There were several coaching changes and plenty of transfers since Grandview Prep won the lone girls basketball title for either Broward or Palm Beach counties last season.
It was the first time in eight years that a Broward County team did not hoist a state championship trophy, while Grandview Prep, under coach Jeff Price, the former men’s basketball coach at Lynn University won their first girls state title.
While Grandview Prep graduated Price’s daughter Abby (University of Maine), Palm Beach 4A-1A Sun Sentinel Player of the Year Lena Girardi (Oklahoma State) and Kayla Greyvensteyn (American University), the Pride reloaded in the offseason.
Several key transfers, led by senior three-time Sun Sentinel 4A-1A Broward girls player of the year (and Arizona commit) Jasleen Green, who led American Heritage in Plantation to three straight state finals, winning in 2024, is joined by junior wing Ameera Kone (28 points per game at Boca Raton) and junior 5-8 point guard Victoria Valle, who was a two-time All-Dade selection at Doral Academy.
“We graduated three major pieces, but we are looking forward to another fantastic season,” said Price, who returns senior Seanna Crooks and freshmen Jada Burns and Ella Mott.
“The biggest difference in the two teams is that this year’s team is much deeper and our returning players are familiar with our system and how we do things,” he continued. “Last year, it was new for everyone including myself. This year’s team appears to be more explosive but we definitely graduated three very talented, high IQ players. If we stay healthy and continue to develop that chemistry, this team can play at a National level. We are playing a top notch schedule to test us.”
Dillard could return to prominence
Dillard was in upheaval last year, losing several key players and its head coach, and fielded an inexperienced lineup. The Panthers, who last won a state title in 2019, are optimistic with the addition of former Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale) coach George Adams, who was a 25-year assistant on the late Marcia Pinder’s coaching staff. His wife, Tonia, is a Dillard alum. They were at Somerset for three seasons and turned the program into a power, including 18-11 last year.
Dillard has added six new players including Somerset Prep transfer Gabrielle King and St. Thomas Aquinas transfer Jaynae Gilbert. They also have added transfers Azaziah Evans-Blake (Fort Lauderdale), Tahlia Doce (Piper) and Paris George (South Broward).
“We are hoping to contend for a state title,” Adams said. “We are back at Dillard where we won seven state championships and were one of the top teams in the country.”
After losing Green and Ta’Niyah Davis to transfers, American Heritage coach Greg Farias will be rebuilding, but he’s optimistic.
“We will be young, but competitive,” Farias said. “These young ladies worked from April all the way to today trying to develop to help our team . They’re very unselfish, play like a team and they like each other on and off the court. They are also high academic kids, and six to eight have a GPA or 5.0 better.”
St. Thomas Aquinas resets after regional semifinal loss
St. Thomas Aquinas saw its attempt for a fifth straight state championship come to an end and they have changed coaches twice since the year ended, with both coaches taking college jobs.
Raiders coach Emily Williams has super sophomore London Thomas back from last year and added a key transfer in 6-foot, 3-inch senior Isabella Sangha from Pine Crest. She is committed to Notre Dame for both basketball and volleyball.
“This season, our team will be defined by relentless effort, selfless teamwork, and a commitment to playing the game the right way,” Williams said. “I’m incredibly excited about the new additions to our program; they bring fresh energy, talent, and a strong desire to grow.”
Northeast made its second appearance at the state tourney in school history and graduated the Sun Sentinel 7A-5A Player of the Year in Ny’Keria Flowers (Alabama State) and lost Hurricanes senior guard Jazmine Jones to a season-ending knee injury.
“How do we replace Flowers and Jones,” asked Hurricanes’ coach Lawrence Hanna, “by doing it collectively. Davis is a seasoned vet and we also have a group of underclassmen who will grow throughout the season.”
Cougars looking for a return to Final 4
Somerset Canyons coach Anthony McCutcheon returns a dynamic duo in sophomore Alana Pinnock and junior Delanie Doty, who both hold multiple D-1 offers. Also back are seniors Dylande Innocent, a Presbyterian commit, and Embry-Riddle commit Tatyana Campise-Pinkney from a 20-8 season and their first trip to the final four.
“We expect to make another deep playoff run this year returning all five starters and some key bench players,” McCutcheon said.
Seminole Ridge, King’s Academy also feature new coaches
Maria Hudson (Seminole Ridge) and Chris Race (King’s Academy) led their teams to a combined 259-84 record and both cited personal family matters to stepping down from their positions. Both are being succeeded by coaches familiar with the programs.
Adam Lusk, an assistant under Race, will head up the Lions, while former Seminole Ridge JV coach, Akyva Van, has taken over for Hudson.
Lakeland no longer hosting Final Four
The state basketball championships will move from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland to CSI Companies Court at the University of North Florida Arena. It ends a partnership of more than 30 years. The FHSAA said the move from the 5,100-seat arena in Lakeland to the college facility in Jacksonville was too good to pass up.
Key Dates
Feb. 2, 4 and 6, 2026: District tournaments; Feb. 13: Class 7A-1A regional quarterfinals, Class Rural regional semifinals; Feb. 20: Class 7A-1A regional semifinals, Class Rural regional finals; Feb. 24-27: Rural state tournament; Feb. 27: Class 7A-1A regional finals; March 5-7 and 9-14: 7A-1A state tournament in Jacksonville
2024-25 state champions
Class 7A: Orlando Dr. Phillips; Class 6A: Bloomingdale; Class 5A: New Smyrna Beach; Class 4A: Palm Bay; Class 3A: Cardinal Mooney. Class 2A: Miami Country Day; Class 1A: Grandview Prep.
