The King’s Academy girls varsity basketball team is talented, focused and driven to succeed. After the first eight games of the regular season, it’s a case of “so far so good.”
The most recent game for TKA was a 47-34 victory at home against Palm Beach Gardens High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10. That brought the team’s record to 8-0. Next on the schedule is a Tuesday, Dec. 17 contest at Somerset Prep.
While the most high-profile player on the team is senior guard Jade Jones, who is a University of Houston commit, there’s a supporting cast that makes the Lions a state championship contender. The Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A state title will be decided in mid-February in Lakeland.
In addition to the scoring, passing and rebounding by Jones, the team includes a number of players who can also run, pass, catch, defend, shoot, rebound and dive when the situation presents itself. According to head coach Chris Race, those key players include Sophia Kateris, Brielle George, Julia Vazquez, Sophia Vazquez, Sofia Rathbun and Madelyn Buccilli.
Kateris is smart, athletic and talented.
“Sophia is a versatile player who plays almost every position on our team during every game,” Race said. “She has a really high basketball IQ.”
George, a Belmont Abbey College commit, is the epitome of what a true team player does in order to help the team succeed.
“Brielle has been working hard transitioning from strictly a post player to playing on the perimeter,” Race said. “She has a high motor and is a hard worker.”
Julia Vazquez is the team’s all-important point guard. She is the team’s proverbial “floor general,” who helps execute Race’s game plan.
“Julia is a high-energy point guard who is the heartbeat of our team,” Race said. “She is super competitive and an aggressive point guard. She attacks the basket well and also sets her teammates up for easy shots.”
Sophia Vazquez has returned from an injury-riddled season last year. She is an energetic defender who can shoot very well.
“Sophia is returning this season from an ACL injury last year,” Race said. “She is a very versatile player for us. She plays all the perimeter positions for us and is one of our better three-point shooters.”
Rathbun knows how to play defense with a desire to stop the opposition that is greater than any opponent’s ability to score.
“Sofia is our best defender,” Race said. “She has a high motor and almost always draws the opponent’s best player. She is a really good three-point shooter for us, as well.”
Buccilli’s key contribution is the ability to make long-distance shots.
“Madelyn is one of the top three-point shooters in the county,” Race noted.
The foundation for the team’s current success can be traced back to their off-season workouts.
“The girls worked with our strength and conditioning coaches over the summer and during school this fall with Taylor Smith and Jeremy Evans,” Race said.
Under the direction of Race, the girls basketball team has advanced to the FHSAA final four in two out of the last three years, only to come home without a championship trophy. With a group of players who are so talented, focused and driven, don’t be surprised if this year’s squad can emerge as the best in Class 3A.
