All-News4Jax girls basketball: BK’s Roberts was in a league of her own

The All-News4Jax teams are published following the conclusions of seasons to honor the top athletes in select sports. (News4Jax)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jasmyne Roberts was the best player on the basketball court.

She knew it. Her coaches at Bishop Kenny knew it. Opponents knew it. The casual fan in the back row knew it.

To try and stop Roberts was something else.

Throw a double team on her and Roberts, now the two-time All-News4Jax girls basketball of the year, would kick the ball out to a teammate and trust them to finish. Leave her room to work and Roberts would do just that. She shot nearly 60% from the field this year, posted a career-best scoring average and finished her career in the exclusive 2,000-point scoring club.

And she’s headed to the University of Miami on a scholarship, too.

Roberts helped the Kenny program, winners of three straight state championships from 1990-92, sear its name back in the postseason vocabulary. The Crusaders hadn’t been back to the final four since that last title in 1992. Kenny went to three straight state semifinals with Roberts leading the way and finished as state runner-up twice.

Coach Charlsea Clark said that Roberts’ growth in three seasons with Kenny was immense. She said her maturity gains were substantial over that time, with Roberts sacrificing individual accolades for team success. Yes, Roberts made individual sacrifices, yet she and the Crusaders were still the area’s best over that span.

“She came in as like an individual player, kind of somebody that just kind of cared about what she was doing, and didn’t really understand how much she could help others. And this year, she did that,” Clark said. “I mean the kid could go for 30 every night, but she chose to get her teammates involved, and that shows in her stats. Like when Jas averages over five assists for us, we’re winning the game.”

Roberts went from a player with potential when she transferred from Yulee after her freshman season, to one of the most recognizable names in Kenny program history. She finished runner-up for the state’s Miss Basketball award this season.

Roberts maintained her edge as a pure scorer — she finished her senior season with a career-high 21.6 ppg and had 2,224 in her career — but evolved into so much more than that over the course of her career. Teams knew Roberts was going to have the ball in her hands the bulk of the time and still couldn’t stop her with any sort of consistency.

Ribault coach Shante Stevens, arguably the best girls basketball player in area history, said that what made Roberts so difficult to scheme against was mentality, talent and versatility. That was something that Stevens could relate to.

“It all depended on the opponent for me. I could score 40 a game if I really wanted to or I could score 20 a game, whatever my team needed at the moment. Knowing I’m the best player on the floor, when I played someone as good as me, I knew I had to prove that I was better,” she said.

“In her mind, she’s the best player on the court. She refused to be denied. She could play every position, 1-5. For me as a coach to stop her, you had to pressure her and put a double team on her. Make someone else beat me. She was able to trust her teammates to make big buckets down the stretch.”

When teams did key on Roberts, she was more likely to look for a teammate than try and force a bad shot. Against Ribault in the second round of the state playoffs, Stevens cranked up the defensive pressure as high as possible on Roberts. The Trojans held her to season-lows in points (12) and 3-point attempts (one). Roberts responded with the second-highest rebound total of her career (18), blocked four shots and handed out five assists as the Crusaders won a 44-39 slugfest.

She’ll head to the University of Miami this summer and leave Kenny as one of the toughest acts to follow.

“From winning [the award] last year, there were seniors that were great, and other great players as well. And so, to be able to win it last year was a big deal and I’m so honored,” Roberts said.

“And this year as well, there are a lot of great players in the area, and it just shows that like the hard work that I’ve put in and also credit to my team. I mean, it’s a good feeling to win it two years in a row.”

FIRST TEAM

Position, Player, School, Class

G Sydney Gomes, Nease, Jr.

Notable: Transfer from out of state had a stellar first season in town, averaging 21 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for 19-7 Panthers. On pace to reach 2,000 career points next season.

C Nigeria Harkless, Ribault, Sr.

Notable: Central part of Trojans on both ends of the court, delivering 18.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Also averaged 2 steals and 1.5 blocks an outing.

G/F Fantasia James, Oakleaf, So.

Notable: Excellent season for the Knights, averaging 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in run to the state semifinals. Perfect complement to fellow first-team selection Taliah Scott.

G Na’haviya Paxton, Columbia, Jr.

Notable: A scoring machine. Averaged area-best 24.8 points per game. Also 8.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 5.8 steals every time out for Tigers. Has 1,163 career points for Columbia.

G, Jasmyne Roberts, Bishop Kenny, Sr.,

Notable: Back-to-back All-News4Jax player of the year. Class 4A player of the year. Runner-up for Miss Basketball. Averaged 21.6 points, 9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.6 steals per game. Scored 2,224 career points. Led Crusaders to three straight state semifinal berths and back-to-back state runner-up finishes. Miami signee.

