We continue our regional coverage with a look at North Florida, which we consider from Tallahassee east to Jacksonville and south to Ocala.

TOP FIVE “BIG” SCHOOLS (CLASS 7A thru 4A)

Gainesville HS (Class 5A, Region 1, District 2): The Hurricanes have a trio of players that they can rely on night in and night out.  Cornelius White, a 6’7 senior, scores well from fifteen feet and in, attacks the glass at both ends, and plays with a high motor.  Younger brother Cordarius White, a 6’5 junior, is skilled scorer that can also facilitate the offense and get teammates involved.  David Osho, a 6’7 senior, chases down rebounds and challenges shots.

Jacksonville Paxon (Class 4A, Region 1, District 4): Paxon had steadily evolved into an annual contender come post season play in this region of the state.  While they may not have a player that stands out above the others, Paxon has developed a culture of toughness on defense and aggressiveness on offense that sees them through game after game.

Jacksonville Raines (Class 4A, Region 1, District 3): The Vikings are a young team but they have tasted success and are eager for more.  Ta’veon Dunbar, a 6’2 senior, will be asked to lead this young team.  However, expect four sophomores to be big factors into whatever success the team has this season.  Jajuan Johnson (6’6), Ian Beaufort (6’3), Curtis Asberry (5’10), and Terrance Walker (6’1) are considered some of the better players in their class in Duval.

Orange Park Oakleaf (Class 6A, Region 1, District 2): You can take the same words used to describe Paxon and apply them to Oakleaf.  The squad always seems to have a deep stable of athletes that love to get out and run on offense and defend the full-court when they don’t have possession of the basketball.  Their depth and ability to play hard for the full thirty-two minutes overwhelms most opponents.

Ponte Vedra (Class 5A, Region 1, District 4): This program from “the ‘burbs” has been highly successful the last few years, making multiple trips to Lakeland.  Ponte Vedra may have its best team this season.  David Sanchez, a 6’0 senior, will run the show.  He is a tough competitor than can score and doesn’t shy away from big moments.  Paul Burkhardt, a 6’4 senior, does a little bit of everything.  He has a reliable outside shot, is a good athlete, and plays bigger than his size when it comes to rebounding the basketball.  Maddox Palmer, a 6’6 junior, is very versatile, can score or facilitate and defend multiple positions.  Trace Westcamp, a 6’9 junior, has inside/outside skills with a soft touch around the rim and the ability to step away from the basket and make shots out to the arc.

TOP FIVE “SMALL” SCHOOLS (CLASS 3A thru Rural)

Hilliard (Class Rural, Region 3, District 5): Last year’s team reached Lakeland and there is a real possibility for Hilliard to not just return but take the crown.  C.J. Hall, a 6’3 senior, is arguably the best player in the Rural classification.  He is an excellent athlete that can score from all three levels.  D.J. Alderman, a 5’7 sophomore, is quick and speedy with the ball and will push the pace at every opportunity.  King McMillan, a 6’3 freshman, was a key player as an eighth grader on last year’s team.  He has a high skill level for a young player.  Shane Harvey, a 5’8 freshman, showed flashes this summer that he will be able to impact the game when on the floor.

Jacksonville Providence (Class 2A, Region 1, District 3): Last year’s team was almost all seniors, so this year’s group features a lot of new faces.  However, after watching the team play in a few summer events, the likelihood of success is still quite high.  Luke Mayberry, a 6’2 junior, will be handed the keys to the offense.  He is solid with the ball and will drain jumpers from the perimeter.  Ryan Gornto, a 6’1 sophomore, impressed onlookers over the summer with his shooting skill and basketball IQ.  Will Rydzewski, a 6’6 sophomore, was the only underclassman to see any significant court time on last year’s team.  He offers size, a soft scoring touch, and a physical presence inside.  A pair of freshmen, 6’6 Colton Nuualiitia and 6’1 Will Stewart, should also see plenty of action.  Nuualiitia has a solid frame and skill set while Stewart will bring a needed dose of athleticism to both ends of the floor.

