Setting The Bar

Led by 3 athletes on ESPN’s Top 100 chart, the DME Academy Girls Basketball team was primed to have a trend setting season; and while it wasn’t the fairy tale ending they had hoped for, there is still plenty for the program to be proud of.

They ended their season ranked #6 in the country with a record of 25-4, plus they added an SIAA State Championship title to the trophy case. In addition to dominating throughout the state of Florida, the program also made its first ever GEICO National Championship tournament berth. Their 25 win season included marquee victories over Monteverde in January,  Lake Highland and Central Pointe to win the SIAA and clinch the spot in the GEICO National Tournament.

“This year’s team redefined our metrics for success,” Says Michael Panaggio, Director of Girls Basketball at DME. “We accomplished so much this season, and we really set the bar for what this program is capable of. I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to all of our seniors who have left this program in an even better position than it was in when they found it.”

The squad’s ‘big 3’ proved to be the real deal this season. Even in their semi-final loss, Sydney Shaw (ranked #49) and Amiya Evans (ranked #65) combined for 23 points, while junior Chloe Kitts (ranked #16) put up a game-high 25 points and 13 rebounds.

“Kitts, currently No. 16 in the 2023 class, is a highly sought-after wing prospect,” says ESPN’s Shane Laflin. “She holds offers from every major conference in the country. She is very effective in the mid-range and around the paint in face-up opportunities. As she expands the consistency of her range, her stock will rise even more. She averages 18.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game to lead DME.”

Kitts is set to return for the 2023 season, alongside Michelle Ugwah, Asiana Britt, Janiya Johnson, and Zeryhia Aokuso. A roster bolstered with young talent and compounding years of team chemistry puts another run at a GEICO National Championship in reach.

All eyes are on Daytona Beach for the 2022-23 season. Are you ready to play on the national stage? Click here to get in contact with our team so you can learn more about what it takes to play at DME Academy.