The 2024-25 season was a historic one for the Gainesville Hurricanes girls basketball team. The Hurricanes advanced to their first state semifinal appearance since 1987 and played for the Class 5A state title.

And while the Hurricanes came up short in the state championship game in Lakeland, losing 56-49 to New Smyrna Beach, Gainesville placed their two leading scorers on the first team of the Bosshardt Realty All Area girls basketball big school team (3A-6A).

Two Gainesville seniors, guard Jamison Cardwell and guard/forward Jayden Terry, highlight the first team. Cardwell, who has signed to play basketball at the University of North Florida and transferred from Buchholz for her senior season, led the Hurricanes in scoring at 16.2 per game and rebounding at 5.7 per contest.

“Jamison has undeniable willpower and she’s resilient,” Gainesville coach Jazlynd Rollins said. “She has always put in the effort to become a better athlete physically and mentally. I believe she will do great things. It’s sad to see her leave the program after only having her for one season.”

A three-year starter for the Hurricanes who transferred from The Rock her sophomore year, Terry, who has signed to play for Louisiana Tech, led the team in assists and steals and was second in scoring behind Cardwell with 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

“She’s been with me since I first started coaching at Gainesville High,” Rollins said. “She’s been a part of my journey as a coach. We have both molded each other into better individuals. She is one hell of an athlete and player. Wherever she ends up she knows the expectations will be high for her, but I know she will meet those expectations.”

Next up on the first team is Newberry junior guard Brandy Whitfield. Whitfield helped lead the Panthers to a 17-7 record and trip to the second round of the 3A playoffs. She led the Panthers and was one of the area’s top scorers, averaging 23.6 points per game while adding 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals per contest.

“Brandy is an all-around player who can do it all,” Newberry coach Dameon Hughes said.

Bradford (Starke) advanced to the postseason with a 13-9 record. The Tornadoes were eliminated by Rutherford (Panama City) in the opening round of the 3A playoffs. The Tornadoes are represented on the first team by junior guard/forward Ar’Nayshia Griffin.

Griffin averaged a double-double for Bradford and led the area in scoring with 25.7 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game along with 3.4 steals per game.

The final member of the first team is Columbia senior forward/center Jolena Gardner. The Tigers missed the postseason with a 9-10 record, but Gardner was the second-leading scorer for Columbia with 12.4 points and also second in rebounds (7.6) and blocks (1.5).

Two Newberry players lead the second team. Senior guard Sarah Beaulieu was second on the Panthers squad in scoring with 14.6 points per game. She led Newberry with 4.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game.

“Sarah was our floor general and our leader on the floor,” Hughes said.

Beaulieu is joined on the second team by teammate junior guard Jada Brown. Brown averaged 11.6 points and 2.7 rebounds a game for the Panthers.

“Jada is a two-way player who can shoot the 3 ball and post you up when we need her to,” Hughes said.

Columbia senior guard Ayesha Broxey represents the Tigers on the second team. Broxey led Columbia in scoring with 13.2 points per game and added 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest.

Buchholz was 9-13 and missed the Class 6A state playoffs, but the Bobcats have a representative on the All Area second team in freshman guard Alessia Chaves-Torres. Chaves-Torres led Buchholz in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game.

The final member of the second team is Eastside senior guard Akira Martin. She helped lead the Rams to a District 5-4A title and a trip to the 4A state playoffs. Eastside was eliminated in the first round by Mulberry.

Martin led Eastside in scoring averaging just over 10 points per game. 

GIRLS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (1st Team) 

G – Jamison Cardwell, Gainesville (SR) 

G – Brandy Whitfield, Newberry (JR) 

G/F – Jayden Terry, Gainesville (SR) 

G/F – Ar’Nayshia Griffin, Bradford (JR) 

F/C – Jolena Gardner, Columbia (SR) 

GIRLS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (2nd Team) 

G – Sarah Beaulieu, Newberry (SR) 

G – Alessia Chaves-Torres, Buchholz (FR) 

G – Ayesha Broxey, Columbia (SR) 

G – Jada Brown, Newberry (JR) 

G – Akira Martin, Eastside (SR) 

Honorable mention: 

Bradford (Starke) – Nichelle Brown (SR) 

Buchholz – Kennedy Wyckoff (SR), Taylor Booth (JR) 

Columbia (Lake City) – Mariah Cox (JR) 

Eastside – Asiya McDonald (FR), Trinity Cooper (SR) 

Gainesville – Kendall Ruise (SR), Mayah Gordon (SR) 

Keystone Heights – Kadence Massey (JR), Riley Shuford (SO) 

Newberry – Destiny Neal (FR)