch out for the Big Three. The Crusaders return three Division I signees and they complement each other superbly. Furman signee Clare Coyle (10.9 points, 9.2 rebounds) is a rebounding machine in the paint, UAB signee Riley Talbert (10.4 points) is a 43 percent 3-point ace and Air Force signee Sydney Roundtree (7.6 points) brings the quickness and length to disrupt opponents on defense. Next in line is 5-10 freshman Kathleen Crawley, already on the recruiting radar, as Bishop Kenny chases a sixth consecutive final-four visit.
Bolles
Bishop Kenny doesn't have the only terrific trio in District 4-4S. Bolles brings back its leading scorer in junior Abby Knauff, an all-around threat with 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 38 percent accuracy from outside. But this is no one-player team. Seniors Ella Stakem (8.0 points), committed to Belmont Abbey, takes aim from outside, and Hilary Englert (5.9 points, 5.5 rebounds) excels on the boards. The next wave is exciting, too: Sophomore Evie Freeman and freshman Presley Norman both topped 7 points per game last year.
Providence
Regional champions in February, Providence will have to replace some veteran leadership but brings back a promising junior guard tandem. Explosive and quick, Janai Jordan averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds, and Janie Boyd averaged 15.2 points in her freshman 2021-22 season before missing last year. Kasey Davey and Julianna Baskin, both sophomores, are among the other key Stallions on an opening roster that includes no seniors.
Ribault
The undisputed all-time queens of high school girls basketball in Northeast Florida, Ribault is gaining strength once more and might be all set for another deep postseason run. Junior Destiny Donaldson broke out last season with 15.3-point and 6.6-rebound averages. Then add defensive ace Kayla Massey (3.1 steals per game), plenty of returning depth and the energy that made the Pressing Lady Trojans a giant in the Sunshine State game.
San Jose Prep
Independent no more, the Storm rolls into Class 3A this season and could be dangerous. San Jose Prep won 16 games last year and returns much of its lineup, including Terrielle Clark (8.8 points, 8.6 rebounds), Jazlynn Curtis (7.4 points), Lamiyah Hogans (10.9 points) and Joy Wright (6.3 points, 3.9 rebounds).
STARTING FIVE: BACKCOURT PLAYERS TO WATCH
G Kelly Cramer, Sr., St. Joseph
Even as the overwhelming main threat for St. Joseph, opponents still couldn't shut her down. Cramer averaged 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.7 steals, and she's racked up 1,200 points in three years of Flashes basketball.
G London Jenkins, Sr., Fleming Island
The only senior on a young roster, Jenkins will be more important than ever in 2023-24. Fortunately for Fleming Island, she's shown that she's up to the challenge, averaging 20.1 points, 3.9 assists and 4.9 steals last winter. Juniors Victoria Noble and Ariana Pierce also come back for the Golden Eagles.
G Mary Kate Kent, Sr., St. Johns Country Day
Don't count out the Spartans. Even without Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball Taliah Scott, now at Arkansas, Kent leads an outside shooting brigade that will cause serious trouble for opponents. The Newberry signee averaged 13.5 points, hitting 34 percent of threes.
G Kendall Shorstein, Sr., Episcopal
With a scoring average of 10.1 points last year and likely more on the way in the current Eagle offense, Shorstein is an on-target outside shooter in a tough District 3-3A. This is an experienced lineup, with Hannah Bittner, Claire Coogan and Zara Griffith also returning regulars.
G Kennedy Waymer, Sr., Paxon
The Golden Eagles take flight with perhaps the most experienced backcourt in Jacksonville girls basketball. Waymer (12.5 points, 3.1 assists), also a lightning-quick softball standout, joins fellow senior Ansley Hicks (10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds) for their third year starting together.
STARTING FIVE: FRONTCOURT PLAYERS TO WATCH
F Aniyah Fisher, Sr., St. Augustine
At 5-9, Fisher helped the Yellow Jackets to a 10-game winning streak that led to an 18-win season and secured a Class 5A playoff berth.
