- April 28, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
It’s that time of year again in West Orange and Southwest Orange County: High school girls basketball season is here, and the area is filled with some of the best players and teams in Florida.
That includes the back-to-back FHSAA Class 7A defending champions, Dr. Phillips High — which just so happens to be returning star player Trinity Turner and most of the 2022-23 title team.
The 2023-24 girls basketball season should be another fun year. With that being said: Here are 15 of the area’s top girls basketball players you should be keeping your eye on this season.
Editor’s note: Statistics were compiled from online data and coaches’ submissions. Athletes are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Sienna Astorino, Horizon
Guard | Junior | No. 3
After helping lead the Hawks to a 16-12 record last season by filling up the stat sheet, Astorino has picked up right where she left off through seven games in 2023-24. She is averaging 9.4 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and five steals as Horizon is off to 6-2 start.
Zoe Calvez, West Orange
Guard | Senior | No. 32
Through six games for the Warriors, Calvez — an LSU softball signee — is leading the way for the Warriors on the hardwood, as well, with a team-high 10 points a game to go along with four rebounds and 3.2 steals per night.
Mallory Daniels, Legacy Charter
Guard | Senior | No. 5
The senior ball-handler is off to a hot start in 2023-24 for the Eagles, averaging 17 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, three assists and a whopping 7.8 steals — all of which are a significant increase from her 2022-23 output.
Bianca Hall, The First Academy
Guard | Freshman | No. 3
The freshman guard has been lights out for the Royals to start the season — averaging 15.3 points per game, 4.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals, leading TFA to an early season 6-3 record. This sort of impact was expected, though, after Hall led the Royals to a district championship as an eighth-grader and first-year varsity starter.
Beyond the stats, TFA coach Kevin Hall points to her leadership capabilities, ability to read defenses and how she’s able to organize the Royals’ on both sides of the ball while being face-guarded or double-teamed. What makes this all even more impressive is the fact Hall only started playing hoops in the sixth grade.
Micah Hannah, Ocoee
Guard | Senior | No. 20
Hannah is an all-around player who stuffs the stat sheet every time out for the Knights. Just check her per-game averages of 13 points, seven steals and four rebounds a night. Those kinds of numbers are why she was a Class 7A first-team selection.
According to Ocoee coach Marcus Spencer, Hannah’s influence and leadership have helped shift the culture of girls basketball at the school. Beyond her dominance on the hardwood, Hannah is also one of the best cross-country runners in the area and holds several offers to run at the college level.
Olivia Ikeda, Windermere
Guard | Senior | No. 21
Ikeda is off to a stellar start this season for the Wolverines, averaging 15.1 points, 2.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. With new coach Chad Fekany taking over the program, Ikeda’s high basketball I.Q. has been vital to her early-season success and her younger teammates’ development.
According to Fekany, Ikeda’s been 100% on board with what he and his staff are implementing. Because of that type of dedication and commitment, the program has been able to progress.
Sariah Johnson, Dr. Phillips
Forward | Junior | No. 21
Johnson was a key part of the Panthers teams that won back-to-back FHSAA Class 7A state championships.
For the 2022-23 team that finished with a 30-1 record, the junior averaged 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game — up from her production of 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per game as a freshman.
By using her great frame and athleticism to find and create space in the paint, she's able to utilize her soft touch to finish over interior defenders.
Expect Johnson to continue improving her production and play a big part in the Panthers' pursuit of a third straight state championship.
Avery Michels, Foundation Academy
Wing | Freshman | No. 15
With a stat line of 16 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, it is clear to see why Michels has been a cornerstone for the Foundation girls basketball program over the last four years.
Yes, you read that right: Michels has been part of the varsity team since the sixth grade.
According to Lions coach Krystal Smith, the freshman wing has taken the leadership role for this team, on and off the court. With a 6-foot frame and a smooth jumper, the freshman with countless minutes of varsity experience has everything needed to fulfill her incredible upside and college-level potential.
Kendall Perry, Dr. Phillips
Guard | Sophomore | No. 1
Perry is another key returner from DP’s state championship-winning team, which has won 13 straight games against Orlando-area teams. As a freshman, Perry was the Pippen to teammate Trinity Turner’s Jordan, averaging 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Panthers.
Zoe Sedo, Windermere Prep
Guard | Senior | No. 3
Sedo was the go-to player for a quality 2022-23 Lakers team that finished with a 17-9 record. She is the top returning scorer for Windermere Prep, averaging 14.8 points per game last season. She also led the team in steals with 4.8 per game while also adding 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds a game.
Arlinda Roundtree, Olympia
Forward | Senior | No. 20
Roundtree returns to the Titans as their top scorer from last season’s team. Through eight games, she has continued to lead the way for Olympia, with 11.8 points per game to go along with her seven rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Janiya Swift, Central Florida Christian Academy
Wing | Freshman | No. 23
Swift helped lead the Eagles to a 20-8 record last season and is the team’s top returner in 2023-24, averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game last year. So far this season, CFCA has gotten off to a good start with a 6-2 record.
Paris Triplett, Ocoee
Center | Senior | No. 3
The Rollins College commit is a big part of this Knights team, averaging nine points and nine rebounds per game. Ocoee coach Marcus Spencer said she has been the centerpiece of their team since stepping foot on campus last season.
Photo Credit: Marquis Jackson | EditzbyquisTrinity Turner, Dr. Phillips
Guard | Senior | No. 5
To put it simply, Trinity Turner is a superstar.
She is a four-year varsity starter who has led the Panthers in scoring since her sophomore year — including both of those DP teams that won state championships. She came into her final high school season with nearly 1,500 points scored.
Last season, she averaged a whopping 20.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 4.6 steals per game for the Panthers and was named the MaxPreps Florida Player of the Year. She finished as the runner-up for the Florida Dairy Famers Miss Basketball award.
Now a senior, Turner is a four-star prospect committed to play her college ball at Georgia next season. But before she can think about life in Athens, she wants to finish her high school career with a DP three-peat.
Jayla Weiser, Ocoee
Guard | Junior | No. 1
A three-year starter on varsity at the point guard position, Weiser has been a steady hand for the Knights since she was a freshman. Although her averages of six points and four assists a game don’t jump off the page, it’s her ability to bring stability to the team that makes her a player to watch.
Sam Albuquerque is the Sports Editor for the Orange Observer. Please contact him with story ideas, results and statistics.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SamBAlbuquerque
Instagram: @OrangeObserverSam
