Coming off a season where the Booker High and Cardinal Mooney Catholic girls basketball teams reached the Final 4 for the second straight season, it should be another exciting campaign in the Sarasota/Manatee county area.

Along with the Tornadoes and Cougars, a number of teams have a chance to make a run to the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, the site of the Final 4. 

Last year, Cardinal Mooney knocked off Kings Academy to reach the Class 3A championship game before losing to Miami Country Day in the title game. Booker fell in the Class 4A state semifinals to eventual state champion Lake Highland Prep. 

Here is a look at players to watch and others to keep an eye on for the 2023-24 girls basketball season: 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Paisley Binswanger, Sarasota High, sophomore 

Guard led the Sailors in scoring last year as a freshman with a 14.9 average. Also averaged 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 steals.

Kali Barrett, Cardinal Mooney Catholic, junior

Herald-Tribune All-Area selection forward/wing averaged 15.2 points, 9 rebounds while recording 10 double-doubles.

Tessa O’Leary, Venice High, junior

Guard averaged 16.1 points, 3.7 rebound, 2.4 steals and 2.9 assists.

Jakai Peterson, Booker High, senior

Guard led the Tornadoes with 11 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 steals along with 4.3 rebounds last year. 

Mary Portwood, Parrish Community High, senior

Led the Bulls in scoring (1.9.4), rebounding (8.1) and tied for the team lead in steals (2.5) and assists (1.7).

Keep an eye on

Talia Busser, Parrish Community

Sofiah Miller, Sarasota High (transfer from Windermere Prep)

Gabriela Morales, Southeast High 

Lana Price, Bradenton Christian School

Ava Rogers, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal

Sy’Monique Simon, Cardinal Mooney Catholic

Elainna Villegas, Lakewood Ranch High

Caitlin Webb, Sarasota Christian School

Jillian Zoerman, Bradenton Christian School