Day 2 Recap at the State Tournament
Here is the scoreboard for Day 2 in Lakeland with the 4A-6A championships set: 4A Lake Highland Prep – 62, Cardinal Gibbons – 35 Bishop Kenny – 52, Cocoa – 40 Class 4A Championship: Bishop Kenny vs. Lake Highland Prep…
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Continue ReadingHere is the scoreboard for Day 2 in Lakeland with the 4A-6A championships set:
4A
Lake Highland Prep – 62, Cardinal Gibbons – 35
Bishop Kenny – 52, Cocoa – 40
Class 4A Championship: Bishop Kenny vs. Lake Highland Prep – Saturday @ 12:30 pm
5A
American Heritage – 67, Southeast – 55
Pine Forest – 57, Jones – 50
Class 5A Championship: Pine Forest vs. American Heritage – Saturday @ 3 pm
6A
Wekiva – 80, Braden River – 58
Blanche Ely – 55, Winter Haven 53
Class 6A Championship: Wekiva vs. Blanche Ely – Saturday @ 5:30 pm
In 4A, Lake Highland showed just why they are nationally ranked after a slow first half. BK also started slow, but used HUGE 2nd and 3rd quarters to pull away from Cocoa and get to their second straight championship.
Southeast never went away, but American Heritage controlled their 5A Semifinal in their quest to a three-peat. Pine Forest advances to the championship by keeping Jones at bay in an exciting game.
Braden River couldn’t do anything against Wekiva in the 3rd quarter from what otherwise looked like it would be a great one. Ely hit a buzzer-beater (Mikhia Lumsdon) in the game of the day with a huge 4th quarter that showed a lot of heart against a quality team in Winter Haven.
Here are some standout players from Day 2:
4A
Jasmyne Roberts, BK, C/O 2021 – One of the most impressive players of the day and a top 2021 in the state. Jasmyne had a 23 point, 13 rebound double-double to lead her team to a back-to-back state title appearance. She also went 7 for 7 from the line with 3 assists and 2 steals.
Maddie Millar, BK, C/O 2022 – Maddie is one of the best shooters in the state, especially as only a Sophomore. She hit 4 three’s and finished with 14 points for Bishop Kenny.
Sharale McCormick, CG, C/O 2021 – She led her team in scoring with 13 points against the best team in the state. Sharale shot it well and took care of it against a top tier defense in Lake Highland Prep.
Zanoria Cruz, LHP, C/O 2020 (Western Carolina commit) – Zanoria is the senior leader on this squad who won’t settle for less than a state title. She had a line of 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals with one more game left in her HS career on Championship Saturday.
Stefanie Ingram, LHP, C/O 2022 – Stefanie gets overlooked on such a talented team, but she’s a huge piece that drives their success. She led them in scoring with 13 points and added 3 steals with her defensive pressure.
Nyla Harris, LHP, C/O 2022 – Nyla did some damage in limited time in the dominant win as a top Sophomore in the state and country. She finished with 8 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks as a force in the paint.
5A
Tatyana Wyche, AH, C/O 2021 – Tatyana was phenomenal in their semifinal win with all of the foul trouble they had late in the game. She posted 20 points and 11 rebounds against the scrappy defense of Southeast (Bradenton). They’ll need a big game from Tatyana in the ‘ship to complete the three-peat.
Daniella Aronsky, AH, C/O 2021 – Daniella was one of three starters that fouled out, but she hit 6 three pointers before taking a seat for the night. She sees the court and always knows where the Wyche sisters are, and she scores in bunches of her own with 18 in the semi’s.
Danielle Luckey, PF, C/O 2021 – Danielle had 11 points and 7 rebounds in an enormous win for her team. She did struggle from the FT line, but she’s going to need to put together another big effort against the size of American Heritage in the title game.
Tahnyjia Purifoy, PF, C/O 2022 – Tahnyjia is a top PG in the Sophomore class, and she showed why on a big stage. She ended the night with 10 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.
Amani Fitzgerald, Jones, C/O Unsigned 2020 – Amani only played 11 minutes as she went down with an injury, but she was very productive in her short time. She put up 9 points and pulled down 4 boards in limited action.
Perryauna Youmans, SE, C/O 2021 – Southeast did not shoot the ball well, but Perryauna always finds a way to score with her crafty moves. She had a game-high of 23 in their tough loss.
6A
O’Mariah Gordon, BR, C/O 2021 – She is the best player I’ve seen all year. O scored 27 points, had 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. There is no doubt that she is disappointed, but she will be back.
Aaliyah Capers, BR, C/O 2023 – Aaliyah improved immensely from the start of the season to the end. She’s one of the best posts in the 2023 class, and she was just one point shy of a double-double with 9 points and 10 boards.
Myanna Garrett, Wekiva, C/O Unsigned 2020 – Three Mustangs scored at least 19 points with Myanna scoring the most with 22. She went 8 for 12 from the field and notched a double-double with 12 rebounds. Myanna also had 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in one of her best overall performances this year.
Danesha Boles, Wekiva, C/O Unsigned 2020 – Danesha was one rebound short of a double-double with 9 rebounds and 21 points in the best game I’ve seen Wekiva play. They rarely missed in the third quarter when they pulled away from Braden River.
Shadaria Smith, Wekiva, C/O 2021 – Shadaria was the other point-getter with 19 on a very efficient 8 for 11 from the field. She’s a baller, and this Wekiva team is dangerous when most or all of their playmakers are getting it done which will be needed on Championship Saturday.
Kayla Smith, WH, C/O 2022 – Kayla got into some foul trouble and eventually had to exit, but she was good when she was on the floor. She only had five shots from the field but made the most and ended with 10 points, 5 boards, and 3 steals as a top Sophomore in the state.
Shelby Ricks, WH, C/O Unsigned 2020 – Shelby did all she could as a senior leader on this team, but it wasn’t enough in this heartbreaker. She finished with 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting with 8 rebounds.
Zaria Blake, Ely, C/O 2022 – Zaria is another top 2022 who had a monster double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Tigers in a dramatic win. She was all over the glass and was the key to this win for Ely.
Ja’Leah Williams, Ely, C/O 2021 – Ja’Leah is one of the best players in her class in Florida. I keep saying this because the best players and leaders are taking their teams deep into the postseason. She scored 17 and dished 4, but was most impressive on defense with 5 steals.