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Pasco County, FL Athletics

Tampa’s Finest: The Ultimate Women’s Basketball Team in the Bay Area

TampaSportsRadioBy No Comments5 Mins Read
Presenting our all-time, all-Tampa Bay area women’s basketball team

All-Time All-Area Women’s Basketball Team

First team

F Candice Dupree, Wharton

(Class of 2002)

Former Wharton High girls basketball standout Candice Dupree, who later starred at Temple and in the WNBA, was the first Wildcats student-athlete to have her jersey retired.
Former Wharton High girls basketball standout Candice Dupree, who later starred at Temple and in the WNBA, was the first Wildcats student-athlete to have her jersey retired. [ Times, 2002 ]

The first Wharton student to have her jersey retired, Dupree was a sleek athlete in a 6-foot-3 body, averaging 21.1 points, 17.5 rebounds, six blocks, and seven steals as a senior. She had a successful career in college and the WNBA, becoming a seven-time WNBA all-star and winning a league title with Phoenix in 2014 before transitioning into coaching at Tennessee State.

They said it: “She was 6-foot-3 and athletic as all get-out. She was a natural talent. I knew right away, her junior and senior year that she was going to play at the next level, and that’s when Dawn Staley came in and grabbed her.” — Eddie Henderson, Dupree’s coach at Wharton

PG Akita Heatly, Boca Ciega

(Class of 1996)

Former Boca Ciega High girls basketball standout Akita Heatly led the Pirates to consecutive state titles in the mid-1990s.
Former Boca Ciega High girls basketball standout Akita Heatly led the Pirates to consecutive state titles in the mid-1990s. [ Times files ]

Heatly was the fleet floor general of Bogie’s back-to-back state championship teams, leading the Pirates to a 115-13 record during her four seasons. With her exceptional passing abilities, Heatly left a mark in the college scene before ultimately making it to the NCAA Tournament and the school’s hall of fame at Florida A&M.

They said it: “She’s one of the best passers I’ve ever seen, and I’ve coached college and high school. Her assists were ridiculous. Like, she’d go behind her back, between her legs, and she always made the perfect pass. (Her teammates) could catch it, she gave it to them in the perfect spot every time.” — Harry Elifson, Heatly’s coach at Boca Ciega

F Bernice Mosby, Hernando

(Class of 2002)

A career 2,000-point scorer at Hernando High, Bernice Mosby ultimately became the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft.
A career 2,000-point scorer at Hernando High, Bernice Mosby ultimately became the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 WNBA draft. [ Times, 2002 ]

Raised by a single mother in challenging circumstances, Mosby showcased her talent on the basketball court by becoming the best player in county history. Her impressive high school and college career led her to become the sixth overall pick in the WNBA draft.

F Dominique Redding, Clearwater

(Class of 2003)

Former Clearwater High standout Dominique Redding played for the University of Tennessee's 2007 national title team.
Former Clearwater High standout Dominique Redding played for the University of Tennessee’s 2007 national title team. [ ELIZABETH OLIVIER | UTLadyVols.com, 2007 ]

Redding had a stellar prep career, leading Clearwater to multiple final fours and a state runner-up finish. Her versatility and scoring ability made her a standout player both in high school and college, ultimately winning a national title with the University of Tennessee.

They said it: “Scoring machine. … We had wars against her. She was just the opposite of Akita (Heatly). She was a scorer, would take it off the dribble, shoot it. She changed the game, because you couldn’t stop her. She had size, she could play inside and outside.” — Elifson

PG Necole Tunsil, Lakewood

(Class of 1989)

Lakewood basketball star Necole Tunsil, seen slathered in college recruitment letters, helped lead Iowa to the 1993 Women's Final Four.
Lakewood basketball star Necole Tunsil, seen slathered in college recruitment letters, helped lead Iowa to the 1993 Women’s Final Four. [ Times, 1989 ]

Tunsil’s skills on the court led her to achieve great success in high school and college, eventually becoming a leading figure in the coaching realm as well.

They said it: “Haven’t seen a better player ever and won’t see one unless you look at college teams. She brings the entire package. We’ve had some great ones (in the county) who did certain things well, but she does it all.” — former Pinellas Park coach Ed Jackson upon Tunsil being named the Times’ Pinellas County Player of the Year for 1989

Second team

…

Honorable mention

  • G Jerica Coley, St. Petersburg Catholic (Class of 2010)
  • PG Sabrina Crump, Countryside (Class of 1993)
  • G/F Jackie Eisenhauer, Armwood (Class of 1987)
  • G Taylor Emery, Freedom (Class of 2015)
  • G/F Jackie Pugh, Pasco (Class of 1998)
  • F Claire Roach, CCC (Class of 1993)
  • G Sthefany Thomas, Wesley Chapel (Class of 2007)
  • C Carvie Upshaw, Brandon (Class of 1985)
  • G Shinikki Whiting, Clearwater (Class of 1999)
  • F Faith Woodard, Freedom (Class of 2013)

Women’s Final Four

April 4-6, Amalie Arena. TV:ABC/ESPN

Semifinals: April 4, 7 p.m., 9:30.

Final: April 6, 3 p.m.

Information: wfftampabay.com

Conclusion

Women’s basketball has produced incredible talent in the Tampa Bay area, with players excelling at every level from high school to the pros. The legacy of these exceptional athletes continues to inspire the next generation of female basketball players.

FAQs

  • Q: Why are there only 10 honorable mentions?
  • A: The list was curated to highlight the best of the best, making it more challenging to earn a spot.
  • Q: What criteria were used to select the all-time team?
  • A: The selection process considered a player’s performance at the high school, college, and professional levels, giving weight to sustained excellence in the sport.
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