We move on to Central Florida for our regional previews.
TOP FIVE “BIG” SCHOOLS (CLASS 7A thru 4A)
Orlando Edgewater (Class 6A, Region 2, District 5): The Eagles lost a couple of key pieces from last year’s Class 6A runner-up but still bring enough back along with some transfer talent to be right back in the championship hunt. Darius Washington, III, a 6’5 senior, will provide a significant scoring punch from the perimeter. Myles Mayfield, a 6’8 senior, is an athletic finisher and shot blocker in the paint. Dylan Foster, a 6’2 junior, pushes the pace on offense and spearheads a tenacious team defense. Ethan Simon, a 6’7 senior, and Jacari Lofton, a 6’5 junior, are bookend forwards that rebound, run, work hard on the defensive end, and make the most of their offensive opportunities.
Orlando Evans (Class 6A, Region 2, District 5): The Trojans return some key players from last year’s Class 7A Final Four team. However, due to FHSAA re-classification, they slide down to 6A and it will be a greater challenge to get back to Lakeland. Most notable is 6’2 senior Arosco Dubois. He is an excellent perimeter shooter, can create his own shot, and can get to and score at the basket when the opportunity presents itself. He has a strong frame and is a very good rebounder for his size. Davis Rushing, a 6’3 senior, has consistent range to the three-point line, scores well around the basket in transition and cuts into the lane, and is an active rebounder at both ends. Antonio Pollard, a 6’1 senior, is really good in transition and attacking the basket off the dribble in the half-court. The Trojans have a trio of 6’6+ juniors that will rotate in and out to coral rebounds and protect the basket on defense.
Orlando Oak Ridge (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): This group of Pioneers is looking to avenge its overtime loss to Miami Columbus in last year’s Class 7A title game. While the Pioneers may not have the overall depth it had last year, there is still plenty of talent. Jamier Jones, a 6’6 senior and Providence commit, is explosive to the hoop with or without the basketball, and levitates quickly to score in a crowd. A terrific rebounder and slick passer, Jones is fun to watch. So is 6’1 senior Jalen Reece. He is very quick with the ball, can pull up off the dribble in a nanosecond and make shots from deep, as well as find teammates when penetrating the defense. Zay Mosley, a 6’8 senior, provides an interior presence at both ends of the floor. Maddox Harden, a 6’7 sophomore, is going to be the one to do some of the grunge work inside and on defense to make things a bit easier for everyone else. Solomon Bradshaw, a 5’9 junior, adds additional speed and quickness at both ends of the court.
Windermere (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): If the Wolverines’ campus were ten miles to the east, they would probably be a lock to get to Lakeland out of Region One in 7A. As it stands, they are in a tough region two with a host of other challengers. No doubt this group will be up for the task. T.J. Drain, a 6’8 senior, is a Liberty University commit. He owns the glass at both ends, challenges, changes, and blocks shots around the basket, and has become adept at dropping in shots from 12-15 feet. Lucas Boyd, a 6’2 junior, is adept ate either spot in the backcourt with his speed, quickness and outside shooting ability. Over the summer he proved to be a reliable facilitator, rugged defender, and a guy that routinely makes winning plays that don’t show up in the box score. Sean Owens, a 6’2 senior, will be called on to play a variety of positions at both ends of the floor. Gustavo Roca, a 6’2 sophomore, comes over from Windermere Prep where he had a solid freshman season. He plays with a calmness and productivity that belies his age.
St. Cloud (Class 7A, Region 2, District 6): It has been a long time since St. Cloud has experienced any type of success on the basketball court. Last year’s team just narrowly missed out on a regional playoff birth. Everyone of significance returns, heightening expectations for this season. A pair of seniors, 6’0 Alex Springs and 6’0 Josiah Catto, are a tough one-two combination to stop. Both are athletic, can score in a variety of ways, and play with a high level of intensity at both ends of the floor. Julian Fox, a 6’4 sophomore, will step in and help with the scoring load after spending a season at an Orlando prep school.
TOP FIVE “SMALL” SCHOOLS (CLASS 3A thru Rural)
Orlando Central Florida Christian Academy (Class 1A, Region 2, District 7): After years as a player and assistant coach at The First Academy, Albert Settles takes the reins as the man in charge at CFCA. He has some good pieces to start with in 6’6 junior Justin Brigham and 6’5 senior Alex Dipaolo. Brigham is strong, plays big for his size, and has good scoring tools from fifteen feet and in. Dipaolo impressed over the summer with his outside shooting and unending motor at both ends of the court. There are a lot of new faces on the roster and it will take some time for the team chemistry to get right, but once it does CFCA will be a tough out every time they step on the floor.