Jacksonville University Christian (Class 2A, Region 1, District 3): UC must be near the Port of Jacksonville because they have brought in some size from overseas.  Seniors Adalbert Allotey, Henry Arthur, and Augustine Ayelyine all stand in the 6’8 to 6’9 range, making shots near the rim a near impossibility for opponents.  That trio may not be skilled offensively but each will get his share of lob, putbacks, and transition baskets.  Marvin Christie, a 6’2 junior, will be called upon to set the offense in motion.  Ty Duncan, a 6’2 sophomore, is the guy that will be called upon to spread the floor with shots from behind the arc.  Expect freshman Preston Pride (6’0) to see solid minutes.

The Villages Charter (Class 3A, Region 2, District 5): The Buffalo have looked very good the few times we have seen them this fall.  Hurley Brutus, a 6’6 junior, has made a great impact since transferring in from Umatilla.  He has the ability to score a bunch of points but prefers to blend in, get others involved, and make an impact with his defense and rebounding.  Adyn Corbin, a 6’1 senior, is solid in his point guard role.  The lefty has good range on his shot, finishes at the rim, and harasses the ball on defense.  Nate Britt, a 6’0 sophomore, had a great summer and his confident play shows it.  He impacts the game at either guard spot.  Jomar Bernard, a 6’6 sophomore, has a smooth game, makes shots on both sides of the arc, and is a grab and go rebounder.

Williston (Class Rural, Region 4, District 7): The Red Devils have won the last two Class 1A state title and will no doubt compete for the inaugural Rural Classification crown.  Some rebuilding will need to be done but it appears the players are in place.  Leading the group will be 6’3 junior Deandre Harvey, an explosive athlete that is tough to keep from the rim.  His perimeter shot has improved to make him even more difficult to guard.  He will get support on the perimeter from seniors Xavier Kirkpatrick and Giovanni Wright.  Izaiah Lewis-Thompson (6’7) and Justice Phillips (6’4) will give the team some size.

TOP FIVE PLAYERS

Herley Brutus, The Villages Charter: The 6’6 junior is long, athletic, and energetic.  He will see time at all five positions at both ends of the court during a contest.  Brutus handles, passes, rebounds, and defends at a high level.  His perimeter shot is improving and once refined, Brutus checks all the high-major boxes.

Carson Crawford, Fleming Island: The 6’6 freshman averaged double figures last season and will no doubt need to equal, if not exceed, that production from a year ago.  He has the tools to do that with a smooth inside/outside game that makes him a nightmare matchup for the opposition.  He played with on the 15U EYBL circuit this past spring and summer.

C.J. Hall, Hilliard: The 6’3 senior guard is well-built, strong, and athletic.  He has proven to be an impact player at both guard positions.  He bursts out of his dribble to get be defenders, attack, and score at the basket.  Hall’s jumper has reliable range past the arc and he is solid on the defensive end.

D’Andre Harvey, Williston: A high-level athlete, the 6’3 Harvey explodes to the basket as if shot from a canon.  He is quick to the ball coming off the glass, is fast up the floor in transition, and plays hard each possession.

Nolan Nelson, St. Johns Creekside: The 6’8 sophomore was one of the top players in the region as a freshman last season.  He scores the ball well from the box to the arc, is a rugged rebounder, and doesn’t shy from physical play at either end of the floor.

#1 Senior: C.J. Hall (see above)

#1 Junior: Hurley Brutus (see

#1 Sophomore: Carson Crawford (see above)

#1 Freshman: Camden Cooper, St. Johns Country Day – The 6’5 Cooper already has two varsity seasons under his belt.  He is a scoring force on the perimeter with an accurate jumper, quick dribble moves, and creative finishes around the basket.

Senior Sleeper: Cornel Wheeler, Jacksonville Wolfson – An athlete of the highest caliber, the 6’4 Wheeler amazes with offensive rebound dunks, lob finishes over bigger players, and transition slams that get the mix tape mafia on the endlines jubilant.  His perimeter skills are quickly improving and he will guard any one of any size on the defensive end.