Geico Nationals has a long history of hosting college prospects and some of the most talented high school girls basketball players in the country. This year’s competition, which kicks off on Friday, includes defending champion and top seed Montverde, who finished third in the tournament. SCNext Top 25.
The four-team tournament begins with the semifinals on Friday at 10:30 a.m. ET and 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU/ESPN App) at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Florida. The championship match is on Saturday (10 a.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPN App).
Before last year, Geico Nationals was the only choice for the national high school final event. This group includes independent programs as well as programs belonging to federal federations. With the launch of the State Champions Invitational last year (April 7-8), the grouping of Geico teams changed. Past winners Westlake (Ga.) and Central Valley (Wash.) will be SCI participants, not Geico.
We break down key information and team analysis for this year’s Geico Nationals.
First seed: Montverde (Fla.)
Coach: Special Jennings
Take note: 24-1
Important wins: Duncanville, South Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Webb School, Long Island Lutheran, Morris Catholic
About Montverde: Coach Jennings has arranged one of the most challenging schedules in the country for her Montverde team this season. They boast a premium Tier I roster that even outstrips the starters and has no shortage of talent or caliber. protection point Mjracle Sheppard (Mississippi State) made a splash and had a bullish senior season. She leads Montverde in scoring, assisting and stealing the ball. Sahnya Jah (South Carolina) averaged 10.1 points and 6.1 bounces and played dynamic on the inside. Rusne Augustinaite (Georgia Tech) and Cori Allen (Illinois) are three main threats. Lety Vasconcelos (Baylor), at 6 foot-7, anchored the Eagles on the glass and inside defensively. young striker Vivian Iwuchukwu came on from the bench to contribute 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Analysis: This team sets the defensive tone and is able to combine their aggressive attack with the press, half-court, and press. The Eagles can really break out of halftime quickly. Their size and inner strength are great advantages. Coach Jennings is full of energy and her team matches her intensity. They have a chance to top the SCNext 25 leaderboard with a tournament win at Geico.
2nd seed: Long Island Lutheran
Coach: Christina Rati
Take note: 21-2
Important wins: Archbishop Mitty, Friends of Sidwell, La Jolla . National Day
About LUHI: Coach Rati leads a squad into Geico with young players. The Crusades won the prestigious Nike Championship Tournament in December and that included several top 10 wins. Montverde arrived in New York in January and beat LUHI 67-60, so the game A possible rematch in the highly anticipated Geico final.
Analysis: LUHI is a balanced team anchored within by juniors Kate Koval, averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. protect the base Kayleigh Heckel and Syla Swords made most of the ball handling and decision making, and shot 44% and 35.7% respectively against the three. Heckel leads the team with 15.6 points per game as well as 5.9 assists. Swords contributed 13.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. Junior forward Ka’Shya Hawkins has had a breakout season and freshman Savannah Swords will take on any role needed in any given game thanks to her versatility — being able to Currently over 9.6 points per game and 36% scoring rate of 3 points. Junior guard Lauryn Swann has performed several key roles for the Crusaders this season and added to the siege.
This is a team that has been in the top 5 all year and based on the results at Geico, can still secure the top spot in the final SCNext Power Rankings.
Seed #3: McDonogh (Md.)
Coach: Brad Rees
Take note: 24-3
Important wins: Rutgers Prep, South Shore
About McDonogh: Coach Rees and Eagles had to start the season without their presence in the young striker Kennedy Umebut they have plenty of talent and goals to make up for her absence until her return in mid-December. The Eagles will have to make up for her loss again because Ume will be attending a USA Basketball event and will not be competing at Geico.
Analysis: The Eagles will miss Ume’s 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. G Makaela Quimby (Wake Forest) can launch it from the 3-point line. Anaiah Jenkins (Towson) is a strong presence on the wing/strip, glass cleaner and a versatile defensive presence. g Paris Lock (North Carolina A&T) is the best way to attack immediately and put pressure on the opponent. freshman flying autumn is a young rising point guard who can be small but agile and has dynamic play as she pushes, distributes and presses defensively. She leads McDonogh in points this year (14.6 points per game) as well as total assists. Winger/base forward Ava McKennie (Maryland commit) has had a breakout season and uses his length and versatility to bring a little something to things. This is a very balanced team and they all played their roles very well.
4th seed: Westtown (Pa.)
Coach: Fran Burbidge
Take note: 21-4
Important wins: Visit Georgetown, Shabach Christian
About West Street: Coach Burbidge has the most unique team in the Geico field. Westtown has Division I entrants on the same roster as two of the more promising high school-age players in the country, W Jordyn Palmer and G Jessie Moses. Palmer soon made a case for being considered one of the top players in her class to date. She brings in 13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as well as scoring 36% on 3-point goals. g grace Sundback (Delaware) has a ready and basic game and can catch fire from the outside. She leads the team with 40% 3FG and averages 13.2 points per game. Junior G Zahra King is active, but could miss the event as she recovers from a nagging injury. First year student the athlete vanesko complements her ability to handle the ball and shoot from the outside — she’s led the team in total assists this year. Junior Savannah Curry (9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game) is a winger who delivers a lot of effort, mainly defensively, but also has a knack for scoring. Westtown will be without a Seton Hall entrant, Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick because she is a high school student reunited during the pandemic and is ineligible for the Geico competition.
Analysis: This will be a challenge for this mostly young squad, but they will benefit in the long run and have a match plan to match their opponents. They have an experienced staff that will be ready to compete.
