2021 Players to Watch: South Florida
The Covid-19 pandemic has certainty made things interesting this summer for basketball prospects. The lack of circuit exposure has hurt some more than others. In addition, I can’t even imagine the strain it has put on parents who are looking…
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Continue ReadingThe Covid-19 pandemic has certainty made things interesting this summer for basketball prospects. The lack of circuit exposure has hurt some more than others. In addition, I can’t even imagine the strain it has put on parents who are looking to navigate avenues for their kids to get the best opportunity. We all got dealt a bad hand in one way or another.
With that being said, I would like to highlight some players in the upcoming senior class. The 2021 group has been adversely affected as their opportunity to receive exposure is marginalized by our current state. I hope I can shine a light on some players to help them continue on their college journey.
Let’s get into this list…
Normeisha Williams – Everglades
The Gators are a highly talented group led by head coach Alberto Jemperrie. One of those players is 5-foot-10 Normeisha Williams. Williams averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 rebounds at the Gators power forward spot as a junior. While being a powerful front-court player, Williams is capable to stretch a defense and hit from outside. Against South Plantation, Williams scored a season-high 16 points and knocked down three 3-pointers. Reverting back to her natural area, the rising senior is a capable rebounder on the offensive and defensive end. Against Sebastian River, Williams grabbed ten rebounds (five offensive) in a 38-28 victory. It is no wonder that her on-court versatility has drawn interest from D1 and D2 programs.
Amber Souffrant – Everglades
Sticking in Miramar, Souffrant brings another level of versatility to the Gators lineup. The 5-foot-9 wing averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds as a junior. Souffrant should step into a bigger role as Everglades lost their two top scorers last season to graduation. Against Hialeah Gardens, Souffrant scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Everglades went 16-9 last season before dropping a pair of losses in the district and state tournament. The rising senior has been generating interest from D2, NAIA and JUCO programs.
Alana Sharpe Alana Sharpe 6'0" | C Western | 2021 State FL – Western
Sharpe will look to carry momentum into her final season after receiving her first college offer from Daytona State in late June. The 6-foot-1 forward averaged 8.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as a junior. Sharpe is an excellent rim protector with eight games of ten or more rebounds. Against Piper, Sharpe dominated with 15 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Playing alongside a talented player like 2022 Taja Stephens Taja Stephens 5'8" | CG Western | 2022 State FL should open her up for opportunities. Sharpe should be a consistent double-double threat as a senior leader.
Andrea Daley Andrea Daley 6'0" | SF Miami Country Day | 2021 State FL – Miami Country Day
One of the top programs in South Florida, Daley returns as the Lady Spartans leading scorer (12.8 PPG) and rebounder (8.1 RPG) as a junior. Miami Country Day went 21-10 last season before falling to the Master’s Academy in the 3A final four. The 6-foot forward will look to return the Lady Spartans to the big stage as a senior. Previously, Miami Country Day won six-straight championships and were national champions in 2015 and 2017. The Lady Spartans are led by one of the best coaches in the country in Ochiel Swaby. Daley runs with the Miami Suns/Team Fowles and is one of the top players in the region.
Zaida Gonzalez Zaida Gonzalez 5'9" | CG Palm Beach Lakes | 2021 State FL – Palm Beach Lakes
With two players lost to graduation, Gonzalez returns as the Rams returning scorer (13.6 PPG) and rebounder (6.1 RPG) as a junior. The 5-foot-8 guard helped Palm Beach Lakes to a 21-10 record and a district championship over Jupiter. In that contest, Gonzalez scored 17 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. The rising senior is an excellent rebounder for her size, posting a season-high 15 rebounds against Seminole Ridge. Gonzalez just has the awareness to make plays anywhere on the floor. She received a scholarship offer from Florida International University back in June.
Kayla DeHerrera Kayla DeHerrera 5'7" | PG St Andrews | 2021 State FL – St. Andrew’s
The Scots have something of a basketball factory brewing in their boys and girls programs. Point guard Kayla DeHerrera Kayla DeHerrera 5'7" | PG St Andrews | 2021 State FL leads the charge on the women’s side after averaging 17.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals as a junior. The lightning quick floor leader exploded for 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting in a win over St. John Paul II Academy. On the defensive end, DeHerrera is an excellent on-ball defender with 63 steals last season. DeHerrera is a 2X First-Team All County selection and is a member of the Boca Thunder. She received an offer from Oglethorpe (GA) in late July and Berry University in June.
For any South Florida Girls Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 of follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.