It was a great basketball season in Northeast Florida once again, as several teams made their way through the regular season to the post season. Four girls basketball teams from the area would battle their way to the FHSAA state championship series in Lakeland. Those teams were Ponte Vedra, University Christian, Providence, and Bishop Kenny. It would be the Crusaders who’d make it all the way to the championship but fall 58-47 to Lake Highland prep. One of Kenny’s toughest area tests on their way to Lakeland was Ribault, and this rivalry has brought out the best in both teams.
What makes both teams intriguing to watch has been the talent, but next year will look different for both teams. For Kenny, gone are dominant seniors Clare Coyle, Riley Talbert and Sydney Roundtree. Yet returning for them are juniors Reese Mayer (G), Abby Baker (F), and Kathleen Crawley (G). Crawley averaged 7.5 points per game as a freshman in just 21 games played. Mayer was third on the team in assists (2.7), and first in steals (1.9). While Baker was second in rebounds and played the most minutes of any returning starter. They are an experienced team that learned from a great group of senior teammates. Look for Kenny to keep that winning attitude going next year.
Ribault on the other hand did not have a large group of seniors. Only captain Kayla Massey and Kamiya Hester were seniors who contributed with both vital minutes and points. The rest of the squad is made up of juniors. Destiny Donaldson led in multiple categories including points (10.0), rebounds (5.3), and 2.2 steals. Terryanna Medlock led the team in blocks with 1.1 per game. Sharp shooting Alexzondria Gross will return as well for a Lady Trojan team. These players will be much more experienced and battle tested as Ribault looks to avenge a loss in the regional final to Kenny.
In terms of the rivalry, Kenny has bested Ribault five times in their last five playoff appearances. Before that, the teams didn’t meet in the playoffs as Ribault won 4 state titles in the span of 5 years of sheer dominance. A traditional state powerhouse in Ribault has the chance to return to prominence next year under Head Coach Dorian Stevens. While a current area power in Bishop Kenny, looks to take the next step to becoming a state power under Head Coach William Mayer. Every year realigned districts and classifications make for uncharted waters for every team. If both teams find themselves in different classifications, that bodes well for Northeast Florida. Both teams are forecasted to be at the top, and both are front-runnners to make a run at Lakeland next year.
