News Summary
As anticipation builds for the 2025-2026 Florida high school girls’ basketball season, teams are gearing up for intense matchups. IMG Academy leads the early rankings after their dramatic victory in the Chipotle Nationals, while Montverde Academy boasts a strong lineup including top junior guard Saniyah Hall. The Lady Blue Devils and Lady Cougars celebrate recent championships, showcasing the depth of talent across the state. With coaching changes and exciting new players joining various teams, fans can expect a thrilling basketball season ahead.
Exciting Times Ahead for Florida High School Girls Basketball!
As the 2024-2025 high school girls’ basketball season wrapped up back in March, basketball fans in Florida are already buzzing about what the 2025-2026 season has in store. High School on SI Florida has presented its *way-too-early* edition of the Top 25 girls’ basketball rankings, which gives a sneak peek into the teams and players to watch in the months ahead!
IMG Academy Reigns Supreme
Leading the pack is none other than IMG Academy, affectionately known as the *Ascenders*. They’ve just snagged their first-ever Chipotle Nationals title—and what a nail-biter it was! They made a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the second half to defeat Montverde Academy. This thrilling victory has not only put them on the basketball map but also planted them firmly at the top of the early rankings for next season.
Montverde Academy Shines Bright
Speaking of Montverde Academy, they finished last season with an impressive 26-2 record, securely establishing their place in the tournament. With star player Saniyah Hall leading the team, the expectations are sky-high. As the nation’s No. 1 junior guard, Hall is expected to bring her A-game and lead Montverde back to the championship game next year.
The Lady Blue Devils and Their Magical Run
Meanwhile, the Lady Blue Devils celebrated their sixth state title by winning the Class 7A Championship—their first since 2018. The excitement doesn’t stop there; the Lady Cougars, fueled by standout Madeline Mignery, clinched the Class 3A Championship with a 64-54 victory over Bolles (Jacksonville). And let’s not forget about Kali Barrett, who was awarded the Class 3A Player of the Year. She is headed to play at the University of Cincinnati after an exceptional high school career!
DME Academy Takes It Up a Notch
On the schedule for next season, DME Academy has plans to dive into a national-type schedule, with Gigi Battle stepping up as an influential guard. The excitement is palpable as fans anticipate how these changes will affect their gaming strategy.
Heartbreak and Triumph
This past season was a rollercoaster of emotions for several teams. The Lady Panthers ended their chase for a fourth consecutive state championship with a heart-wrenching 45-42 loss to Winter Haven. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Lady Spartans, who triumphed in the Class 2A Championship against Providence (Jacksonville) with a solid 47-37 score.
Coaching Changes and New Beginnings
In the realm of coaching, the Lady Hustlers recently appointed EJ Murray as their new head coach. It’s hoped that this change will rejuvenate the team as they aim for better results next season. The Lady Raiders, on the other hand, faced an early exit against Miami Southridge, which was a tough lesson learned for them.
A Close Call for the Firebirds
The Firebirds made quite a splash by reaching the semifinals of their first-ever Final Four, but they ultimately fell to Dr. Phillips with a score of 72-54. In contrast, the Barracudas celebrated sweet victory when they won their first-ever state title, defeating Gainesville 56-49 on March 7.
Looking Ahead with High Hopes
As we look forward to the 2025-2026 season, teams like the Lady Lions are itching to return to the Final Four after clinching the Class 3A Championship in 2022. Meanwhile, the Lady Titans are hoping to bounce back after exiting early in the regional finals. The Lady Sentinels, who have now made three consecutive Final Four appearances, are striving for their second state title in just three years!
So there you have it! The Florida high school girls’ basketball scene is buzzing with excitement as teams rework their rosters, gear up for intense rivalries, and cultivate future stars. Buckle up, folks—the next season is bound to be an exhilarating ride!
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Florida High School Girls Basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings
- Wikipedia: FHSAA Basketball
- Sports Illustrated: Florida 2024-2025 Girls Basketball Awards
- Google Search: Florida high school girls basketball
- Sports Illustrated: Vote for the 2024-2025 Florida High School Girls Basketball Class 7A Player of the Year
- Google Scholar: Florida high school girls basketball
- Sports Illustrated: Florida High School Basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida high school girls basketball
- MaxPreps: St. Petersburg Green Devils Girls Basketball
- Google News: St. Petersburg Green Devils Basketball