Orlando Christian Prep (Class 1A, Region 2, District 7): Truth be told, we are not sure what kind of team the Warriors are going to put out on the floor in 24-25. What we do know is Head Coach Treig Burke has a winning history over the past decade or so where it seems like OCP is a fixture in Lakeland in their classification. This program has been able to use its defense to fuel its offense and that formula tends to work regardless of the talent level. That is good enough until proven otherwise.
Orlando Lake Highland Prep (Class 3A, Region 2, District 6): LHP doesn’t have much size so it relies on a group of guards to get the job done. R.J. Ingram, a 6’3 junior, was very impressive at different events this past summer. He is athletic, gets to the rim and finishes in traffic, and works hard on the defensive end. Junior Atwal Shiva is a 6’5 shooter that can stretch defenses. Junior Michael Madueme is 6’4 and shows a solid basketball IQ and competency in all of the fundamental areas of the game.
Oviedo The Master’s Academy (Class 2A, Region 1, District 4): Under the guidance of Head Coach Reggie Kohn, the Eagles have become one of the more consistent programs in the region. Josh Pitts, a 6’0 senior, will get every opportunity to run the show on offense. Micah Taber, a 6’7 senior, will be called upon to man the middle but has the skills to play inside and out. The Master’s will play at a fast tempo, take a lot of threes, and look to wear teams down with that style of play.
Windermere Prep (Class 3A, Region 2, District 6): The Lakers will once again be a factor in Class 3A. Sam Shoptaw, a 6’3 senior, is solid at the point guard slot. He looks to get teammates involved first, takes care of the basketball vs pressure and will knock down perimeter shots when called upon. Brandon Bass, Jr., a 6’5 junior, continues to rise in the national rankings for the Class of 2026. The lefty is lethal from deep, is becoming more adept at putting the ball on the floor to score and is a more-than-capable playmaker when heading to the hoop. Isaiah Gillard, a 6’4 junior, is another wing that can score and distribute with a high level of effectiveness. Malachi Martis, a 6’6 senior, is a tough matchup. He is physical and strong enough to overpower most defenders, scoring inside or powering his way to the basket from the high post and/or short corners.
Top Five Players
Jamier Jones, Orlando Oak Ridge: The 6’6 senior and Providence pledge is one of the more exciting basketball players in the state. While his head-above-the-rim dunks get the crowd going, his rebounding and passing abilities are also top notch. Jones has excelled against national caliber competition throughout his high school career.
Jalen Reese, Orlando Oak Ridge: A 6’1 senior and LSU pledge, Reese is considered one of the top ten or so point guards in the country this coming season. Not only does he get his teammates the ball at the right time and right place but Reese can create and make his own shot from well beyond the high school three point line.
Zay Mosely, Orlando Oak Ridge: The 6’7 Mosely transferred in from Winter Haven and should provide an immediate impact for the national-ranked Pioneers. A good athlete with strength, he scores well around the rim, controls his rebounding area and outlets the ball quickly. Mosely runs the floor, doesn’t mind playing physical at either end, and challenges shots inside.
Darius Washington III, Orlando Edgewater: The 6’4 senior is a lethal scorer. He has an accurate perimeter shot out to the arc, can put the ball on the floor, get to the basket and score, and create havoc on the defensive end with his disruptive instincts in the passing lanes. Once he gets into a rhythm on offense, “D-3” is tough to stop.
Terrance Drain, Windermere: Watching the 6’8 senior improve over the past few years has been very rewarding. He has worked hard to develop his body and skills. Drain runs the floor well, will score inside on post-ups and can step away and connect from fifteen feet and in with consistency. He has also become an impactful rebounder and shot blocker.
#1 Senior: Jamier Jones, Orlando Oak Ridge (see above)
#1 Junior: Brandon Bass, Windermere Prep – A 6’5 lefty, Bass is considered a top fifty player in the national class of 2026. His calling card is his ability to routinely knock down deep jumpers but his mid-range game and scoring ability at the rim showed noticeable improvement this spring and summer.
#1 Sophomore: Henry Robinson, Jr., Deltona Pine Ridge – The 6’6 sophomore’s father is also his high school coach, so when Dad left Palm Coast Matanzas for Deltona Pine Ridge, naturally “junior” came along. Quite skilled and athletic, the game comes very easy to Robinson. He has a soft jumper, good ball-skills and court vision, and can be a grab-and-go rebounder.
#1 Freshman: Josiah Gillard, Lake Minneola – The 6’0 freshman was impressive this past summer on the Jr. EYBL circuit with a very good Nightrydas program. He can score and distribute, play solid defense on the ball, and is a coach on the floor.
Senior Sleeper: Gian-Paul Anderson, Orlando East River – The 6’0 guard was a catalyst for a rare winning season at East River in 23-24. He averaged just over 20 points a contest. While the opponents knew it was coming, Anderson found creative ways to score from the perimeter as well as at the rim.