Immediate Impact - The Fab Five Freshman


Freshman rarely make a significant impact on a team filled with veteran talent, but the expectation is that this year's highly touted freshman Jada Clardy will do just that. At Max J. Bruner Middle School, Clardy's team finished as champions of the Okaloosa County Middle School, both her 7th and 8th grade years. Clardy's athletic prowness was on display in 2023 and 2024  400 meters race and 2024 long jump where she placed 1st in Okaloosa County track and field championship meet. 

Despite the Lady Wildcats strong run as last year's District 1 Champions, the Lady Wildcats fell 3 points short to Mainland in the state regional semifinal. Clardy's, versatility and athleticism should significantly impact  the chances of advancing further this season.



Calling Makenna Enfinger a freshman feels misleading. Despite being a member of the class of 2028, Enfinger's high school career began in sixth grade at LEAD Academy, followed by 7th and 8th grade years at West Florida Baptist Academy. Enfinger enters her freshman year already having scored over 1,000 points, named Player of the Game seven times, leading the Lady Conquers in minutes and co- led in scoring in the 2023-24 season. 

The Lady Conquers aim to repeat as Panhandle Christian District 1 Champions and sharp shooter Enfinger will likely be leading the way with an impactful freshman year. 



Keyarstan Lewis enters her freshman year as a two-time Escambia County Middle School championship runner-up as a team leader at Bailey Middle School. Lewis joins the West Florida H.S. Lady Jaguars as an experienced ballhandler, a crucial asset for any team. With high basketball IQ, and excellent communication skills, Lewis has the potential to grow into a team leader learning from senior point guard Shania Beeks.

Lewis is expected to contribute on both ends of the floor, thanks to her strong on-ball defensive skills and court vision. This could lead to easy baskets for Lady Jags frontcourt which includes her former middle school teammate, "AB" Bartholomew last year’s "PNJ Newcomer of the Year" and senior Kamora Harris, who is returning from a season-ending injury in 2023. 



Unlike most of our Fab Five Freshmen, Jaleah Jones doesn’t come with a long list of middle school basketball accolades. Jones actually has no experience playing for a middle school team. She does have recreation and travel basketball experience with Santa Rosa Elite 2027 team. The experience of playing with last year's freshman class this summer should give her a jump start. Being the younger sister of Jayeah Jones, a point guard currently playing at Bishop State College should also be helpful. The younger Jones is still developing her skills as a ball handler and outside shooter. Her size and physicality are where she will make the most significant impact. And the Lady Raiders are in dire need of an immediate impact player as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 5-17 record and a 1-8 conference finish last year 



Meriell Jones might fly under the radar for most of the season,  but Pensacola Lady Tigers’ Head Coach Allison Davis is very aware of the impact of losing more than half of her starting lineup to the Class of 2024 graduation. Coach Davis will miss last year's starting point guard Ter’koiyah Long and team captain Erica McCray, but it’s the challenge of replacing Aaliyah Jackson’s size that makes freshman Jones’ role so crucial. Jones has already proven herself impactful by helping Workman secure last year’s 2023-24 Escambia County Middle School Girls Championship. As the Lady Tigers aim to repeat their District 1 Championship, they will face tough competition from a reclassified Fort Walton Beach High School team with sophomore frontcourt transfer Alexis Smith, as well as a formidable frontcourt at West Florida High School. The Lady Tigers know what to expect from the team's captains, returning starters sophomore Chioma Patterson and all-area senior Zion Perkins. The continuing development of Jones will be pivotal for her to have the solid impact the Lady Tigers will need.

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