The Quarantine Report: Players in New Homes
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Some exceptional talent in Florida is on the move, these players change the climate in their respective areas. Mia Avin Mia Avin 5'5" | PG Archbishop McCarthy HS | 2022 State FL 5’5 2022 (Coral Springs to Archbishop McCarthy) Avin,…
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Continue ReadingSome exceptional talent in Florida is on the move, these players change the climate in their respective areas.
Mia Avin Mia Avin 5'5" | PG Archbishop McCarthy HS | 2022 State FL 5’5 2022 (Coral Springs to Archbishop McCarthy)
Avin, like the rest of her new Archbishop McCarthy teammates, just fits the mold of Coach Norris’ play style. She is very crafty around the rim, and she is another Junior that can grow with the program. She comes from Coral Springs along with Senior G/F Isabella Reynolds Isabella Reynolds 5'10" | SF Archbishop McCarthy | 2021 State FL . Avin is a very serviceable shooter, she gets good arch on her jumper, and she can even shoot the pull up. My favorite thing about Avin is that she knows how to use her body to shield off defenders on her drives. With the way she can score, she will be a very nice addition to a Mavericks team, thinking Lakeland.
Kirsten Woods 5’5 2022 (Coral Springs Charter to Archbishop McCarthy)
What I enjoyed watching from Woods is that she doesn’t do too much with the ball, she scores it effectively. She showed her ability to finish in the lane, and knockdown catch-and-shoot threes. I think the talent she will be surrounded by at Arch Bishop will really benefit her. She is an active rebounder for her size and will push the tempo when she gets it. The junior has a nice runner when she penetrates to finish over the trees, her ability to distribute the ball is what makes her a prospect. Woods is part of a solid foundation of younger players Archbishop McCarthy has in the program.
Amari Mackey 5’7 2021 (Nova to Archbishop McCarthy)
Mackey is an aggressive player who plays with an energy that impressed me. She is a good addition to an Archbishop McCarthy program who have their sights set on Lakeland. Mackey will drive hard and distribute and showed her ability to finish through contact. She played for a Miami Suns program that churns out good talent year after year. The senior will rebound defensively and then can initiate the break. She also will look to make things happen defensively, Mackey is trying to dictate as opposed to just containing. Another thing I noticed is that the ball doesn’t stick to her, if she doesn’t have anything she moves it, a tendency college coaches will appreciate.
Isabella Reynolds Isabella Reynolds 5'10" | SF Archbishop McCarthy | 2021 State FL 5’10 2021 (Coral Springs to Archbishop McCarthy)
With her size and the way she can handle the ball, it’s no surprise she’s receiving interest for the next level. Reynolds has very good timing on her blocks and is able to be a problem for smaller guards driving against her. What impresses me is that even though Reynolds at times was the tallest on the floor, she doesn’t allow that to pigeonhole her to playing only in the paint. She will attack the lane and finish with either hand and can start the break and throw a dime to a teammate. Averaging just under double figures a season ago, she makes the move to Archbishop McCarthy being a senior who can play multiple positions.
Joey Delancy Joey Delancy 5'8" | CG American Heritage | 2022 State FL 5’8 2022 (Nova to American Heritage)
Delancy’s move to American Heritage is one that shakes up the scene of South Florida high school basketball, and even the state. She played with Daniella Aronsky Daniella Aronsky 5'8" | CG American Heritage | 2021 State FL who is the heart and soul of that team, since the 5th grade. It’s no secret that she can score the ball with the best of them. Coming into a program under Coach Farias where he stresses the defensive end of the floor is going to be huge for her development. She prefers the PG spot, but Delancy can play the 1-5. Heritage will challenge her more academically as well, and the talent around her with Aronsky, Shaw, and the Wyche twins is a recipe for a four-peat.
