The High School season is fast approaching. We will be presenting our annual previews over the next couple of weeks. As is tradition, we’ve broken the regions down into the Panhandle, North Florida, Central Florida, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. We kick off our regional coverage with a look at the Panhandle, which we consider to be Tallahassee to Pensacola.
Top Five “Big” Schools (Class 7A-4A)
Milton (Class 6A, Region 1, District 1): Milton returns four of its five top scorers from last year’s team that reached the region quarter-finals. Last season’s young group looks to take the next step and will challenge for a spot in Lakeland out of the region. Traymar Jones, a 6’2 senior, averaged double-figures last year and looks to push that mark into the high teens in 24-25. Sergio Robinson, a 6’0 junior and Mateo Robinson, a 6’2 junior, were close to averaging double digits last season and appear poised to put up bigger numbers this time around. Ra’shaun Elzy, a 5’9 senior, is the fourth returning starter. He may have only averaged six points a game last season but he provided winning intangibles.
Pensacola Pine Forest (Class 5A, Region 1, District 1): Pine Forest returns three of its top five scorers from a squad that made it to the regional round of last season’s playoffs. While that trio is still young at two juniors and a sophomore, they received valuable experience last year that should elevate their games in 24-25. Micah Franklin, a 5’10 junior, averaged nine points a contest last year and will have every opportunity to increase that mark. J’Kosi Black, a 6’0 junior, was just behind Franklin in the scoring column. Sophomore Maki Scott, 6’1, looks to boost least season six points a game average.
Tallahassee Godby (Class 4A, Region 1, District 2): Godby lost only two seniors from last season’s region quarter-finalist and return its top five scorers. Mekhi Butler, a 6’2 senior, and Jaden Staten, a 5’11 junior, each averaged around twelve points a contest last season. The remaining three scorers averaged eight points a game between them, so some combination of those three will need to increase their production this season. Godby will use a challenging schedule to prepare itself for the playoffs.
Tallahassee Lincoln (Class 5A, Region 1, District 2): Lincoln returns just two of its top scorers from last year’s quarter-finalist. While that isn’t many, their combined production outpaces other playoff teams from last year in this region. Malakhi Lowe, a 6’3 junior, tossed in nine points a game while 6’3 senior Kingsly Mutanga added eight points a game. No doubt there will some others that step up, one being 6’0 senior R.J. Perryman.
Tallahassee Rickards (Class 4A, Region 1, District 2): This program reached the region final last year and look to take the next step. Three of that team’s top five scorers return, led by 6’6 senior and University of North Florida commit B.J. Plummer. He averaged twelve points a contest last year and should certainly see an uptick in production this time around. Romie Cosby, a 5’11 senior, averaged eleven points a game and was impressive this past offseason. Calvin Thomas, a 6’5 junior, averaged eight points a game last year and helps out on the interior.
Top Five “Small” Schools (Class 3A thru Rural)
Bonifay Bethlehem (Class Rural, Region 1, District 2): Bethlehem reached the region semis last year with four of the team’s top five scorers being just sophomores. That suggests bigger things for this season. Kolton Amerson, a 6’4 junior, averaged 20 points a contest last year. He gets help from classmates Justin Miller (6’1), Easton Lentz (6’1), and Kason Paul (6’1). It will be interesting to see how the team progresses this season.
DeFuniak Springs Walton (Class 3A, Region 1, District 1): Three of the team’s top five scorers from last season’s region quarterfinalist. The big gun returning is 6’3 senior Luke Kring as he averaged just over 20 points a game last season. He gets support from 6’1 senior Elijah Neenan and 6’0 junior Camden Zodrow. Both averaged between eight and nine points a contest last season and will have every chance to boost them higher.
Quincy Crossroad Academy (Class Rural, Region 2, District 4): The Scorpions return four of the top five scorers from a team that reached the Class 1A semi-finals last season. While none of them averaged double-figures, 6’1 JR Camari Hale, 5’8 SR Myron Tennell, 6’2 JR Jabari Boahen, and 6’ JR Tyrek Jessie each averaged between seven and nine points a game. That offensive balance and the return of 5’10 junior Forest Dudley should propel Crossroad Academy to another successful season.
Sneads (Class Rural, Region 2, District 3): The of the top five scorers return for a team that reached the region semi-finals last season. Nykavian Bradley, a 6’1 senior, averaged 20 points a game last year and could up that number in 24-25. Michael Perkins, a 5’8 senior and Preston White, a 5’10 junior, will be the primary scoring support behind Bradley.
Tallahassee Florida High (Class 3A, Region 1, District 2): This group reached the region semis last season and look to get back to Lakeland after the recent FHSAA re-classification. Trey Card, a 6’6 senior, averaged ten points a contest last year and could easily double that based on his outstanding performances this past spring and summer. Amare Robinson, a 6’0 senior averaged ten a game last season as well. He will have the ball in his hands and direct the offense. Iyran Francis, a 6’7 senior, provides plenty of length, athleticism, and energy at both ends of the floor to make an impact.
TOP FIVE PLAYERS
Trey Card, Tallahassee Florida High: The 6’6 senior had some great moments this past spring and summer. Both strong and quick, he is tough to stop from getting to the basket. Card has also become a reliable perimeter shooter and a sneaky good passer.
Mario Forbes, Tallahassee PJP II: The 6’7 senior was the Tallahassee Democrat’s Player of the Year last season as a junior. Forbes plays hard, has a nice touch around the basket, and is a productive rebounder at both ends of the floor.
Treymar Jones, Milton: The 6’2 senior does a little bit of everything, most all lead and win. He has a vast offensive repertoire and gets his teammates involved. Jones plays bigger than his size when it comes to rebounding and defense.
Luke Kring, DeFuniak Springs Walton: The 6’3 senior is a productive scorer with great range on his jump shot. He scores well off the catch and also creates and makes shots off the dribble. As a bonus, he makes those shots even when highly contested.
B.J. Plummer, Tallahassee Rickards: The 6’6 senior and North Florida commit does a little bit of everything. He shoots the ball well from the perimeter, can take the ball hard to the basket and score in traffic, and locate open teammates for easy points. Plummer’s size and versatility are a big benefit on the defensive end.
#1 Senior: Tre Card (see above)
#1 Junior: Julius Miles, Freeport – The 6’6 junior averaged close to twenty points a contest last season in Class 1A. Freeport has moved up to 3A after the reclassification so better competition awaits. Still, Miles’ ability to score from inside and out makes him a tough cover.
#1 Sophomore: Jace Riggan, Tallahassee North Florida Christian – As a freshman last season, Riggan lit up opponents to the tune of sixteen points a contest. That figure was top ten in the class according to Max Preps.
#1 Freshman: Artavian Brown, Tallahassee Florida High – A 6’2 freshman, Brown has a solid combination of basketball IQ and strength to allow him to compete and succeed against older players. He shows poise and skill with the basketball which suggests quality minutes for a first year player.
Senior Sleeper: Hutson Rowe, Pensacola Gulf Breeze – The 6’2 guard was quite impressive at various venues over the summer. He can hurt teams with his deadly perimeter shot or pick them apart with precision passing. Rowe is a solid athlete and aggressive defender.