We move on to Central Florida for our regional previews.
TOP FIVE “BIG” SCHOOLS (CLASS 7A thru 4A)
Orlando Oak Ridge (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): This group of Pioneers will feel a lot different from the past three years when Jalen Reece and company were always a factor on the road to Lakeland. Reece has taken his talents to LSU but the cupboard isn’t bare. Donovan Williams, a 6’3 senior, is a dynamic scorer on either side of the arc that can create his own shot from all three levels. He isn’t just a shooter/scorer as he can run the offense without losing his scoring mind-set. Jordan Smith, a 6’6 freshman, is a good athlete with a solid frame and length, to go along with good ball-skills, a reliable perimeter shot, and good instincts for the ball coming off the glass. Nate Earl, a 6’3 senior, gets the ball to the right spot at the right time, understands how to play with pace, and will knock down perimeter shots if given too much room. Tim Winkler, a 6’9 senior, is an opportunistic scorer around the basket and a reliable rebounder and rim protector. Jahmar Smith, a 6’2 sophomore, sparks the offense with his ability to make threes, draw fouls off drives, and on defense is tenacious when guarding the basketball. Whit Bynoe, a 6’0 junior, is a deadly accurate shooter from behind the arc.
Orlando Olympia (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): The Titans started four very talented sophomores last season, made a solid playoff run, and are looking to build on that success in 25-26. Jonathan “J.J.” Watts, a 6’7 junior, is an excellent run/jump athlete with length that can put the ball on the floor to score, grab rebounds in and out of his area, and defend a variety of positions. Bishop Wenze, a 6’8 junior, is another long athlete that hits the glass, scores effectively in the paint, and is a shot-blocking threat on every possession. Kevin Edou, a 6’5 junior, plays with great energy, attacks the glass at both ends of the floor, finishes well in transition, and defends with passion. James Nowells, a 6’3 junior, is effective at either guard spot. He scores the ball well from all three levels, has good court vision and passing instincts, and can be disruptive in the passing lanes on defense.
Windermere HS (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): The Wolverines reached the Class 7A state title game last season. Several quality players graduated but this program always seems to have guys ready to step up. Lucas Boyd, a 6’2 senior, is solid with the basketball, a good perimeter shooter, and scores well when attacking the basket with the dribble. Gustavo Rocca, a 6’2 junior, has become a very dangerous three-point shooter but will drive the ball and score or distribute should the defense overplay him for the shot. Bryce Hoeffert, a 6’6 junior, is a good passer out of both posts, handles the ball well on the perimeter, rebounds well at both ends and is swift up and down the court in transition. Kaiden King, a 6’4 sophomore, is long, active, and plays full-throttle throughout the course of a contest.
Orlando Dr. Phillips (Class 7A, Region 2, District 5): This group of Panthers is a relatively young squad with only two seniors on its roster. Isaiah Gillard, a 6’3 senior, scores well when attacking the basket, has a proficient mid-range shot and makes opponents work hard when he plays defense. London Hatch, a 6’4 senior, is a rugged and physical player that is a deep-ball threat on every possession. Josiah Gillard, a 6’0 sophomore, scores and distributes, is quick to get paint touches, and excels at pushing the pace and getting his team easy baskets. Caleb Smith, a 6’6 sophomore, is long, athletic, shoots the ball well from the perimeter, attacks the glass, and covers a lot of ground quickly on defense. C.J. Thomas, a 6’4 sophomore, handles the ball well, is quick to the basket, and plays with poise.
Orlando Edgewater (Class 6A, Region 2, District 5): The Eagles speed and quickness in the backcourt should carry them to a successful season. Dylan Foster, a 6’3 senior and Cleveland State commit, pushes the pace, attacks the basket, and finishes well in traffic. Travis Scott, a 6’0 senior, directs the offense, getting the ball to the right player at the right time and place. Julian Fox, a 6’4 junior, has a reliable three-point shot to go along with a strong body that absorbs contact and makes shots. Terrance Walker, a 6’1 junior, is quick-on-quick, excels at getting to the basket in both transition and half-court sets, and making opponents work hard on the defensive end. Jacari Lofton, a 6’5 senior, provides necessary size inside but can step out on the perimeter and make plays.
TOP FIVE “SMALL” SCHOOLS (CLASS 3A thru Rural)
Orlando The First Academy (Class 2A Region 1, District 4): While young, this group has been impressive throughout the summer and fall. Kyle Blair, a 6’10 junior, has blossomed greatly since the end of last season. Both his frame and his game have become much more mature. He moves much better, scores well around the basket, and is a solid as a rim protector. Cory McPherson, a 5’10 junior, is quick with the ball, gets into gaps and can spread the wealth or score on his own. Cooper Clinger, a 6’0 sophomore and Corey Capps, a 6’2 sophomore, are both tough, gritty, and threats to knock down outside shots. Jerry Bacon, a 6’2 junior, and Zion Siler, a 6’3 freshman, are solidly built athletes with a nose for the ball, play with great energy, and simply make plays all over the floor.
