All-News4JAX girls basketball: Karaoke and chemistry the secret for success for Bolles and Abby Knauff

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The best season in Bolles girls basketball history had an assist from a secret weapon.

Sure, Abby Knauff, the Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls basketball player of the year played a starring role, but perhaps an even greater force than what happened on the court was what happened off of it.

Cue up the karaoke machine.

Swap the basketball for a microphone and Bolles players may have even had more fun than they did on the court. Knauff a 5-9 combo guard, who averaged 15.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game and led Bolles to a Class 3A state runner-up finish, said the reason for success was as simple as carrying a tune.

The chemistry on this Bulldogs team was the unifier.

“Just all the way down, like to Fort Lauderdale, not even kidding, two and a half hours straight, singing on the microphone, music blaring, you know, just having fun,” Knauff said. “And just that all goes towards the court. So just the more of, I say, sisterhood, connected.”

On long bus rides, Knauff and her Bolles teammates cranked up the music and belted out the tunes as best they could. From the classics to current hits, they sang and sang and sang.

As good … or, ahem, as harmonically challenged … as some players sounded , it provided some of the best memories of a history-making season. Knauff said that those moments were invaluable in helping shape the season.

The stressors of worrying about a higher ranked opponent or if a certain player had a bad game melted away underneath the sounds of road trip karaoke.

“I think just the connection; like we spent so much time together on and off the court, it’s really just chemistry,” Knauff said. “I think chemistry is what helps teams win.”

Bolles had won plenty in the past, but never like it did this season. The Bulldogs had run into Springfield Rutherford in previous trips to the regionals in Knauff’s career and never hurdled the Rams. In fact, in Bolles’ unmatched athletic history, Bulldogs teams had played for championships nearly 270 times and won 163 of those. The outlier remained the girls basketball team.

Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls basketball players of the year

They had never even been past the regional round, let alone a state semifinal or a final. Knauff said she had a good feeling before the season that this team could do big things. Underclassmen players like Presley Norman, Evie Freeman and Terrell McCoy had matured into leaders in their own right. And when the season began, things just felt different.

Knauff said her senior season felt like her eighth grade year at Liberty Pines Academy when things finally clicked and resulted in a middle school championship.

“It kind of felt like that feeling is coming back and just knowing how far my team has come since my freshman year,” she said.

Bolles barreled through the regular season, losing just once to a local team (Class 2A state runner-up Providence). The Bulldogs beat rival Bishop Kenny for the first time after a five-year, nine-game losing streak to their biggest rival, a moment Knauff says ranks as the best singular moment of her career.

They cleared the regional roadblock Rutherford and won handily (52-38) to reach their first state final four for head coach Kelly Stevenson. They held on to beat Somerset Academy Canyons in overtime before coming up short to Cardinal Mooney in the title game.

“I think it’s kind of emotional just because nobody’s done that before,” Knauff said. “So. it’s kind of like, our year is going to be up there [on the wall] for forever. So, it’s kind of just cool to like, look at it and be like, ‘wow, my, team that I was on did this.”

Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls basketball team

Position, Player, School, Class, Notable

G Trinity Berry, Ribault, So.

Combo guard led the Trojans in scoring (16.6 ppg) and flashed enormous potential in her first season. Added 1.2 steals per game, too, as Ribault won a district title.

G Audrey Beyer, Tocoi Creek, Jr.

In the conversation as the area’s best player. Was a third-team selection last year. The 6-foot shooting guard led Toros to 20-8 record and first state semifinal in school history. Averaged 19.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg. Surpassed 1,000 career points this season.

F Janie Boyd, Providence, Sr.

Surpassed 1,000 career points in her final season. Contributor since eighth grade for the Stallions. Averaged 13.8 ppg as Stallions reached the Class 2A state championship game. Headed to the University of the South. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Kathleen Crawley, Bishop Kenny, So.

Massive jump in production in her second season, boosting output from 7.5 ppg to 16 for the 25-5 Crusaders. Also hauled in 4.4 rebounds a game. Good chance for the 5-11 shooter to surpass 1,000 career points next season.

W Kasey Davey, Providence, Jr.

Received several votes from area coaches as the top player. Averaged 12.9 points, 8.2 rebounds a game for the 24-7 state runners-up. Could eclipse 1,000 career points next season.

G Abby Knauff, Bolles, Sr.

Varsity 4 All-News4JAX player of the year. Two-time All-News4JAX selection. UNF signee. Averaged 15.3 points, 5.1 rebounds a game to lead Bulldogs to Class 3A state final four for the first time. Scored 1,848 career points.

Second team

Position, Player, School, Class, Notable

G/F Nacoya Blocton, Ridgeview, Sr.

Four-year starter for the Panthers, she averaged 15.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in her final season for 20-6 Ridgeview. Finished career with 1,324 points. Second-team All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Evie Freeman, Bolles, Jr.

Career-best season included 13.4 ppg average. Also hauled in 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 25-6 Bulldogs who reached the 3A state championship game. Should pass 1,000 career points quickly next season. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Sawsan Kamara, NFEI, So.

