Heading into the 2023-24 girls high school basketball season, Countryside Christian coach Tambria Williams said that for her team to successful they must all play their roles well, excel at defense, “and get the ball into the hands of our scorers.”

This year’s leading scorer was junior guard Samantha Keith, who has elevated her game after averaging 15.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

Last week at the FHSAA Class 2A-District 4 tournament, Keith averaged 12 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks as the No. 2 seed Minutemen (18-3) won the district title.

“Collecting a double-double, Samantha was her steady, reliable self as she led our team to wins over St. Francis and Oak Hall, including a district title,” said Williams, who won her second district title in five years.

Keith’s best game was in the district semifinals as the No. 2 seed Minutemen defeated No. 3 St. Francis Catholic Academy, 37-22, as Keith scored 11 points, grabbed 21 rebounds, and added four assists, seven steals and two blocks.

In a 34-29 win against top seed Oak Hall in the district championship game, she scored 13 points and added six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block, including a reverse layup with 35 seconds remaining to put the Minutemen up 32-29.

She played all 32 minutes in both games.

Entering the year, Williams said Keith was “the anchor of the team.”

For the season, she is averaging 17 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals, 2.4 assists and 0.5 blocks.

“Sam is a great teammate and scorer who commands the floor,” Williams said. “She is a humble kid who works hard and talks with her stats.”

Keith becomes the 25^th athlete to be selected for the weekly award during the 2023-24 school year.

Last week’s winner was De’Mya Adams of the Hawthorne girls basketball team.

Adams scored 55 points in leading Hawthorne to a 3-0 week with wins against Trenton, P.K. Yonge, and Chiefland. Her best game was against Trenton when she scored 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%). She made four 3-pointers against the Lady Tigers on 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%).

Recent winners include Palmer Walton of the Buchholz boys basketball team, and Cornelius White of the Gainesville boys basketball team.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

Coaches can email their nominations each week, along with stats, no later than Sunday night to mike.ridaught@mainstreetdailynews.com.