It’s been quite a year so far here in Northeast Florida. A lot of great games and individual performances has fueled what has been a playoff like atmosphere in the first half of the season. Let’s look at our top ten teams and the players that fuel them. This list includes some of our mainstays from previous year’s lists but there are some notable teams missing that may surprise you and some teams that made it that you may have never heard of.
- St. Augustine 16-0
Taking our top spot is the St. Augustine Lady Jackets. They seem to have used the momentum from last season to thrust them into success in the first half of the season. They are undefeated thus far this season with big wins over Nease and Orange Park who both make our top ten. They are led by senior Janiyah Jackson who is averaging a double-double with 16.9 points and 14.9 rebounds and senior transfer Emily McIntosh who is averaging a near triple-double with 11.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Emily McIntosh transferred from Creekside to St. Augustine- Will Brown 
Janiyah Jackson leading St. Augustine
- 2. Bishop Kenny 13-4
Bishop Kenny comes in at number two. Their coach and two of their top players from last year have moved on to college but they have not missed a beat. They return arguably the best shooter in the area Maddie Millar who is averaging 16.6 ppg and a solid core that helped make the transition smooth. They also got transfers Sophie Rueppell and Riley Talber to solidify the starting lineup.
- 3. San Jose Prep 11-4
At number 3 we have San Jose Prep Storm. Some of you may have never heard of them because it is only their second year of the program. It didn’t take long for them to make a name for themselves and that was thanks to new Coach Rene Howell and the influx of transfers that joined the team this year. The Storm have played one of the toughest schedules and have not lost to any local thus far. They are led by senior Zoriah Mobley who is averaging 17.5 ppg and senior Kiana Wilson who is averaging 11.1 ppg.
- 4. Nease 13-3
Nease comes in at number four on our list. They returned a strong core from a good team including senior Sydney Gomes who was of the best players in the area last year. She is averaging 20 points and leads her team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. She has gotten a lot of help from junior Camryn Robinson with 15 ppg and Allison Fifield with 11 ppg.
- 5. Mandarin 13-0
Mandarin is number 5 on our top 10 list and have started out undefeated in the first half of the season. They have also secured the number one seed in the Gateway Conference Tournament and are one of the favorites to win it all. They are led by sophomore Nykeria Thomas who is averaging 13.5 ppg and senior Ellie Jackson who is averaging 12.1 ppg.
- 6. Orange Park 11-4
At number 4 is the Orange Park Lady Raiders. In his second year, Coach Mike Nesmith has the program going in the right direction and that is thanks in large part to sensational sophomore Eris Lester who is averaging 19.5 ppg and 8 rpg and senior Nia Brown who is averaging 12.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg. They also got a big boost defensive from transfer Samantha Hardison who seems to be the missing piece from last year’s team that finished with a .500 record.
- 7. Jackson 7-7
The Lady Tigers from Andrew Jackson take the spot at number 7. They have played one of the toughest schedules in the area thus far. This will be good for them in the long run as they play in what may be one of the most difficult districts. They are a experienced, defensive minded team and boost a balanced scoring attack led by senior Jazmine Jackson who is averaging 10.5 ppg. They are also what of the favorites to win the Gateway Conference Tournament but have a tough road as they received an unfavorable seed due to not playing other teams in the conference.
- 8. St. Johns Country Day 10-3
At number 8 on our list is St. Johns Country Day School. Some of you may have never heard of them but they have been good for a while. They got a huge boost from junior transfer Taliah Scott who is one of the best players in the nation. She is averaging 32.3 ppg which is second in the state and 8th in the nation. She is not the only player to watch on the team as senior Jaidy Meija and sophomore Mary Kate Kent both average double figures and play huge roles in their team’s success. Their schedule is tougher in the second half of the season so keep an eye on them to see if they can hold their spot in the top ten.
Mary Kate Kent – Photo by One Three Studios 
Taliah Scott- PG- Photo by One Three Studios
- 9. Ponte Vedra 11-5
Ponte Vedra comes in at number 9 on our list. They are a solid team and have played against some tough competition. They have a balanced scoring attack filled with shooters. Senior Paige Hulihan and sophomores Morgan Gavazzi and Kennedy Rosendahl have paced them so far this season. They have a big test coming up against our number 1 team St. Augustine.
- 10. Providence 12-3
In our final spot in the top ten is Providence. They have played a solid schedule and have a win over Orange Park this season. They are well coached and have a balance scoring attack led by freshman Janie Boyd with 14.2 ppg and junior Ella Ortman with 10.8 ppg.
Honorable Mention:
Bolles 9-6 led by freshman Abby Knauff
Fleming Island 10-3 led by Avery Cannon
Oakleaf 5-8 led by juniors Fantasia James, Kaylah Turner and Kamiyah Jones
University Christian 8-8 led by Tai Baldwin
Featured Image by Photo by One Three Studios
