South Broward (6A) and Parkway (3A) enter the season ready to defend their championships; Bianca Lutley, Dawnn Maye and Ariah Osceola headline our look at the region's top players.
By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
South Florida's 2008-2009 girls basketball season is underway with South Broward (6A) and Parkway (3A) considered to be among the heavy hitters. Both capped last season with titles within their respective classes, and are favorites for a shot at a second consecutive championship.
Guards Ty’Tetania McClenney (Hialeah), Dawnn Maye (Dillard) and Erica Wheeler (Parkway) lead the way as south Florida's top prospects. Center Sandra Garcia (American Heritage, Plantation) and forward Bianca Lutley (American Heritage, Plantation) enter the season as two of Broward County’s best at their position.
Freshman phenom Ariah Osceola has also made huge noise throughout the state after averaging 17 points and four assists per game while leading Hollywood Christian to a 25-6 record last season as an eighth grader.
Class 6A
South Broward
2007-2008 record: 19-10, state champions
Center Alicia DeVaughn leads the way for the defending champion Bulldogs. DeVaughn, a junior, averaged 12 points and 11 rebounds per game for South Broward last season. Sophomores Christelle Willis, Elisha Neely and Kiera Shoats are also viable pieces of the Bulldog program.
Hialeah
2007-2008 record: 24-3
Guard Ty’Tetania McClenney leads the way for a T-Bred team that made it within one game of the 6A championships before losing to Freedom 52-49 in the state semifinals. McClenney, a senior, averaged 14.6 points and 4.8 steals per game last season. After losing Jalyssa Charadan, who averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, to graduation, the Thoroughbreds will look to McClenney in leading them back into the postseason.
Class 5A
Dillard
2007-2008 record: 22-6
The Panthers, led by junior guard Dawnn Maye, look to make another run at the 5A title after losing to Barron Collier 60-37 in the regional quarterfinal last season. Maye is one of Broward County’s top underclassmen. Earlier this season, Maye recorded a triple double and helped Dillard beat South Broward, the defending Class 6A champions, 47-41 in overtime by totaling 16 points, 10 steals and 10 assists on Dec. 2nd.
Coral Glades
2007-2008 record: 17-6
The Jaguars were a strong team in south Florida last season but couldn’t capitalize in the playoffs and lost to Fort Pierce Central 58-51 in the regional semifinal. Look for them to rebound from last year’s loss and make another run for the 5A title.
Class 3A
Parkway
2007-2008 record: 31-1, state champions
Erica Wheeler and Bianca Thornton lead the way for the defending champion Panthers. Wheeler, a senior, averaged 21 points and eight assists per game last season, while Thornton had a solid season and was named second team All-Broward County. Parkway remains the favorite to repeat as 3A champions, considering how that all of their starters from last year’s team have returned.
American Heritage
2007-2008 record: 21-6
The Patriots, who lost to Parkway in the regional finals 56-42, will look to forwards Sandra Garcia and Bianca Lutley to lead them back to the postseason. Garcia, a senior, led Heritage in scoring by averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds per game last season. Lutley, also a senior, transferred from Pensacola High were she averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds per game last season.
Lutley, an LSU verbal, was named the Class 4A Player of the Year for the 2007-2008 season after leading Pensacola to a 27-1 record and a trip to the 4A championship game.
Class 2A
Hollywood Christian
2007-2008 record: 25-6
The Eagles look to bounce back from a disappointing 57-34 loss to North Florida Christian, the reigning 2A champions, in the state semifinals. Ariah Osceola (Fr., G), Rebecca Lyttle (Fr. G/F), Sarah Kelton (Fr., G) and Aimee Osceola (Jr., G/F), all starters from last year’s team, have returned and look to contend for another run at the Class 2A championship.
As an eighth grader, Ariah Osceola was the team’s leader averaging 17 points and four assists per game last season.
Other Notable Players:
Joanna Harden (Sr.), Guard, Blanche Ely
Takia Brooks (So.), Guard, Lourdes
Kynesha Hepburn (Jr.), Guard, Barbara Goleman
Jasmine Calin (Jr.), Forward, Coral Reef
Jasmine Wilkins (So.), Forward, Hialeah
Leeza Burdgess (Jr.), Center, Norland
Naomie Fequiere (Jr.), Guard, North Miami Beach
Aliesh Roman (Jr.), Guard, Miami High
Chandler Merkerson (So.), Forward, Hialeah
