Practice Breakdown: American Heritage – Delray
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I headed up to American Heritage – Delray to check out the Stallions practice before the holiday. American Heritage began the season with a 64-36 victory over Gulliver Prep last weekend. The Stallions finished 15-12 last season for fourth-year coach…
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Continue ReadingI headed up to American Heritage – Delray to check out the Stallions practice before the holiday. American Heritage began the season with a 64-36 victory over Gulliver Prep last weekend. The Stallions finished 15-12 last season for fourth-year coach Brett Studley. A lot of firepower returns for American Heritage as they look to improve on last seasons mark.
Let’s get into the breakdown…
2022 Jordana Codio Jordana Codio 6'1" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL was a DNP at practice last night. The 6-foot-1 superstar guard is dealing with a minor ankle injury. Codio averaged well over 20 points per game in her first two seasons with the Stallions and is already committed to the Wisconsin Badgers. She is the type of player that will have an instant impact on the floor and make her teammates better. Codio can get into the lane and finish in traffic thanks to her size. In addition, Codio can elevate over her defender for mid-range and 3-point shots. Her potential is off the charts and she can get even better before puts on a Badger uniform.
2023 Taylor Romano Taylor Romano 5'6" | CG American Heritage (Delray) | 2023 State FL was the most consistent outside shooter during team drills. The 5-foot-6 guard led the Stallions in 3-point makes when the Stallions split into team competition. Romano has a quick release and a natural arc on her attempts. Moreover, Romano was crisp passing the ball and setting up her teammates in motion. A sophomore on paper, Romano has been in the Stallions system since she was a seventh-grader. Her veteran experience should help some of the Stallions younger players. Romano led American Heritage-Delray with 21 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers against the Raiders on Saturday.
2023 Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL appears to be the Stallions frontcourt specialist with growing versatility. The sophomore forward/center knocked down an adequate amount of 3-point attempts during drills. Ramsey averaged a double-double of 13.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game as a freshman last season. I think her shooting ability will only sharpen and thus make her a match-up problem for defenders. Against Gulliver Prep, Ramsey scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. You can imagine the amount of extra opportunities she creates being a double-double threat for her teammates. Added possessions in games can be a killer for opponents.
2024 point guard Khadee Hession Khadee Hession 5'10" | CG St Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State FL could provide a big boost to the Stallions state title hopes. The 5-foot-9 Hession is a transfer from perennial power Miami Country Day. Against Gulliver Prep, Hession scored ten points and had five assists. Moreover, her backcourt skill on defense contributed to five steals. I quickly recognized she had a strong handle and looked smooth going through drills. Hession has natural backcourt skills that should only improve at her new home.
2024 Kiara Charles was a player I came away impressed with. The 5-foot-7 Charles supplemented Romano with her 3-point shooting during team drills. I think any sort of depth the Stallions can utilize will provide huge dividends to their long term goals. Charles should progress as the season moves along. 2024’s Selma Drucker and Dylan Rogers also fit into this category as well. The Stallions even have an eight-grader in Jayleen Nunez Jayleen Nunez 5'4" | PG The Kings Academy | 2025 State FL who should benefit from varsity experience. It doesn’t hurt either to have a D-1 player to lean on for advice during practice drills.
Overall Breakdown:
In case you didn’t notice, American Heritage – Delray does not have a senior on their team. You can make an argument that Romano or Codio are basically seniors with the amount of experience they already have. Codio is a three-level scorer and arguably the best player in the state. This team is not going to have a problem scoring the basketball nor one I would want to get into a track meet with. I think for the Stallions to be a championship team, their younger players are going to need to develop and provide added depth. In addition, I think their ability to defend the ball/off the dribble will need to continue to improve. However, Jordana Codio Jordana Codio 6'1" | SF Montverde Academy | 2022 State FL can minimize all of those concerns with her talent to carry a game on her own.
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