Broward County teams to watch

American Heritage: The bar is high in Plantation after four consecutive state titles, and Heritage could very well meet it again. The Patriots graduated star forwards Taliyah and Tatyana Wyche, as well as steady guard Daniella Aronsky. Additionally, star guard Sydney Shaw transferred to Daytona Beach DME Academy. But there is still plenty of talent in Plantation. Joey Delancy, a firstteam All-County pick last season, returns. She is joined by five-star prospect and Fab Five pick Ta’Niya Latson, an FSU signee who transferred from Atlanta’s Westlake High. The Patriots look to become the third Florida program to win more than four straight titles.

Blanche Ely: The Tigers are loaded for another run at a state title. Although Blanche Ely graduated star guard Ja’Leah Williams, there are more than enough talented players to fill the void. Seniors Zaria Blake, Mya Kone and Fab Five pick Michiayah Simmons lead the way for Ely. Behind them are junior Ashleigh Battle, who transferred from Cardinal Gibbons, and sophomore Janessa Kelly, who had a breakout freshman season.

Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs are hoping this season is more reminiscent of 2019-20, when they went 25-4 and reached the state semis, than last year, when they finished the season 11-7 and their season ended in the first round of the playoffs. Cardinal Gibbons features height on its roster. Six-foot forward Nadine Ognenovic leads the way on the measuring stick, closely followed by 5-foot-11 forwards Brooke Buckman and Sophia Perez.

St.ThomasAquinas: The Raiders’ girls basketball team finally joined the likes of so many of St. Thomas’ sports programs and claimed its first state title last season. Star guard Samara Spencer graduated, but the Raiders return first-team All-County and Fab Five pick Karina Gordon and standouts Breanna Gustave and Jada Green. St. Thomas also had a big-time transfer in Fab Five pick Alancia Ramsey, who was the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach County Class 5A-1A player of the year at American Heritage-Delray last season.

Western: Western coach Brandie Louise-Taylor has helped grow the Wildcats into one of Broward County’s better programs the last few years. Western finished no better than .500 in any season from 2006-07 to 2017-18 (Taylor’s second season as the team’s coach). Over the last four seasons, the Wildcats have gone 51-32 and have competed in the Big 8 and reached the postseason. Fab Five pick Taja Stephens leads the way for Western as they look to take the next step and make a deep playoff run.