There are some good teams in this classification.  However, there is no one team or one player that jumps out as “must see” for this coming season.

Favorite: Ponte Vedra

In a revised Class 5A where there is no clear favorite, the Sharks have enough returning experience and talent to grab the title.  David Sanchez, a 6’0 senior, has been a key contributor each of the last two seasons and this year will make more of an impact now that he should see more court time.  Paul Burkhardt, a 6’4 senior, can be a tough matchup with his ability to shoot from the perimeter as well as play physically around the basket.  Maddox Palmer, a 6’6 junior, will find the offense running thru him at times.  He sees the floor well and quickly finds open teammates for shots.  Trace Westercamp, a 6’9 junior, will score inside over smaller defenders and take bigger ones away from the basket and drop in perimeter shots.

Regional Favorites: Leesburg (Region Two); Port Charlotte (Region Three); Pembroke Pines Charter (Region Four)

Regardless of who graduates or transfers, Leesburg always seems to field the right mix of skilled and athletic ballers to keep them in contention.  Last year’s region finalist will rely on 6’5 junior Angelo Moton to lead a run to Lakeland.  In what may be a surprise choice, Port Charlotte seems to have an inside track from Region Three.  Dallas Lambert, a 6’4 junior, has the talent to lead this hard playing squad to its best season in years.  Last year’s 6A champion, Pembroke Pines Charter, has a very tough road to get back to Lakeland in 5A.  However, returning players such as 6’1 senior Max Ortega and 6’2 junior David Nealey should give the team a leg up on the competition.

Best Player: Max Ortega, Pembroke Pines Charter

Ortega was a revelation this past spring and summer with Florida Pro.  He proved to be an excellent ball-handler and distributor, made good decisions in transition and in ball-screen situations, and shot the ball well on both sides of the arc.  Last year’s team was inside-oriented but this time around the talent is mainly on the perimeter.  That should give Ortega plenty of options when it comes to getting the ball in the basket.

Pre-Season All-State: Ortega; Trace Westercamp (Ponte Vedra); Cornelius White (Gainesville); Landon Joseph (Oakland Park Northeast); Angelo Moton (Leesburg)

Westercamp is a new-age big man that can step out and drill threes as well as score with basic moves on the blocks.  White, a 6’7 senior, is a strong man down low that punishes opponents around the basket at both ends of the court.  Joseph averaged nearly 20 ppg last season.  He has the skills to play either guard spot effectively.  Moton is making a rapid transition from overpowering athlete to skilled basketball player.

Better Than Advertised: Lecanto

It isn’t a big team but Lecanto will be no easy out come playoff time.  The backcourt of juniors T.J. Lipton, 5’10, and Braylon Moore, 6’0, can score with anybody.  If the team can effectively gang rebound against bigger opponents and find one more scorer, they will surprise a lot of naysayers.

Don’t Sleep On: Darius Black, Hialeah American

Black may only be about 6’5 but the senior is strong, athletic, and punishes people on the block.  He has quick feet, a soft touch, and relentlessly pursues the ball coming off the rim.  Black is also a decent passer out of the post or when on the perimeter.

PRE-SEASON TOP TEN

1.Ponte Vedra

2.Pembroke Pines Charter

3.Leesburg

4.Oakland Park Northeast

5.Miami Norland

6.Port Charlotte

7.Pensacola Pine Forest

8.Gainesville

9.Tallahassee Lincoln

10.Miami Belen Jesuit