THE ZANE REPORT: Palm Bay Pirates Girls Basketball Players Excel at Next Level, Holy Trinity Tiger Shines at EFSC
By Zane Garcia, Space Coast Daily // February 28, 2025
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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay High School’s girls’ basketball program continues to make waves, proving to be one of the top programs in Brevard County. Several former players are excelling at the collegiate level, showcasing their skills and representing the county with pride.
Additionally, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy has one standout player making an impact at Eastern Florida State College.
As the Holy Trinity girls’ final four run has come to an end and Palm Bay High School girls prepare for their final four matchup, let’s take a look at some of the former players from Palm Bay and a Holy Trinity Tiger excelling at the next level.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
Lynn Rieth – Sophomore, Eastern Florida State College (Class of 2023)
Hailing from Melbourne, Rieth had an impressive freshman season with the Titans, earning second-team all-conference honors. She averaged 8.1 points per game in conference play and shot 40.7% from three-point range.
In her sophomore season, she increased her scoring average to 12.0 points per game before an injury limited her to just five games.
Palm Bay High School Alumni
Mikyla Tolivert – Senior, Georgia State University (Class of 2021)
Tolivert, a former Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball and 5A Player of the Year in 2020, has thrived at Georgia State University.
A three-year starter, she has consistently averaged 14 points per game over the past three seasons. Her performance in the 2023-2024 season earned her a spot on the Sun Belt All-Conference Third Team.
Kiara Williams – Freshman, University of Pittsburgh (Class of 2024)
A three-time all-state selection in high school, Williams had high expectations when she committed to Pittsburgh.
Unfortunately, a lower-leg injury sidelined her for the 2024-2025 season. Expect her to be a key contributor when she returns next season.
Emani Burks – Redshirt Junior, Nicholls State University (Class of 2021)
After a successful high school career, Burks began her collegiate journey at the University of South Alabama. Though she missed her freshman year due to injury, she rebounded by appearing in 27 games as a sophomore and starting every game as a junior.
Burks transferred to Nicholls State for her senior season, where she has started all but one game.
Emma Risch – Sophomore, University of Notre Dame (Class of 2023)
A McDonald’s All-American in high school, Risch joined Notre Dame, one of the premier women’s basketball programs in the country. Though her freshman season was cut short due to injury, she still managed to score a career-high 16 points and averaged 5 points per game in limited minutes.
This season, she has appeared in 13 games, averaging 6 points per contest.
Alonya Waldon – Sophomore, Samford University (Class of 2023)
A four-year starter at Palm Bay, Waldon transitioned to Samford University, where she saw limited minutes as a freshman, averaging 4 points per game.
In her sophomore season, she has started half of the team’s games and significantly improved her statistics in points, assists, rebounds, and shooting percentage.
Jazmine Major – Redshirt Freshman, Flagler College (Class of 2023)
Major earned FACA All-State honors in high school before committing to Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina.
After redshirting her freshman year, she transferred back to Florida and now plays for Flagler College. Coming off the bench, Major has made a strong impact, averaging 9 points and 5 rebounds per game.
