Who Were the Top Freshman Performers in Lakeland?
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Who Were the Top Freshman Performers in Lakeland?
By Michael Wholey 3/1/21 11:00 AM EST
This past week, Florida concluded its high school season in Lakeland, hosting the top 4 teams in each class at the RP Funding Center and crowning 6 new state champions. Let’s take a look at who the top Freshman performers were in Lakeland.
Jada Eads Jada Eads 5'6" | PG Lake Highland Prep | 2024 State FL (Wekiva HS) 5’6 Guard
Eads has been impressive all season, establishing herself as one of the top Freshman in Florida. And she continued putting her offensive skills on display in Lakeland, doing everything she could do bring home the FHSAA 6A State Championship back to Wekiva. Going up against Winter Haven in the semi-finals, she was simply unstoppable, dropping 31 points on 10/20 from the field and 10/14 from the FT line. She played all but 23 seconds of the game and chipped in with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals as well, leading Wekiva to the 68-60 victory. In the championship game, Eads again played well scoring 19 points on 5/13 from field and 9/14 from FT line. She again played almost the entire game, just sitting out 30 seconds while also accumulating 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Unfortunately it was not enough as Wekiva lost the championship game 62-60 to St. Thomas Aquinas but it is very obvious that Wekiva will be in the mix for championships with Eads suiting up for the Mustangs!
Kayla Nelms Kayla Nelms 6'1" | PF Miami Country Day | 2024 State FL (Miami Country Day) 6’1 Forward
Nelms has been consistent all season averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds per game with several breakout games. She continued her stellar play in Lakeland and establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with for the next several years. In the semi-finals, Nelms scored 19 points on 8/14 from the field, including 3/6 from 3-point range. The young 6’1 Freshman showcased her ability to knock down the 3-pointer on ball reversal and at the trail spot while also sliding down low and mixing it up. She played 30/32 minutes while also accumulating 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks vs Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate helping lead Miami Country Day to the 66-44 win and a berth in the championship game. The championship game vs Cardinal Mooney has been postponed for a week due to COVID-19 guidelines. If Miami Country Day is going to take home the 3A Championship, Nelms must be a big contributor!
Charisse Martin Charisse Martin 5'7" | CG Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL (Miami Country Day) 5’6 Guard
Martin has been flying under the radar all season for Miami Country Day, establishing herself as the team’s 4th leading scorer. Through 21 games she is averaging 8.1 PPG, 2 APG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.4 SPG. In Lakeland vs Brooks DeBartolo she went ¾ from the field and 4/5 from the FT line for 11 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 1 assist. The 5’6 guard is a solid college prospect who continues to improve her offensive skill set. Miami Country Day has been a dominating presence in Lakeland for years, and should Martin and Nelms stay together at Miami Country Day for the next 3 years, don’t expect that to change.
India Gant (Port St Joe) 5’9 Wing/Forward
Port St. Joe entered Lakeland hoping to play role of Cinderella but was not able to pull off the upset vs eventual 1A State Champion Ponce De Leon. In the 52-38 loss, Gant stepped up doing all she could to give the Tiger Sharks a chance to pull up the win. The 5’9 Wing went 5/8 from the field with 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists. Ultimately this was not enough but it is a big bright spot for Port St. Joe going forward if they want to return to Lakeland in future years, Gant will have to be a big part of that!
Jhalea Jackson (Hawthorne) 6’0 Forward
Jackson makes the list as one of the youngest players in Lakeland, suiting up for Hawthorne as an 8th grader. Throughout the regular season, Jackson has mainly contributed as an interior presence and a rebounder averaging 6 rebounds per game. In Lakeland, Jackson went 2/3 from 3 point land for 6 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist, and 1 block to help Hawthorne to the 43-32 win over Trenton. In the championship game, Hawthorne lost to Ponce De Leon 40-37. In the 3 point loss, Jackson was a monster on the boards, finishing with 13 rebounds. By controlling the paint, she helped Hawthorne stay in the game and out rebound Ponce De Leon by a +14 count. In the end, it wasn’t enough but with Jackson being just an 8th grader, and several young Sophomores on the Hawthone squad, look for the Hornets to be back!
Michael Wholey is the Senior Scout of Prep Girls Hoop Florida and he can be reached directly at WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com or on Twitter or Instagram at @WholeyPrepHoops.