G Taliah Scott, Oakleaf, So.

Notable: Two-time All-News4Jax first-team selection and the player everyone talks about as the area’s next big star. Played freshman season at Bolles. Powered Knights to best season in program history, going 24-3 and reaching the Class 7A state semifinals. Averaged 23.4 points, 5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Surpassed the 1,000-career point mark this season.

SECOND TEAM

Position, Player, School, Class

G Ahliah Brown, Raines, Sr.

Notable: A four-year player and career 1,000-point scorer for the Vikings, she averaged a career-best 16.4 ppg this season. Reached double figures in scoring in all but two games this season.

G Jessamy Gaetanos, St. Joseph, Sr.

Notable: Three-year starter for the Flashes and Oglethorpe signee. Averaged 16 points, 5.3 assists per game for 20-1 St. Joseph. Shot 36% from 3-point range. Scored 1,052 career points.

G Maddie Millar, Bishop Kenny, Jr.

Notable: Averaged 11.9 ppg for Class 4A state semifinalist. Shot 37% from the 3-point arc. Has scored 1,183 points in three seasons.

G Selah Reddick, Raines, Sr.

Notable: Averaged 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds a game for the 19-6 Vikings. Major threat on defense where she averaged 7 steals per game, including season-high of 14 against DME Academy.

G Kyra Stauble, St. Augustine, Sr.

Notable: Powered the Yellow Jackets to a 26-2 season and first state semifinal berth since 2001. Averaged 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. Has signed with the University of West Florida.

G Kaylah Turner, Oakleaf, So.

Notable: Another talented Knights sophomore who helped key run to state semis. Averaged 15 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 steals per game.

Honorable mention

Pos. Player, School, Class

F Dana Art, St. Augustine, Sr.

G/F Taijshiah Baldwin, University Christian, Jr.

F Tori Balser, Ponte Vedra, So.

G/F Trish Balser, Ponte Vedra, Sr.

F/C Nia Blocton, Ridgeview, Fr.

G Santee Blye, Bradford, Jr.

F Nia Brown, Orange Park, Jr.

G Asiana Britt, Ribault, So.

G Avery Cannon, Fleming Island, Jr.

G Samaya Carroll, Ribault, Sr.

G/F Kelly Cramer, St. Joseph, Fr.

F Jamicia Davis, Raines, Sr.

G Lily Dunaway, Flagler Palm Coast, Sr.

C Mackenzie Flakus, Episcopal, Sr.

F Isabelle Flores, Fleming Island, Sr.

F Dyllan Hanna, Bartram Trail, Jr.

G/F Sam Hardison, Middleburg, Jr.

G Kennedy Horton, Parker, Sr.

G Paige Hulihan, Ponte Vedra, Jr.

F Janiyah Jackson, St. Augustine, Jr.

G Jasmine Jackson, Jackson, Jr.

F/C Xaniya Jackson, Jackson, So.

G Shurrell Jefferson, Atlantic Coast, Sr.

C Jada Jones, Sandalwood, So.

F/C Montayasia Jones, Suwannee, Sr.

F/C Irene Kabassubabo, Jackson, Jr.

G Eris Lester, Orange Park, Fr.

G/F Stephanie Manherz, Nease, Sr.

G/F Desiree Mauthner, Bishop Snyder, Sr.

C/F Jaidy Mejia, North Florida Educational, Jr.

G Paetyn Miller, Ridgeview, So.

G/F Yakia Milton, Lee, So.

G/F Zoriah Mobley, Parker, Jr.

F Jamia Nesmith, Bishop Kenny, Sr.

G/F Aja Pollard, Bartram Trail, So.

G/F Emma Richard, Fleming Island, Sr.

G Maya Richards, Ponte Vedra, Fr.

G Treyce Robinson, Sandalwood, Sr.

G Angel Roman, Bartram Trail, Sr.

G/F Lauren Stewart, Flagler Palm Coast, Jr.

G Riley Talbert, Fernandina Beach, Fr.

F Ny’Keria Thomas, Mandarin, Fr.

G Ashley Thompkins, Bolles, Sr.

F Jayla Thompson, Mandarin, Sr.

F/C Gabby Williams, St. Joseph, Sr.

G/F Kendra Williams, Ribault, Sr.

G/F Kiana Wilson, Parker, Jr.

G Rhiana Youmans, First Coast, Sr.

G Riley Webber, Fernandina Beach, Sr.

News4Jax honors its top athletes of the winter sports season with the All-News4Jax teams. Teams were compiled with input from area coaches.


About the Author:

Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.