Dade girls’ basketball preview: Doral looking to take next step to become a champion
Doral Academy put together a girls’ basketball team that, although being one of the youngest in South Florida, had the talent and depth to continually contend for state titles.
The Firebirds hope last year’s experience of nearly knocking off one of the state’s premier teams in its first ever trip to Lakeland will help them take the next step and win a championship this coming spring.
Doral opened the regular season this week as one of the favorites to return to Lakeland this March and one of the most experienced and versatile squads in South Florida.
A ‘core four’ of starters are at the forefront of the Firebirds’ returning group led by sophomore guard Victoria Valle. She, junior Stephanie Vega, senior Angelina DeLeon and junior Ashley Martinez all averaged 12 or more points per game last season. Senior forward Kennedy Yost leads Doral’s frontcourt.
The group was all part of the Firebirds’ near-upset against then-top-ranked Orlando Colonial in the state semifinals when they rallied from a 16-point deficit before losing 55-49.
Doral, coached by Allison Bustamante, plays in Class 7A, which is still loaded and headlined by Orlando Dr. Phillips, which entered the season ranked No. 17 nationally by MaxPreps.
Locally, the Firebirds’ biggest challenge remains perennial title contender Miami High. The Firebirds actually lost the lone meeting between the teams in last year’s Junior Orange Bowl Classic. But the Stingarees fell in the 7A regional semifinals to Boca Raton before they could earn a rematch in the following round.
Miami High returns its own talented group headlined by two-time All-Dade first team selection Sydney Wilson, a senior who averaged 14 points, six assists and three steals last season. Senior guard Alexie Nicolas, junior guard Kai Gibson and sophomore guard Zoe Rowe also return. The Stingarees may have an edge often in terms of their frontcourt with senior center Jamir Cook and senior forward Nicole Penalver leading the way.
Southridge figures to be another contender in Class 7A led by Lynn University commit Dianka Hardisson, a 5-7 senior combo guard.
DYNASTY RELOADING
Miami Country Day began a new state championship streak last season, winning its second in a row and its ninth over the past 11 seasons.
The Spartans figure to again be in the state championship mix with multiple key players returning and a few newcomers adding firepower to their lineup.
Sophomore 5-10 guard Jalynn Belton leads the group and should continue her development into one of the best players in the state. Junior 5-10 guard/forward Kamie Ellis, a transfer from Punta Gorda Charlotte, averaged 15.6 points at her prior school. Sophomore guard Kori Edge was clutch during the Spartans’ state title run last season, and is another player to watch.
THE NEXT STEP?
SLAM Academy has made it to Lakeland three times now in its history. But will this be the season the Titans break through to win a championship?
A core seniors led by returning All-Dade guards Jim’Miyah Branton and Samantha Bautista will lead the effort along with senior wing Adaya Montalvo and senior forward Destiny Nguyen.
MORE OUTLOOKS
▪ Miami Christian (14-14) remains among the top contenders to return to Lakeland. The Victors will be led once again by senior 5-10 forward Maria De Gracia, who averaged 15.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game during last season’s run to the 2A state semifinals. Junior 6-1 center Ana Lucia Villareal, a transfer from Life Prep in Kansas, should add depth.
▪ Palmetto (11-7) is entering a bit of a rebuild, but should still be competitive thanks to returning senior forward Ale Falcon and senior guard Ashley Alvarado. The Panthers also added transfer point guard Bianca Pacheco from Miami Sunset, who should bolster their whole offense.
▪ North Miami (11-12) returns one of the top frontcourt players in South Florida in junior 6-3 center Jadore Hayes, who averaged 20.8 points and 20.3 rebounds last season. Junior guard Donnesha Morency should bolster the Pioneers’ backcourt along with freshman Rayna Benoit.
▪ Palmer Trinity (12-13) hopes to reload for another playoff run led by sophomore point guard Emma Esparza, freshman wing Sofia Laria and junior wing Aaliyah Wright.
▪ La Salle (15-8) will be led by 5-7 sophomore forward Alexandra Gonzalez Casar, who averaged 11.1 points and 13.1 rebounds per game last season.
▪ Ferguson (14-8) should remain one of the more solid teams in the county and a playoff contender. The Falcons will be led by senior Elsa Stier, a transfer from Braddock who averaged 15 points per game last season. Seniors Cecilia Rodriguez and Sophia Diaz are also back and junior transfer Isabella Santin should provide depth.
▪ Westminster Christian (10-12) won its first playoff game in four years last season and hopes to build off that with returning guards Angie Fernandez, a 5-8 sophomore, and Kelsey Kenney, a 5-8 senior, leading the way.
▪ Carrollton (14-7) moves to Class 3A and hopes to make a deep playoff push led by 5-7 junior guard Sela Traviesoand junior guard Alissa Azcuy. Senior forward Gaby Garcia-Pons and sophomore forward Josephine Salazar will bolster their frontcourt.
▪ North Miami Beach (9-8) is coming off its first winning season in over 10 years and looking for more. The Chargers will be led by 5-7 freshman guard Serena Volcy and senior forwards Leila Henderson and Yoshaney Cayaso.
▪ TERRA Evironmental (9-14) will be led by senior guards Celeste Teboe and Angie Barrios.
▪ American (6-6) will be led by senior guard Lajahnique Olive, sophomore guard Karissa Perrier and juniors Allison Pena and Sade Reaves.
▪ Florida Christian (8-10) will be led by junior guard Leah Perez and sophomore forward Sam Patino.
▪ Divine Savior (5-11) will be led by senior guards Lilly Montez and Aida Johnston.
