Country Day girls reload while Doral alum aims to lead Firebirds to first title
Miami Country Day ran out of fingers to put rings on last season, winning its 10th overall state championship since 2014. The Spartans have plenty of room in their trophy case and appear to have the ingredients to continue one of the most impressive championship runs in any sport in state history.
Country Day returns the bulk of its roster from last season, led by Ohio University signee Kamie Ellis, a 5-10 senior guard. The combination of Ellis and junior Jalynn Belton, another 5-10 guard being recruited by double-digit Division-I programs, powered Country Day through its toughest battles at state last season.
The Spartans added even more height and skill this season in the form of Fort Myers Canterbury transfer Casey O’Conell, a 6-2 senior forward who averaged 16.5 points and eight rebounds last season. O’Connell is committed to Evansville.
Expect Country Day to continue its style of tough defense led by junior guard Kori Edge as well as sophomores Arianna Robinson, Kennedy Deal and Rachael Luis.
In addition to Miami Country Day, several other teams hope to make a push to the state final four, which will now be held in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida from March 5-7 and 9-14 after over three decades in Lakeland.
Here’s a look at who else might have what it takes to make it.
ALUM TO LEAD FIREBIRDS
Doral Academy advanced to the state final four each of the past two seasons and became one of the state’s premier teams in recent years under former coach Allison Bustamante.
But this season, Bustamante will be pacing the sidelines at the college level as head coach of the women’s program at Barry University.
Don’t expect Doral to change its winning ways, however.
The Firebirds promoted assistant coach and alum Daniela Barrios to succeed Bustamante and try to guide her alma mater to its first state title.
Things were kept “in the family” in more ways than one at Doral as Barrios will be assisted by her father, Alex, who is also on the coaching staff.
On the court, Doral appears to have a roster capable of leading it back to state and make a push for the school’s first state title.
Doral returns the dynamic guard tandem of seniors Ashley Martinez and Stephanie Vega, who have played together since the fifth grade.
The Firebirds also have 5-8 senior forward D’Naela Myers returning to add versatility and depth in the frontcourt. Myers will be joined in the paint by senior center Karla Stiven. Sophomores Camila Velasco and Leila Figueroa should add depth in the backcourt as well.
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Mater Lakes (20-10, 4A regional finalist) returns one of the most prolific guards in South Florida in Vanessa Vancott, a first team All-Dade selection last season. The Bears added more firepower to their backcourt with junior point guard Taryn Wakefield, a transfer from Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian.
North Miami (17-9, 5A regional quarterfinalist) returns versatile and dominant forward Jadore Hayes, a two-time All-Dade first team selection who averaged 24 points and 20 rebounds last season. The Pioneers hope to have the supporting cast around Hayes, which could take them further in the playoffs. Sophomore 5-4 point guard Rayna Benoit and 5-10 senior power forward Donnesha Morency lead those efforts.
Miami High (7A regional finalist) will face one of its biggest challenges in recent memory after losing numerous players to graduation and transfers. The Stingarees return only one player from last year’s roster in junior Dadeline St. Jean, a 5-9 junior guard. Sophomores Mya Caldera-Ramire, Kaleah Mancillareyes and Briniyah Washington are among the junior varsity call-ups who Miami High hopes will become leaders by season’s end.
Carrollton (17-9, 3A regional finalist) fell one win short of making it to the state final four and returns six seniors, who anchored their best season in school history. Senior guards Sela Travieso (5-6) and Alissa Azcuy (5-4) are at the forefront of those efforts. Junior guard Josephine Salazar and sophomore forward Amaia Borges add depth.
Palmer Trinity (14-11, 2A regional semifinalist) returns the majority of their roster led by 5-8 junior point guard Emma Esparza. Sophomore 5-11 wing Sofia Lara and 5-10 senior wing Aaliyah Wright give the Falcons a chance for a return to the regional playoffs.
Westminster Christian (12-10, 2A regional quarterfinalist) is aiming for a breakthrough to regionals thanks to the return of 5-9 junior combo guard Angie Fernandez. The Warriors also added freshman combo guard Ellie Perez, a transfer from True North, to bolster their backcourt. Junior Lauren Palczynski and freshman Briana Norat are also players to watch.
Ferguson (18-4, 7A regional quarterfinalist) is looking to build off last year’s district championship run with a re-tooled roster led by seniors Isabella Decastro and Isabella Santin. Senior Tiffany Galera, junior Sofia Mauri and sophomore Gabby Jomarron round out the Falcons’ top players.
St. Brendan (12-10 last season) is looking for a breakthrough to regionals with a talented roster led by seniors Bella Perez and Claudia Luis. Sophomore Gia Patchen and junior Olivia Lopez are other players to watch.
Homestead (14-6, 6A regional quarterfinalist) will look to make the regional playoffs again behind 5-8 senior power forward Ardajah Fletcher and 5-6 junior guard Jailene Bosch.
Monsignor Pace (16-10, 3A regional semifinalist) returns a younger squad led by 5-4 senior point guard Aleaijah Russell and freshman guard Acelia Joseph. Senior 5-11 center Vikki Byle adds size to the Spartans’ lineup.
Lourdes (11-10, 5A regional quarterfinalist) returns senior 5-7 guard Sophie Sandoval to lead the way. A pair of sophomores in the frontcourt - Addy Ballard (5-9 forward) and Ava Fenane (5-10 center) return as well.
Gulliver (8-11 last season) returns one of the county’s top all-around players in junior 5-8 guard Mikayla Brown, who averaged 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game last season. The key will be if the rest of the roster can add the depth the Raiders will need to break through to the playoffs. Juniors Ela Turkoglu and Madison Bess lead those efforts.
La Salle (17-5 last season) believes it has enough to win the school’s first district title since 1997 this season. Senior 5-7 point guard Isabella Aversa, junior 5-5 guard Frida Acevedo De Luca and 6-1 senior forward Ana Lucia Villareal are the Royal Lions’ top returners.
Palmetto (7-9, 7A region quarterfinalist) will aim to return to the regional playoffs led by senior 5-11 forward Cristi Mascarua Fuentes. Sophomore 5-10 forward Samantha Stone, 5-9 junior guard Florencia Cacares and 5-9 sophomore wing Devorah Berrebi add depth for the Panthers.
American (8-5 last season) will have height inside with 6-5 senior center Allison Pena. Senior 5-4 guard Sade Reaves, 5-6 sophomore Anecia Momplaisir and junior Karissa Perrier lead the backcourt.
True North (9-6, 2A regional quarterfinalist) enters its second season led by sixth-grade point guard Chloe Larosa and sophomore forward Angie Fiad.
Coral Park (7-8 last season) is led by 5-4 senior guard Ana Bodie and 5-11 sophomore senior center Layla Heavan.
Florida Christian (5-13 last season) is led by senior guards Kianny Gil and Leah Perez.
Braddock (3-11 last season) is led by 5-7 senior combo guard Anna Rubiera, 5-6 freshman combo guard Aish Bido, 5-7 sophomore forward Gabby Hurtado and 5-6 junior shooting guard Jessica Jebian.
Coral Reef (1-17 last season) is led by 5-3 junior guard Tayler Jackson and 5-4 sophomore guard Malyia Collier.