Orlando Lake Highland Prep (Class 3A, Region 2, District 6): This group may not have much size but they play with great chemistry and intelligence. Michael Madueme, a 6’5 senior and Columbia commit, is a solid ball-handler and passer on the wing, rebounds at both ends, and is creative in his ability to score. R.J. Ingram, a 6’3 senior with growing D-I interest, is a strong and athletic guard that excels at getting to the basket and scoring in traffic. His perimeter shot continues to improve, makes good shot vs pass decisions on the move, and can be disruptive in the passing lanes. Shiva Atwal, a 6’5 senior, has developed into much more than a reliable catch-and-shoot perimeter specialist. He has improved as a rebounder and passer. Robert Oskarson, a 6’1 senior, spaces the floor with his deep shooting range, is a solid secondary ball-handler, and unafraid to challenge opponents on defense. Mark Dadlani, a 6’4 junior, is another reliable perimeter threat. As one of the bigger players on the team, he realizes that he needs to provide help on the glass at both ends and works hard to do so.
Windermere Prep (Class 3A, Region 2, District 6): The Lakers are led by the dynamic inside/outside combination of 6’5 senior Brandon Bass, a Florida State commit, and 6’7 senior Connor Corris, who is garnering plenty of D-I interest. Bass is a top fifty player nationally in his class. The lefty is a potent three-point marksman, lethal in transition, and creates a lot of “and one” opportunities when attacking the basket off the bounce. Bass has enhanced his playmaking abilities. Corris is a very good athlete that is quick off the floor, has a nice touch around the basket, and can step out and score via the mid-range shot or drive the ball from short corner and high post areas. He runs the floor well and does a decent job of protecting the basket. Zihong Fan, a 6’6 junior, helps out on the glass. Tristan Tucker, a 6’0 sophomore, will help run the offense and is a deep-ball threat.
Orlando Christian Prep (Class 1A, Region 2, District 7): Last season was far from ordinary for a program with annual reservations at the state tournament. A “return to normal” is expected this season. Josh Theus, a 6’2 senior, is a solid scorer and distributor, hits shots on both sides of the arc, and is solid on the defensive end. Solomon Bradshaw, a 5’10 senior, is shifty, slick with the basketball, difficult to keep out of the paint, and a good finisher at the rim. Mason Pandov, a 6’3 senior, stretches the floor with his shooting ability but also is tough on the glass. Alexy Figueroa, a 6’6 sophomore, scores well from fifteen feet and in, rebounds at both ends, and runs the floor well.
Orlando Central Florida Christian Academy (Class 1A, Region 2, District 7): CFCA will once again challenge for regional honors. Alex DiPaolo, a 6’5 senior, was impressive this past spring and summer on the travel circuit. He shoots the ball well with range, rebounds, and defends. Julian DeClou, a 6’4 senior, is a big body but has a soft touch on his shot and is a good passer. Josh Hernandez, a 5’10 junior, is solid as a point guard with speed, quickness, an accurate perimeter shot and good court vision.
Top Five Players
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 ability to set up teammates showed marked improvement this fall. The FSU signee will have a lot of responsibility thrust upon him this season and he seems more than up to the challenge.
Donovan Williams, Orlando Oak Ridge: The 6’3 senior played last season at Oak Hill Academy but returns to his native Orlando. Always a good scorer with deep range, Williams is another player that has worked hard to upgrade his skills as a player that makes the game easier for his teammates. He has a good work ethic as both a rebounder and defender. He has committed to hometown University of Central Florida.
Henry Robinson, Deltona Pine Ridge: A 6’6 junior, Robinson is long, athletic, and skilled. He handles the ball well, has a reliable perimeter shot, and has the ability to grab a defensive rebound and go end-to-end for the score. He plays with a high hoops IQ which makes sense as his father is his high school coach.
Jonathan “J.J.” Watts, Orlando Olympia: A highlight reel waiting to happen, the 6’7 junior has the physical talent to dominant games. He is bouncy, fast in the open court, has a knack for getting putbacks, and has great body control and touch to finish at the rim in a crowd. Once the perimeter shot gets refined, look out.
Michael Madaume, Orlando Lake Highland Prep: A 6’5 senior headed to Columbia in the Ivy League, Madaume has plenty of versatility and skill. At various times in a game he will run the point, play off the ball, dive into the post, or operate from the mid-range. Madaume has worked hard to develop his outside shot into a reliable weapon and is a very difficult matchup.
#1 Senior: Brandon Bass, Windermere Prep (see above)
#1 Junior: Henry Robinson, Jr., Deltona Pine Ridge (see above)
#1 Sophomore: Josiah Gillard, Orlando Dr. Phillips: The 6’0 guard can score and distribute, play solid defense on the ball, and is a coach on the floor.
#1 Freshman: Jordan Smith, Orlando Oak Ridge: The 6’6 wing is advance both physically and skill-wise for a first-year player. It won’t surprise if he puts up a double-double average over the course of the year.
Senior Sleeper: Greg Weatherington, Oviedo Hagerty: The 6’3 senior was impressive for Hagerty at various events this summer and fall. He has a strong frame, high-level athleticism, and a good understanding of how to score against a variety of defenses.