2021-22 girls basketball preview: Here's how teams stack up in Polk County
Winter Haven has been the one of the best programs in the state for more than two decades and is coming off yet another trip to the final four. The strength of the program will be tested as head coach Johnny Lawson's squad graduated eight players, including player of the year Trinity Hardy.
Lawson expects the Blue Devils to again be the team to beat, not only in the county but but again in the state as he is confident the Blue Devils will make a serious run at another final four appearance.
Lake Gibson, coming off a 12-7 season, showed early that it could be the team that knocks Winter Haven off its perch as the county's top team. The Braves opened the season by beating Winter Haven in overtime last week.
And don't count out Haines City. The Hornets have consistently been a top program, and despite a .500 record last season, could be back among the elite after an influx of new players.
And who else could emerge? Here is a look at the girls basketball programs in Polk County.
A Closer Look
Editor's Note: The following preview information was returned to The Ledger by the coaches that replied to emails, texts and phone calls seeking information about their teams.
Haines City
Coach: Marsha Paul (ninth-year coach with a record of 117-51)
2020 Record: 10-10.
Last time in playoffs: In 2020, Haines City was the district runner-up and had a first-round loss in the state playoffs to Oakridge High.
Key losses: Dy'nasia Reynolds went to Hillsboro Community College.
Key Returners: Neveah Case (senior, guard 5-7), Layla Acosta (senior, guard, 5-7), Gabrielle Prince (senior, center).
Key newcomers: Mya Lomax (senior, point guard, 5-4), Arisa Jenkins (sophomore, guard, 5-9), Patience Jenkins (senior, guard, 5-9), Isis Snow (junior, center, 6-3), Sa'myracle Lovett (center, 5-10), Tshari Evans (guard, 5-10).
Outlook: Lomax, who is an All--Osceoloa-County guard who averaged 20 points at Osceola High School in 2020, is the floor general and captain. Lomax consistently draws double teams that can open up outside shooters and is tenacious on defense. Arisa Jenkins is also a 20-point scorer who is an All-Osceola-County player. Patience Jenkins is also an All-County-Osceola transfer. Snow brings a lot energy and force. Lovett, a Jordan Christian Prep transfer, averaged 10 last year. And Evans, a guard transfer from Lakeland High School, uses her ability to play great defense.
"This team is very special," Paul said. "They really play for each other, like each other, and has been traveling together on the major AAU circuit all summer. This team has a lot of game experience."
Winter Haven
Coach: Johnnie Lawson (14 years with a 295-73 record)
2020 Record: 18-2.
Last time in playoffs: In 2020, Winter Haven, a Class 6A, District 7 team, advanced to the state semifinals for the 18th time.
Key losses: Winter Haven graduated eight seniors, including Trinity Hardy, Shomari Murray, Jayla Murray, Jaida Young, Jasmine Peaks, Jazmine Spencer, Akaia Eduourd and Florence Martinez.
Key Returners: Kayla Smith (senior, guard, 5-10), Bre'Asia Washington (junior, guard, 5-5).
Key newcomers: Keanu Carr and Jaeden Williams (freshman, small forward).
Outlook: The main contributors will likely be Smith, Washington, and Williams. But for Lawson, a coach partly responsible for a folly of illuminating team accomplishments, it's all about giving the maximum effort.
"Our team is young, so our focus is training hard and playing hard," Lawson said.
Lake Gibson
Coach: Antonia Bennett (In her seventh year with a record of 94-66).
2020 Record: 12-7.
Last time in playoffs: Lake Gibson advanced to the regional quarterfinals last year.
Returning players: Arnia O'Neal (senior, guard, 5-6), Honesti Jones ( senior, guard, 5-6), Jenae Ford (junior, forward, 5-7), Rose Bess (sophomore, guard, 5-5)
Top newcomers: Deondrea Arrington (junior, guard, 5-5), Samari Wilson (junior 5-10, forward), Tanyia Brown (junior, forward, 5-6).
