Ponte Vedra Fl-Senior guard Ansley Hicks of Paxon said that she and her teammates were eager to play Nease again after what several on the team described as an embarrassing loss to the Panthers last year. Well Tuesday night, the Golden Eagles got their golden opportunity for revenge against the Panthers as Paxon defeated Nease 63-41.
Hicks led all scorers with 15 points, scoring 10 of those points in the first half. From the jump, Paxon indeed looked eager to play. Hicks showed off her skills on the first play hitting a cross over then driving to the basket for the first points of the game. Said Ansley after the game, “Me and Kennedy (Waymer) made it a thing this season to lead our team, not just by our words but by our actions to put our best foot forward”.
Paxon Senior Ansley Hicks @hicks_ansley with the cross tot he basket for first points of the game! pic.twitter.com/7PbMkWOk2d
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
As Ansley said, she and Kennedy Waymer are the leaders of the team on the court. That showed against powerhouse program Nease who went 20-7 last year. In Tuesday night’s game, Waymer distributed the ball to her teammates and ran the offense to perfection. When she wasn’t dishing the rock she was taking it to the rim herself, showcasing her blazing speed on both ends of the floor.
Waymer to Adams and After the first period, Paxon leads 26-8 over Nease! pic.twitter.com/8aNuaMTPHD
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
On a play in the first quarter, Waymer intercepted a Nease pass, drove coast to coast and finished over the defender drawing a foul in the process. She would hit the free-throw on a 3-point play. The 5 foot 4 senior made our pre-season Top Players list along with the 5 foot 6 Ansley Hicks. This duo looks like they could arguably be two of the best in the area.
Kennedy Waymer interception, coast to coast AND 1!!! Paxon pouring it on Nease early! @PaxGlax @Kennedy_11k pic.twitter.com/F3KwW8SQPp
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
Nease displayed one of their top players this year as well. She is one of the top freshmen basketball players in the area, and her name is Audrey Rollins. Rollins has a small frame, but she has a big game knocking down several shots in the first half. Her two 3-pointers in the game propelled her to a team high 12-points in the Nease home debut.
Freshman Audrey Rollins with the 3 pointer for Nease! @NeaseBasketball pic.twitter.com/r3eNQfDPX0
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
Down by as much as 20 points in the second half, Nease would claw their way back into the game with hustle points and free throws. The style points weren’t falling for the Panthers, but they were able to get to the line and chip away at the lead. Abigail Robinson blocked shots on defense and scored on offense. Her hook shot helped cut the Paxon lead to 10-points in the 4th quarter.
Robinson again for Nease! 51-39 Paxon leads 4th pic.twitter.com/a9oYV611np
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
However, Paxon was just too much. Players like senior Sharla Adams dominated down low scoring 9-points in the contest. She was an over powering force in the paint at center. Forward Reese Holman may be the most versatile player on the court. She showed her ability to distribute the basketball as a point forward.
Sharla Adams from Reese Holman! Paxon building an early lead over Nease! pic.twitter.com/np7oEHoZoa
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
She also displayed the instincts of a point-guard by forcing turnovers through steals, and driving the length of the court like a shooting guard to finish with the layups. She provided the energy for the team with rebounds and diving for loose balls. The 5 foot 8 junior is a special player.
Reese Holman with the steal and the coast to coast layup! Timeout Nease! Golden Eagles 32 Nease 11, 2nd pic.twitter.com/8exvCgzgRx
— Duval Sports (@DuvalSports) November 29, 2023
Paxon would close it out with several 3-pointers. Hicks would hit one from downtown, but Nina Kamma-Hill would hit two from the 3-point stripe in the second half to help lift the Golden Eagles to their third win of the season.
Paxon improved to 3-1 after wins over Jackson, Fleming Island and Nease. Their only loss came to Haines City. The Golden Eagles have now defeated a team from Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties in a week’s time.
Head Coach Rod Carter said this gauntlet of tough teams on the road was by design. “we wanted our team to build a mental type of fortitude” said Carter. “So we practice that, we preach that, just being mentally and physically prepared and also mentally and physically tough”-Rod Carter.
Paxon will have another tough opponent at home Thursday against Oakleaf (0-1). Nease (1-2) began their season with two games on the road against Georgia teams. A win against Glynn County but a loss against Valdosta. Their home opener wasn’t what they expected, but the Panthers will have an opportunity to work on their games before facing Middleburg Saturday.