Averaged team-best 14.1 ppg as NFEI had the best season in program history. Eagles went 20-13 and pushed Grandview Prep in the Class 1A state championship game.

G/W Kendall Kane, Beachside, Sr.

Was a third-team selection last year. Averaged a career-best 16.6 ppg to lead Barracudas to 14-10 record, second round of the state playoffs.

C Terrell McCoy, Bolles, Jr.

Multisport star averaged 12.1 points, team-best 8.1 rebounds as Bolles had the best season in program history. Also an international force in the shot put. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Kendall Proffitt, St. Johns Country Day, Fr.

Nearly doubled her scoring average from 14.4 to 28.7 ppg to lead the area. Shot 35% from 3-point arc and averaged 8.8 rpg. Started playing in sixth grade. Surpassed 1,000 career points this season. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

Third team

Position, Player, School, Class, Notable

G Narissa Blocton, Ridgeview, Jr.

Boosted production all around, including a team-high 17.8 ppg for the Panthers. Will open next season as perhaps the top player in Clay County and a shot to eclipse 1,000 points quickly.

G Morgan Cremen, Beachside, Jr.

Boosted her production each season, with career highs in offense (15 ppg), assists (5.6 pg), rebounds (4 pg) and 3-point percentage (37) for district champs.

G Kimora Hester, Jackson, Sr.

The 5-9 combo guard was an All-Gateway selection who helped Tigers go 16-11. Averaged 12.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Has signed with Jacksonville University. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Gabi Iturralde, Tocoi Creek, So.

Point guard ran the Toros offense better than ever and helped guide them into playoffs for the first time. Averaged 13.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 4.8 apg for 20-8 final four team.

G/F Lamiyah Hogans, San Jose Prep, Sr.

Career year for the versatile 5-11 player. Averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals a game for the 15-10 Storm. Shot nearly 80% from the free throw line. Honorable mention All-News4JAX selection last year.

G Alanna Tatum, Potter’s House, Jr.

Big contributor for University Christian in three previous seasons, she shined in first year with the Lions. Averaged 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 steals a game for 20-7 Lions, who played a largely out-of-area schedule. Surpassed 1,000 career points this season. Second team All-News4JAX selection last year.

Honorable mention

Pos., Player, School, Class

G Justice Alderman, Hilliard, 7th

G/F Anni Ament, Beachside, Jr.

F Abby Baker, Bishop Kenny, Sr.

C/F Julianna Baskin, Providence, Jr.

G Esa Brenneman, Bartram Trail, So.

F/C Miranda Campos, Bartram Trail, Jr.

G/F Caelyn Carter, Paxon, So.

G Jaycie Corley, Jackson, Sr.

F/C Gianna Crawford, Fleming Island, Fr.

G Elle Crowe, Orange Park, Fr.

G/F Aubry Davis, Bartram Trail, So.

G Jasmin Davis, Oakleaf, Sr.

G Molly Dean, Hilliard, Sr.

C Kayla Debrow, Florida Deaf, Sr.

F Trinity Dinkins, Orange Park, Fr.

F/C Destiny Donaldson, Ribault, Sr.

G/F Alyssa Donohue, Bartram Trail, Jr.

G Shelby Gaines, Bishop Snyder, Jr.

F/G Seven Gourdet, Fleming Island, Fr.

F/G Ar’Nayshia Griffin, Bradford, Jr.

F/C Zara Griffith, Episcopal, Jr.

W Alyssa Hallman, Hilliard, Jr.

G Rebekah Harmer, Harvest Community, Jr.

F/G Isreal Hart, Fort White, Sr.

G Yamise Haygood, Baker County, Jr.

G Aiyana Haynes, Middleburg, So.

G Jocelyn Hoffmann, Ponte Vedra, Fr.

F/G Ya’Zuri Hollie, Fort White, So.

F Reese Holman, Mandarin, Sr.

W Jannell Houston, North Florida Educational, Jr.

W Beyonce Jedinie, North Florida Educational, So.

G Janai Jordan, Providence, Sr.

G Nina Kamma-Hill, Paxon, Sr.

G Reese Mayer, Bishop Kenny, Sr.

F/C Leandrea Mccloud, White, Sr.

C Brie McCoy, Creekside, Jr.

F/C Asiana McCreary, Tocoi Creek, So.

W Terryanna Medlock, Ribault, Sr.

G Presley Norman, Bolles, So.

C/F Jayda Parker, Eagle’s View, Jr.

G Brylee Rains, Fletcher, So.

G Erickah Roberson, Fort White, So.

G Audrey Rollins, Nease, So.

F Sophia Scibelli, Menendez, Jr.

F Callie Seltz, Covenant School of Jacksonville, Jr.

W Jorrdann Sibley, North Florida Educational, Fr.

G Natalia Strachan, Baker County, Jr.

F Tiffani Thomas, Raines, Sr.

G Zariona Thomas, White, So.

G Hannah Timmerman, Wolfson, Sr.

G Darreniza Tobler, Raines, Jr.

G/F Makiya Trusel, Oakleaf, Sr.

C Savina Wells, Fernandina Beach, Sr.

F Joy Wright, San Jose Prep, Sr.