Outlook:This Class 6A District 7 team has five players on any given night who can score in double figures, including, O’Neal, Arrington, Brown, Jones and Wilson. Wilson is likely the strongest player on the team and, she has the ability to be a double-double performer in points and rebounding every game. For her size, she has ball handling skills that allow her to get a rebound and take the ball the length of the floor for a layup as well. She also has excellent passing skills. Jones is the team's top three-point shooter.Brown and Arrington are coming to Lake Gibson from Victory Christian, bringing in two years of game experience. The strength of this year’s team is multiple scoring options, pressure defense, and team speed, while the weakness is lack of size, which will make rebounding tough against taller teams. Additionally, the Braves have a short bench on an eight-player roster.
George Jenkins
Coach: Greg White (fourth year with a 45-28 record).
2020 record: 17-5.
Last time in playoffs: Advanced to the regional semifinals in 2020.
Key returns: Taylor Brown (senior, power forward, 5-8)Newcomers: Morgan Walsh (freshman, point guard, 5-4), Taylor Gibson (freshman, power forward, 5-9), Kassira Weston (freshman, shooting guard, 5-7).
Outlook: This team will be led by Brown, who last year was on the second-team all county team.
McKeel
Coach: Melanie Ducott (three years at the school with a 33-30 record)
2020 Record: 9-8.
Last time in playoffs: McKeel was the No. 1 seed heading into district last year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. The previous year, McKeel went to the first round and lost to Desoto County.
Key departures Raley Brown and Desiree Rodriguez.
Key Returners Serenity Hardy (8th grade, point guard/shooting guard, 5-7), Kerissa Howell (junior, forward, 5-9), Sabrina Bradley, senior, PG/SG, 5-6).
Key newcomers: Daisy Lubbers, 8th grade, forward, 5-9), Malayna Sheffield, freshman, power forward/center, 5-10), Megan Davis, junior, center, 6-1).
Outlook: Fifty percent of the Class 4A, District 7 team is comprised dual athletes participating in various sports, including softball, weightlifting, track and competitive fishing. The top scorers on the team are Hardy, Bradley and Davis, and the top rebounders are Sheffield, Howell and Davis. The strength of these stat-stuffers are intelligent offensive execution and a strong post-presence, while the weakness is transition defense.
Lakeland Christian School
Coach: Michael J. Carl (8th year at the school with a 33-30 record)
2020 Record: 9-6.
Last time in playoffs: Lakeland Christian won a play-in game last season.
Key departures: Ava Cassell.
Key Returners: Kylah Blough (junior, forward, 5-11) Gianna Martin (junior, guard, 5-5"), Emily Gravitt (junior, forward, 5-10), Ella MacDonald (sophomore, guard, 5-8), Eleni Katzaras (sophomore, guard, 5-1), Ajeyaa Niver (sophomore, guard, 5-5), McKenna Gravitt (sophomore, forward, 5-9).
Key newcomers: DeeDee Sirmons (junior, guard, 5-3), Ava Anderson (freshman, guard, 5-8), Isa Cano (freshman, forward, 5-7).
Outlook: This year, the Vikings will be led by the freshman in Anderson, Blough, Martin, Sirmons and, Cano will also contribute. This Class 3A, District 10 team will be much improved, continuing to rebuild the program. Based on the seminal play from last year, Vikings fans should look for a balanced scoring attack this year.
Auburndale
Coach: Roderick Stevenson
2020 record: 6-8.
Last time in the playoffs: Last year, Auberndale went to the first round of districts.
Key losses: The main loss for Auburndale was Tre'Vell Hawkins, who last year averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Key Returns: Monajah Ford (junior, guard, 5-10), Zion Grant (senior, guard, 5-5) , Jayda Parrish (sophomore, guard, 5-3).
Newcomers: Anovia Sheals (sophomore, forward, 5-11).
Outlook: With playing experience that dates back as far as fifth grade, Ford and Sheals will be at the helm of the Braves. Ford last season averaged 24 points. and scored 41 in a district game. Sheals, the daughter of former Winter Haven standout ReNata Baker, was a top freshman last year at Winter Haven but transferred to Auburndale.
Lakeland
Coach: Tom Lindsey (second year).