F Kali Harris, Sr., Menendez
With 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, Harris is a double-double threat on a stable Falcons team that already brings back valuable cohesion from last year. Dasani Newsome and Sophia Scibelli also return, so Menendez returns its top three scorers.
F Kennedy Hill, Sr., Jackson
Speed is part of the game for Hill, committed to Alabama A&M on a track scholarship, but not the only thing. She averaged 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals last year, and forms a solid core for the Tigers with juniors Jaycie Corley and Kimora Hester.
F Maci Robinson, Sr., Nease
Year after year, it's next player up for Nease. Last year, it was Cami Robinson jumping up to the scoring role. This year, it's Maci Robinson's turn to carry more of the scoring load. She averaged 4.0 points and 4.2 rebounds last season but looks likely to become a primary scorer for the 20-win Panthers.
F Shadia Santacruz, Sr., North Florida Educational
The Eagles are always ready to make some noise in Class 2A, and they're coming off a district championship. Santacruz led last year's offense with averages of 14.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
STARTING FIVE: YOUNG PLAYERS ON THE RISE
G Audrey Beyer, So., Tocoi Creek
Beyer is a tall (6-0) guard with a deadly outside shot on a young Toros squad. A transfer from Bartram Trail, she immediately displayed her skills in Tocoi Creek's preseason opener with 27 points.
G Yamise Haygood, So., Baker County
The Wildcats quietly climbed the standings last year at 17-6, with big-time contributions from Haygood. In her freshman season, she averaged 16.9 points and 3.3 assists to lead Baker County.
C Imani Henderson, So., Atlantic Coast
She's already among the top interior defenders for Duval County public schools. As a freshman, Henderson recorded 7.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Guard Salyse Dillihay is back on the perimeter, too, a good sign for Atlantic Coast's continued improvement.
C Leandrea McCloud, Jr., White
McCloud helped the Commanders make history last season, earning their first district title in a half-century of girls basketball. She averaged a double-double with 11.5 points and 14.7 rebounds.
G Alanna Tatum, So., University Christian
Tatum hasn't needed long to rise high on the list of Jacksonville's quickest and most explosive guards. She averaged 16.6 points to lead UC's run to the Region 1-2A semifinal.
2023-24 GIRLS BASKETBALL CLASSIFICATIONS
* Denotes 2022-23 district champion
District 1-7A: Atlantic Coast, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Flagler Palm Coast, Mandarin*, Sandalwood, Tocoi Creek.
District 3-6A: Beachside, First Coast, Fleming Island, Fletcher, Nease, Oakleaf*, Orange Park, Ponte Vedra.
District 2-5A: Baker County, Clay, Columbia, Middleburg, Tallahassee Rickards, Ridgeview*.
District 3-5A: Englewood, Parker, Riverside, Stanton, Westside, White*.
District 4-5A: Deltona, Daytona Beach Mainland*, Menendez, Pine Ridge, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, St. Augustine.
District 3-4A: Fernandina Beach, Jackson, Raines, Ribault*, West Nassau, Yulee.
District 4-4A: Bishop Kenny*, Bolles, Paxon, Wolfson.
District 5-4A: Gainesville Eastside, Keystone Heights, North Marion*, Palatka, Alachua Santa Fe, Suwannee.
District 2-3A: Bradford, P.K. Yonge*, Ocala Trinity Catholic.
District 3-3A: Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Episcopal, Providence*, San Jose Prep, Trinity Christian.
District 2-2A: Covenant, Eagle's View, Harvest Community, North Florida Educational*
District 3-2A: First Coast Christian, Florida Deaf, Impact Christian, St. Johns Country Day*, St. Joseph, University Christian.
District 5-1A: Branford, Hamilton County, Hilliard, Mayo Lafayette, Madison County*.
District 6-1A: Bell, Fort White, Hawthorne*, Newberry, Union County.
ALL-TIME NORTHEAST FLORIDA FHSAA CHAMPIONS
Bishop Kenny: 1990, 1991, 1992
Bradford: 1995
Fletcher: 1976
Keystone Heights: 1994, 1995, 1997
Nease: 1999
Ribault: 1988, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Shekinah Christian: 2006
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville high school girls basketball 2023-24: Top teams, players
