Plenty of Talent is on Display Starting Today

By RICK BROWN

THE LEDGER

 

LAKELAND | Some of the top players in the state will lead their teams to Lakeland starting today through Saturday, hoping to forever leave their mark and add to their legacy.

The 2012 FHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament begins today under a new format. There will be eight state champions crowned this year, an increase of two from last year. 

Two Polk County teams will get a chance to win a state title this season.

Haines City senior Briona Brown, who was fourth in the county in scoring, will lead the Lady Hornets to their first state tournament appearance since 2005. Haines City will take on Gainesville Buchholz in the Class 7A semifinal Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Winter Haven junior Cynkeria Mobley, who was fifth in the county in scoring and third in rebounding, leads the Lady Blue Devils in the Class 6A semifinal Friday at noon against Miami Norland. It will be Winter Haven's 11th tournament and third straight. Winter Haven lost in the Class 5A finals last year to Dillard, who is also returning.

Three classes get underway today — semifinal action in classes 1A, 2A and 3A.

The girls state tournament is normally just a platform to bigger things and this tournament will be no different as some of the top girls in the country will play during this week.

In Class 3A, Gainesville P.K. Yonge will be led by senior Niya Johnson.

Johnson, a McDonald's All-American, has scored more than 1,900 points in her career. She leads the Lady Wave in scoring (19.9), assists (5.7) and steals (4.7) and is second on the team in rebounding (6.4). She may be taking her talents to Baylor next season, but she's bringing them to Lakeland today.

She's not the only girl to keep an eye on.

In Class 8A, University, out of Orlando, is led by 5-foot-8 senior guard January Miller.

Miller, who will be attending Florida next year, is averaging 23.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the University squad. She is a two-time All-State performer and is her school's all-time leading scorer.

In Class 7A, watch for Sebastian River guard Brittany Jackson.

The 5-foot-10 senior is averaging 13.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. She has committed to Georgia Tech.

Finally, in Class 6A, Edgewater High's Alexis Prince is one to watch.

Prince averages 19.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game in March. Prince will be a future teammate of Johnson and will play at Baylor.

 

 

[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com. ]