Most of the movement in this classification simply results from schools going from 4A to 3A with the FHSAA re-shuffling the deck. However, there are a few items of note. Panama City Bozeman and Freeport jump up from Class 1A (now rural) into this classification. The same goes for Newberry in North Central Florida. Region 2 in Central Florida looks to be extremely competitive with the likes of The Villages, Windermere Prep, Tampa Berkeley Prep, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, Lake Alfred Discovery and others. The same can be said for Region 3 which covers much of the lower peninsula. Fort Myers Bishop Verot, Fort Myers Gateway Charter, and Calvary Christian in Fort Lauderdale are all worthy contenders for Lakeland but only one will get there. Long story short: Regions Two and Three are powerhouses while Regions One and Four are much less so.
Favorite: Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
The Eagles have a great mix of talent, size, and experience. Sean Abaev, a 6’7 senior, is a top fifty player in the country. He was dynamic on the Under Armor Association circuit this spring and summer with his ability to score from all over. Collin Paul, a 6’6 junior, is a high-energy guy that has developing skills on the perimeter. Cayden Daughtry, a 5’10 sophomore, already holds several D-I offers. He can and will score and assist in bunches. Samuel Hallas, a 6’7 junior, K.J. Francis, a 6’4 junior, and 6’5 freshman Brandon Sharpe will provide plenty of support on the glass as well as the scoreboard.
Regional Favorites: Tallahassee Florida High (Region 1); The Villages Charter (Region 2); Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (Region 4)
Florida High looks to be a strong contender to reach Lakeland out of that region. Trey Card, a 6’6 senior, was impressive this spring and summer and looks destine to at least double his 10ppg average from last season. Iyran Francis, a 6’7 senior, patrols the paint at both ends while 6’0 senior Amare Robinson provides significant scoring punch from the perimeter. The Villages Charter is a young but talented group that will have to survive a tough region two. Adyn Corbin, a 6’1 senior, provides leadership and poise at the point guard spot. Hurley Brutus, a 6’7 junior, and Jomar Bernard, a 6’6 sophomore, are versatile wings that can play inside and outside at both ends of the court. Nate Britt, a 6’0 sophomore, is a scorer that can heat up in a hurry. Cardinal Gibbons out of Fort Lauderdale looks to be at the top of region four going into the season. M.J. Perrier, a 6’5 senior, will be key to the team’s success, as will 5’11 junior A.J. Ambrose, 6’3 junior Justus Dylan-Herbert and 6’6 sophomore Ehtan Matthews.
Best Player: Sean Abaev, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
As noted earlier, Abaev is a top fifty player in the country and has his pick of high-major schools to choose from. He is a terrific outside shooter and does as fine a job as anyone at creating and making contested shots off the dribble. Abaev is also a good rebounder and under-rated passer that makes plays for others when the defense gives him too much attention.
Pre-Season All-State: Abaev; Trey Card (Tallahassee Florida High); Brandon Bass (Windermere Prep); Pat Johnson (Fort Myers Gateway Charter); Hurley Brutus (The Villages Charter)
The 6’6 Card is a senior with a strong body and high-level athleticism. He is quite skilled, plays a variety of positions, and makes plays in crunch time. Bass, a 6’4 junior, is a top thirty player in the national class of 2026. The lefty has an accurate stroke from deep, finishes above the rim, and puts in the work on defense. Johson, a 6’8 senior, is a tough interior scorer, rebounder, and defender. He is strong, plays physical at both ends, and is fast up and down the floor. Brutus, a 6’7 junior, is a deluxe defender, playmaker, and rebounder. He would probably be a 20+ppg scorer if he were not so team-oriented.
Better Than Advertised: Boca Raton St. Andrew’s
We feel like St. Andrew’s is too often overlooked at the beginning of the season. Regardless of the roster makeup, St. Andrew’s always seems to put together a playoff push. This year a pair of junior guards, 6’0 Brendan Gerard and Xander Gerard, will look to elevate the team. Last year at Delray American Heritage, the twins combined for over thirty points a contest. Zion Sampaio, a 6’6 senior, provides a presence on the interior.
Don’t Sleep On: Javien Jones, West Palm Beach King’s Academy
The 6’2 senior is a dynamic athlete that can really score. He has a variety of dribble moves that he uses to either get to the rim or create space for his very accurate perimeter jumper. He averaged eighteen points a game as a junior last season and no doubt will up that this time around.
PRE-SEASON TOP TEN
1.Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2.The Villages Charter
3.Windermere Prep
4.Fort Myers Gateway Charter
5.Tallahassee FSU School
6.Fort Myers Bishop Verot
7.Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons
8.Clearwater Calvary Christian
9.Orlando Lake Highland Prep
10.Walton