2020 record: 0-13.
Key Returners: Alliyah Brown (junior, center).
Outlook: This Class 5A team is comprised mostly of youth, so the experience will take time. Still, the squad has rallied around each other, and have made it a point of emphasis to get better.
"We have 20 girls on the varsity team, and we are just all learning together," Lindsey said.
Bartow
Coach: Taylor Payne.
2020 Record: 4-8.
Key Returners: Sandra Nwachukwu (senior, forward, 6-1), Camdyn Bullard (senior, guard, 5-6), Tyrecia Weston (senior, guard, 5-6), Alexandria Green (junior, guard, 5-4), Hannah Hayes (sophomore, power forward, 5-6), Zakiya Zanders (sophomore, power forward, 5-7), Jayla Rumly (sophomore, forward, 5-10)
Outlook: "(It's a) new coaching staff," Payne said. "(A) new culture (is) being implemented. (We have a) new team chemistry and energy."
Kathleen
Coach: Angela Freeman (Four years total with a 39-49 record)
2020 Record: 4-11
Key departures: De'Aja Clark
Key Returners: Antaniya Cave (junior, guard, 5-5), Ahmauri Davis (sophomore, guard, 5-4), Justice Griffin (junior, small forward, 5-6)
Key newcomers: Demya Stephens (senior, guard, 5-5), Alexis Kessel (senior, small forward, 5-9), Amaya Shaw (freshman, power forward, 6-1)
Outlook: The Red Devils, a Class 6A, District 7 team, is looking to have a solid well-rounded squad — a team in which any given player can be the game's leading scorer. While the team is young, Kathleen has players who work hard.
"We are looking forward to this season and its possibilities for growth and excitement," Freeman said.
Discovery
Coach: Darryl Jemison (Two years total with a 9-23 record).
2020 Record: 5-8.
Key Returners: Nerline Metellus (junior, guard/forward, 5-8", Madison Hood (senior, forward/center, 5-8), Sendra Georges (senior, center, 5-10), Da'Nayja Sturn, junior, guard, 5-7), Makayla Robinson (senior, forward/center, 5-10), Rena Newton (junior, forward/center, 5-9).
Key newcomers: Dominique De-Laurraine (freshman, guard/forward, 5-7), Jarrett Allgood (sophomore, guard, 5-8), Erika Gissendaner (freshman, center, 5-7), Isona Blanco Canas (junior, guard, 5-4).
Outlook: Spartans fans should look out for top scorer Metellus and rebounder Georges. But while this Class 4A, District 7 team has several upperclassmen for this year, Discovery is still building, hoping to use an insatiable appetite to develop from the five wins from last season.
"We are looking to build some excitement and enthusiasm around the program," Jemison said. "We have a strong returning core of players from last year and a good mix of new players."
Davenport
Coach: Jenny Bretherick.
Key newcomers: Kassandra Cortez (freshman, guard, 5-5), Sorayah Emilien (freshman, point guard, 5-4).
Outlook: The Broncos, a Class 4A, District 7 team, have one junior, a few sophomores, and the rest are freshmen, so the team is very young with a lack of experience. In the process of getting to know each other and learning strengths, the Broncos are cultivating a culture, one that can compete with the best teams.
Ridgeview Global Studies
Coach: Timothy Philip (first year at school).
Key Returners: Amani Hill (junior, guard/forward), Mikeyla Hill (eighth grade, guard), Lauriska Dulcine (junior, guard/forward), Tamara Gavrilets (10th grade/forward).
Key newcomers: Riley Graves-Neil (sophomore, forward), Norah Laurore (sophomore, forward).
Outlook: Spartans' fans should look out for top scorer Metellus and rebounder Georges. But while this Class 4A, District 7 team have several upperclassmen for this year's team, Discovery is still building, hoping to develop from the five wins last season.
Outlook: "We are expecting the Hill sisters to work together on the court and provide our young inexperienced team with leadership and skill," Philip said. "This a building year for us and we look forward to growing our basketball program here at Ridgeview."
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 2021-22 girls basketball preview: Here's how teams stack up in Polk County