Sydney Shaw Sydney Shaw 5'9" | SG DME Academy | 2022 State FL 5’9 2022 (Miami Country Day to American Heritage)
Shaw’s move from national powerhouse Miami Country Day is another one that really tips the scale of Florida High School basketball. The Miami Suns Junior Guard is smooth, but don’t let her easy demeanor fool you, Coach Farias describes her as one of his hardest workers, high praise from the man in charge. Her handle is as good as any guard I’ve seen, jump shot is very good off the bounce, and she has a plethora of moves to get in the lane and finish whether it’s a pull-up or crafty finish over the bigs with either hand. What I like most about Shaw is that as good as she is with the ball, she’s unselfish, which is what gives her the ability to play with other great players. Most importantly she is bought into the system, learning to play man defense under Coach Farias, will be of huge help to her when she gets to the next level.
Emani Theodule Emani Theodule 5'6" | CG American Heritage | 2022 State FL 5’7 2022 (Miami Country Day to American Heritage)
Theodule has a good grasp on defensive rotations and plays actively looking to force turnovers. Her mechanics on her jump shot are very good, she will shoot it off the bounce or spotting up. I think can flourish under Coach Farias’ system because she is a willing defender first, and then she will run the floor hard. Theodule has a short memory as a shooter which impressed me, she always seems to shoot it with confidence. Theodule being able to knock down catch and shoot shots, or be a threat when the Wyche twins are double-teamed will be big for the Patriots.
Chloe Cellar 5’10 2022 (U School to Cardinal Gibbons)
After losing a couple of seniors who started, Cellar is a solid pickup for the Chiefs. The Junior earned All Broward Second Team honors after averaging a double-double while showing she can be the focal point of an offense. She attacks the basket extremely well, and she’s craftier in the lane than defenders seem to think. What impresses me most with her is that she isn’t a blur in terms of speed, but she’s able to play anywhere offensively because she understands how to score. She has good footwork and uses her pump fake to penetrate and show her touch around the rim. Offensively, Cellar can score at every level, her jumper is a good look off the dribble or spotting up, and she can pass. With Battle at the point, the way Jimenez defends, and McCormick bringing the energy she does, Gibbons has to have Lakeland on their mind, and rightfully so.
Olivia Delancy Olivia Delancy 6'0" | SF Bogie HS | 2022 State FL 6’1 2022 (Miami Country Day to Carrollwood Day)
The last time I saw Delancy she was making plays at the Top250. She has an inside game, is a more than capable from 3, and can penetrate off the dribble. It comes as no surprise to me that she can lock down a starting spot for the Patriots. She showed her ability to be more than just a traditional “big”, which is very appealing with her size. She is versatile, can play any position, was coached the right way over the years, and it shows. Delancy has made the move to Carrollwood Day, and for the defending state champs, the rich have gotten richer. The junior has been embraced by her new teammates, the chemistry they are building in that program makes things that much more scary for the opposition. Anything short of a trip back to Lakeland for this group would surprise me.
Stephanie Theodossakos Stephanie Theodossakos 5'10" | CG St. Andrews | 2021 State FL 5’10 2021 (Boca to St. Andrews)
It’s always telling when a player begins their highlight on the defensive end. The first possession of Theodossakos that I watched was a block followed by a coast to coast finish. She doesn’t seem to force the effort offensively, she has an understanding of shifting into open pockets for spot-up 3’s and shows the ability to create for herself at times with hard drives finishing with either hand. The St. Andrews transfer has a good nose for the ball, her anticipation and timing are excellent, it speaks to why she can pinpoint rebounds before they come off the rim, block shots, and force turnovers. Her defensive activity and ability to catch and shoot makes her college-ready right now. Theodossakos is a high IQ player who understands complimenting others, her versatility gives St. Andrews scary depth.
Sophia Federico Sophia Federico 5'5" | CG Westminster Academy | 2021 State FL 2021 (North Broward Prep to St. Andrews)
The lefty has a smooth stroke, and she has proven herself as a threat to go for 20 on any given night. Her spot-up three is effective because she does a good job of getting the ball to her shooting pocket for a quick release where she holds her follow through the way a shooter is taught. The part of her game I like most is the way she distributes the ball, she has good court vision and will throw the ball ahead in transition. She reminds me somewhat of Steve Nash the way she uses her slender frame and quickness to get anywhere on the floor and get the ball to her teammates where they like it. Coming off All-Conference honorable mention, Federico has the potential to lock down the starting job for the Scots, and help them build on last season’s playoff run.