This is the third of five stories unveiling the 2025-26 Bosshardt Realty All Area Basketball Teams. Click here to read about the small school girls team and the small school boys team.
This past season, the Newberry girls basketball team was one win away from its first final four since 2012.
Last year, the Lady Panthers won their first district title in eight years, and this year, Newberry (21-5) was the No. 1 seed heading into the Class 3A-District 3 tournament.
The eventual regional finalists led the way with three selections on the Bosshardt Realty All Area big school team (Class 3A-6A).
In an easy first-round win against Keystone Heights, 78-40, in the district semifinals, 5’5 senior guard Brandy Whitfield scored 39 points and added six assists and four steals.
The Daytona State College signee made Mainstreet’s All Area first team after averaging 28.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 3.7 steals.
“Brandy is a great all-around athlete,” said Newberry first-year coach Jessica Ross. “She averaged 28 points per game and played a key role as a leader on the court, guiding us throughout the season.”
Whitfield, who scored 38 points in the district championship game, had 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds in her final game with the Panthers, a 68-34 loss at Bolles (Jacksonville) in the 3A-Region 1 Final.
Her teammate, forward/center Destiny Neal, joined her on the first team.
Neal (5’10), who just missed a triple-double in the district semifinals with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, averaged 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.6 steals as a sophomore.
“Destiny played a major role for us in her sophomore season,” Ross said. “She was our second leading scorer, averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds per game. She dominated in the paint with a strong post presence while bringing toughness and hustle to the court.”
Despite beating Bradford (Starke) twice during the regular season by an average margin of victory of 31 points, the Panthers lost to the Tornadoes in the district championship game.
All Area senior guard Ar’Nayshia Griffin helped lead the Tornadoes (16-10) to their first district title in 13 years.
The 6’0” Coastal Carolina signee, who had a game-high 24 points in The Prep Zone All-Star Showcase on Saturday, April 4, scored 36 points in a 64-62 win against Newberry in the Class 3A-District 3 championship game on Feb. 6.
“Ar’Nayshia is a heck of a player and an even better person and leader for her teammates,” said Bradford coach Sampson Jackson. “From the moment she arrived on campus at Bradford High School, she has been a positive influence on everyone around her. Her dedication to her craft is unmatched, and she has invested countless hours preparing herself for the opportunity she’s earned.”
Griffin is the only player at her school to score 1,000 points in her career.
“Her contributions to Bradford girls basketball are immeasurable,” Jackson said. “She has left her mark not only statistically on the program, but also by setting the standard for hard work and dedication. I am extremely proud of her and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her.”
Class 5A-District 2 champion GHS placed junior guard/forward Sarah Collins (5’11) on the first team after she averaged 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Hurricanes (12-10).
“Besides being a team captain, Sarah played the role as our own personal Swiss Army Knife in a GHS uniform,” said first-year GHS coach Ken Mitchell. “She was asked to do a ton of different things this year. Without hesitation and full commitment, she is always willing to take on the next challenge. Sarah is smart, hardworking, and internally motivated to become the best player she can possibly become.”
The fifth member of the first team is guard/forward Taylor Booth of Buchholz.
The senior, who had 16 points in the regional All-Star game, led the Lady Bobcats (19-8) in scoring (15.6 ppg) and free throw percentage (73%).
“Taylor is an extremely versatile and high-IQ player who impacts the game on both ends of the floor,” said Buchholz coach Niya Johnson. “She’s the type of athlete who does whatever is needed to help her team win, whether that’s scoring, defending, or making the extra play. Her leadership, consistency, and competitive mindset set the tone for us all season and she was a major reason for our success.”
Forward/center Jada Brown (5’10), who made the second team, was the third Newberry player selected.
The senior was third on the Panthers in scoring (10.9 ppg) and second in rebounding (5.6 rpg).
“Jada is a player who is capable of playing all positions on the court,” Ross said. “She was our third leading scorer, averaging 10 ppg. She’s a consistent contributor who provides steady production and support on both ends of the court.”
Joining her in the frontcourt is forward/center Takarii Jackson of GHS. The junior led the ‘Canes in scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounds (5.8 rpg).
“Besides being a team captain, Takarii played the role as our inside anchor,” Mitchell said. “Her ability to close space, rebound, defend, and score inside was a huge part of our team’s success. Her growth throughout the course of the season was absolutely amazing to witness firsthand. Takarii’s competitive nature is a force to be reckoned with on any given night.”
Leading the way in the backcourt is Buchholz sophomore guard Alessia Chaves-Torres.
She finished second on the Bobcats in scoring at 14.6 ppg.
“Alessia is a tough, disciplined guard who brings energy and intensity every time she steps on the court,” Johnson said. “She’s a reliable player who takes pride in making smart decisions offensively. Her unselfishness made her an important piece of our team, and she continually elevated those around her.”
Eastside, which won the Class 4A-District 5 title, placed two on the second team.
Freshman guard/forward Gabby Webber (6’0) led the Rams in scoring (10.8 ppg) and rebounding (5.2 rpg).
“Gabby is an outstanding 6’1 freshman guard who contributed and performed at an extremely high level for the Lady Rams this year,” said Coach Lonna Turner. “Her confidence from the three-point line, combined with her ability to slip through defenders and elevate for acrobatic finishes at the rim, is truly special—it even reminds you of the creativity and poise of Larry Bird.
Webber had a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) in a 48-41 win at North Marion (Citra) in the district semifinals.
“Beyond her natural talent, Gabby is the kind of athlete every program hopes to have,” Turner said. “She’s disciplined, hardworking, and incredibly coachable, always pushing herself and her teammates to improve. Her basketball IQ, versatility, and competitive spirit make her a dynamic presence on the court, whether she’s scoring, creating opportunities for others, or stepping up in big moments…her impact goes far beyond the stat sheet, and she’s a big part of the foundation we’re building for the future of Lady Rams basketball.”
Joining her on the second team is sophomore forward Ke’Aisha Williams.
“The best way to describe this year for Ke’Aisha is simple—the light switch came on,” Turner said. “As a 5 ’11 sophomore forward, she really began to put all the pieces of her game together and showcase the talent we’ve known she had. Her quickness set her apart, allowing her to make plays all over the court, and her instinct for rebounding—especially on put-backs—made her a constant presence in the paint.”
Williams averaged 6.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game for the Lady Rams (9-18),
“What stood out most this season was the pride she took in her defense. Once she committed to that side of the ball, her entire game elevated and her offense really took flight…she grew into a reliable, high-energy player who impacted the game on both ends of the court.”
2025-2026 Bosshardt Realty All Area Basketball
GIRLS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (1st Team)
G – Brandy Whitfield, Newberry (SR)
G – Ar’Nayshia Griffin, Bradford (SR)
G/F – Taylor Booth, Buchholz (SR)
G/F – Sarah Collins, GHS (JR)
F/C – Destiny Neal, Newberry (SO)
GIRLS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (2nd Team)
G – Alessia Chaves-Torres, Buchholz (SO)
G/F – Gabby Webber, Eastside (FR)
F – Ke’Aisha Williams, Eastside (SO)
F/C – Takarii Jackson, GHS (JR)
F/C – Jada Brown, Newberry (SR)
Honorable mention:
Buchholz – Jelaiyah Williams (SO)
Columbia (Lake City) – Kinley Cothran (SO)
Keystone Heights – Daisy Hubbard (JR)
Stats and/or coach nominations were not available for Santa Fe or Suwannee