Who Were the Top Sophomores Performers (Part 2) in Lakeland?
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Who Were the Top Sophomores Performers (Part 2) in Lakeland? By Michael Wholey 3/3/21 9:00 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…
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Continue ReadingWho Were the Top Sophomores Performers (Part 2) in Lakeland?
By Michael Wholey 3/3/21 9:00 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 Sophomore performers were.
Alancia Ramsey Alancia Ramsey 6'0" | PF St Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL (American Heritage Delray) 6’1 Forward
Ramsey has been getting it done all season for American Heritage. The 6’1 Forward has established herself as one of the top post players in the state and a major interior force. She was the Stallions leading scorer averaging 20 points per game to go along with 13 rebounds per game. In the semi-final matchup Ramsey did all she could to try and put her squad on her back and led them to victory. In the end, she finished with 18 points on 6/11 from the field and 7 rebounds. She played all but 9 seconds fouling out in the final possession of the game. We have written about Ramsey several times this season as she has been one of the biggest stock risers and most improved players. American Heritage is young and do not graduate a single player. Look for them to be back in Lakeland next season!
Taylor Romano Taylor Romano 5'6" | CG American Heritage (Delray) | 2023 State FL (American Heritage Delray) 5’6 Guard
Romano has been doing a little bit of everything for American Heritage all season playing multiple guard spots and scoring from 3, at the rim as well as at the free throw line. In the 48-37 loss to Lincoln Park Academy, Romano was 4/13 from field for 11 points and also grabbed boards to go along with 2 assists and 2 steals. The 5’6 combo guard is a versatile player that can play both with the ball in her hands and off the ball. She is part of a young core that should make American Heritage Delray a factor in Lakeland for several years.
Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL (Cardinal Mooney) 6’4 Center
Byrd lead Cardinal Mooney in both scoring and rebounding vs Master’s Academy in their semi-final win in Lakeland. Byrd was an impressive 5/9 from the field scoring 15 points while also pulling down 6 offensive and 6 defensive rebounds for a double-double to go along with 3 blocks. The 6’4 Sophomore has a great combination of size, length and mobility and moves extremely well for her size. She completely controls the paint in every game she plays in and consistently dominates the class.
Olivia Davis Olivia Davis 5'7" | CG Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State FL (Cardinal Mooney) 5’9 Wing
Cardinal Mooney handled Master’s Academy quite easily in the semi-final matchup taking home the win 47-32. Davis and fellow Sophomore Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL have been leading Cardinal Mooney to victory often this season. In the win, Davis was 6/10 from the field, 2/4 from 3 for 14 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds. The big guard has been extremely productive on the offensive end all season. The championship game has been postponed due to COVID-19 guidelines till next week and if Cardinal Mooney is going to take down Miami Country Day, they will need big games out of their two Sophomores Olivia Davis Olivia Davis 5'7" | CG Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State FL and Jordyn Byrd Jordyn Byrd 6'3" | PF Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State #25 Nation FL .
Hannah Kohn Hannah Kohn 5'9" | CG Hagerty | 2023 State FL (Master’s Academy) 5’9 Guard
The 5’9 Guard tried to do whatever she could to lead Master’s Academy back to the championship game like she did last year but it was not enough. She struggled from the field going 4/18 from the field and 0/7 from 3 dropping 10 points while also accumulating 13 rebounds. Kohn has been getting it done for Master’s all year leading them in both scoring (18.9 PPG) and rebounding (6.5 RPG) but it wasn’t her night as Master’s would have needed a really big night from Kohn. This year marks the second consecutive year Master’s is in Lakeland. Their top 4 players are 3 Sophomores and 1 Freshman and they return 6 of their top 8. Master’s should be a factor in 3A for the next 2-3 years!
Kristina Godfrey Kristina Godfrey 5'7" | PG Miami Country Day | 2023 State FL (Miami Country Day) 5’7 Guard
Godfrey came up big for the Spartans in the semi-final matchup win vs Brooks DeBartolo. Godfrey knocked down 6/7 from field including 2/2 from 3 for 14 points to go along with 5 assists and 5 steals. She truly did it all for Miami Country Day playing all 32 minutes running the point guard position. She was one of 4 double digit scorers for the Spartans. When she wasn’t knocking down shots or taking it to the rim herself, she was setting up her teammates Andrea Daley Andrea Daley 6'0" | SF Miami Country Day | 2021 State FL , Kayla Nelms Kayla Nelms 6'1" | PF Miami Country Day | 2024 State FL and Charisse Martin Charisse Martin 5'7" | CG Blanche Ely | 2024 State FL . Miami Country Day plays in the 3A championship game next week and if Godfrey has another big offensive game, Cardinal Mooney is in trouble!
Mari Johnson (Port St Joe) 5’11 Forward / Center
On the season, Johnson averaged 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Playing all 32 minutes for Port St. Joe in the semi-final matchup vs Ponce De Leon Johnson scores 8 points on 4/9 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds to go along with 2 assists and 2 blocks. The 5’11 Forward/Center tried to do what she could to help lead Port St Joe to victory but it was not enough as Port St Joe lost 52-39. Johnson is one of 10 players that return next season, look for them to be back in the mix next season.
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.