- January 1, 2025
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The 2024-25 girls high school basketball season in West Orange and Southwest Orange is off and running, and once again, the area is stacked with talented players leading state championship-chasing teams.
Whether it’s the defending Class 7A state champs, Dr. Phillips High, looking to make it four in a row under legendary coach Anthony Jones, Ocoee High’s new-look squad looking to make some noise led by its star in the making or the Hawks of Horizon High looking build on their program-best run last season; this season is shaping up to be exciting.
To make sure you know who to look for this basketball season, here are some of the area’s top girls hoopers to watch.
Editor’s note: Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Senior | Guard
With 73 games played since her freshman season, Astorino is a steady hand for the Horizon Hawks and will be a big part of building on last season’s appearance in the Class 6A regional championship game in 24-25.
The senior is an effective three-point shooter and passer on offense, but where she truly shines for Horizon is on defense. With the Hawks constantly deploying a full-court press, Astorino plays an almost centerfielder or free safety-type role where she sits near half-court, behind the first level of the press, lurking to pounce and force turnovers.
Through nine games, Astorino has averaged 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.9 steals per game to help lead Horizon to its 8-2 start.
Sophomore | Guard
If you’ve seen Hall play, you’d probably be able to tell she’s a coach’s kid because of how she communicates and directs her team — much like a maestro conducts an orchestra.
Despite being a sophomore, Hall already has more than 50 games of varsity experience under her belt, and with the way she’s begun the 24-25 season — averaging 22.8 points a game and helping TFA to a 9-2 start — you can tell.
With a sweet handle, dynamic inside-and-out scoring ability and court vision that makes you question if she has eyes in the back of her head, Hall is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the area.
Junior | Guard
There’s a lot to say about Ocoee’s Dakara Merthie, but let’s start with this: She’s the best player in West Orange and Southwest Orange.
Not only is the junior transfer from Lake Mary High one of the area’s best scorers, averaging 23.7 points a game, she’s also one of its most pesky defenders with an average of 4.7 steals an outing — don’t forget to add in her 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists averages.
Simply put, Merthie can do it all and her play has helped lead the Knights to a 11-1 start.
Senior | Forward
A Tennessee Tech signee, Miller has been outstanding to start her senior season, averaging 10.4 points and 12 rebounds a game. In her first season for the Royals, transferring in from Sarasota High, she’s provided the size and relentlessness on the interior that, combined with a few other key pieces, has been a major boost for coach Kevin Hall’s team.
In her final high school season, Miller hopes to add a few trophies to her already impressive list of accomplishments on the hardwood — including scoring 1,000 points and grabbing 1,000 rebounds.
Freshman | Forward
The Lakers’ 6-foot-tall freshman, who holds an offer from FAU, has been electric in her first games for Windermere Prep (10-2).
With her size and handle, Oyedeji puts defenders in body bags when she pulls up from three-point land — given she can create separation or just simply shoot over smaller opponents.
Along with her older sister and teammate Eni Oyedeji — who is even taller — Windermere Prep has one of the biggest frontcourts in the area.
Junior | Guard
As a key member of the last two of Dr. Phillips’ three consecutive state championships and the Panthers’ top returning scorer, Perry’s role significantly has increased this season after the graduation of backcourt mate, current Georgia starting point guard and arguably the best player in school history, Trinity Turner.
Last season, for the 27-4 Panthers, Perry averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. So far this season, she’s shown she is capable of carrying the scoring load — see her 27-point performance against Ocoee in the Metro West Conference title game.
Perry’s size, athleticism, stellar handle and shooting ability are a combination that put her at the very top of the sport’s landscape in the area and make her worthy of being handed the baton from Turner. It also explains the kind of attention she’s received from college recruiters — picking up offers from UCF, FAU, UNF, Robert Morris and Charlotte.
