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)
Fleming Island (Class 5A, Region 1, District 3): This group looked very good at the FABC Team Camp in June and event better at the Fall Festival in September. Carson Crawford, a 6’7 junior is a high-major recruit that is effective inside and out. Jalil Hill, a 6’8 freshman, played varsity last year as an eighth grader at Providence, and is experienced playing against older, more physical players on the club circuit. Fleming Island has a good crop of perimeter players to complement Crawford and Hill. Ryan Turner, a 6’4 senior, puts pressure on defenses with his ability to penetrate and produce points. Joseph Johnson, a 6’0 junior, is solid from behind the three-point line. Bryce Robinson, a 6’0 senior, pushes the pace at every opportunity. The same can be said for 6’1 senior Isaiah Robinson. Ayden Greenidge, a 6’2 guard, is a catalyst at both ends of the court. Fleming Island has a great chance to play near home in Jacksonville for a state title this coming season.
Ocala Forest (Class 6A, Region 1, District 3): We got to see Forest a couple of times this fall and think their trio of guards can take them a long way this season. At the top of the list is 6’4 senior Trey Chisholm who was co-player of the year last season in Marion County. A resourceful scorer and creator, he scores well inside the arc with pull-up jumpers, sharp cuts into open areas of the floor, and getting ahead of the defense for scores. Chandler Davison, a 6’1 senior, has a nice stroke from deep but can slash to the hoop as well a stop on dime and drop in shots from mid-range. Tico Smith, a 6’0 sophomore, started last year as a freshman, averaging double-figures and making key contributions game in and game out. The supporting cast know their respective roles and perform them well.
Tocoi Creek (Class 6A, Region 1, District 3): This relatively new program reached the final four in Lakeland last season and looks to at least repeat that success in 25-26. The squad didn’t have much size when viewed at the FABC Team Camp but their guard play was excellent. King McFadden, a 6’2 sophomore, impressed as a freshman with his composure and high IQ. Out of the gate he was a double-digit scorer and able distributor. Ty Duncan, a 6’2 junior, transfers in and brings his very consistent three-point shot with him. He’ll stretch the defense and give teammates room on the perimeter. Javares Rickerson, a 6’0 senior, has excellent speed and quickness with the basketball, breaks down defenses by getting into the paint, and is disruptive in the passing lanes. The team will need to gang-rebound and defend to be successful against bigger teams in the classification.
Ponte Vedra (Class 5A, Region 1, District 4): Ponte Vedra reached the title game last season only to fall to a surprising but very good Pompano Beach Ely team. While PV has lost quite a bit from that squad, its experience and team culture will make it a challenging opponent night in and night out. Leading the way will be 6’5 senior Maddox Palmer, a versatile player that will see time at all five positions depending on the opponent. Chase Cowan, a 6’5 junior, will need to be a factor inside at both ends of the floor. Ryan Speace, a 5’10 senior, will be asked to both run the offense and knock down outside shots should the defense try to shrink the floor.
Citra North Marion (Class 4A, Region 2, District 5): North Marion is better known for its success on the football field but basketball is on the rise. Jerdarrius Jackson, a 6’3 senior, was co-player of the year in Marion County last season as a junior. He is solid as both a playmaker and a scorer. Lamont Sweeting, a 6’4 senior, has the look of a lineman on the football field but he has nimble feet and a soft touch to go along with a big frame. Justice Phillips, a 6’6 senior, was a big time scorer in the Rural ranks last year at Bronson. He looks to continue his 20+ points per game against elevated competition this time around. The rest of the squad is athletic, like to play fast, and get after opponents on the defensive end.
TOP FIVE “SMALL” SCHOOLS (CLASS 3A thru Rural)
The Villages Charter (Class 3A, Region 2, District 5): The Buffalo took nationally ranked Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian to the limit last season before falling by two points in last season’s state title game. With so many players returning, there are high expectations for this season. Hurley Brutus, a 6’6 senior and LSU recruit, makes a great impact at both ends of the court. 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. Khymani Weathers, a 6’8 senior, returns from a knee injury that sidelined him much of last season. Nate Britt, a 6’0 junior, had a great summer and his confident play shows it. He impacts the game at either guard spot. Jomar Bernard, a 6’6 junior, has a smooth game, makes shots on both sides of the arc, and is a grab and go rebounder. Ethan Bevis, a 6’6 senior, has a versatile inside/outside game and does whatever it takes to get wins. Cam Lee, a 6’0 freshman, has shown in various fall events that he is more than ready to contribute in a big way.
Jacksonville Providence (Class 2A, Region 1, District 3): This is still a young squad but with a year of experience under their collective belts will be much more dangerous. Luke Mayberry, a 6’2 senior, has the keys to the offense. He is solid with the ball and will drain jumpers from the perimeter. Ryan Gornto, a 6’1 junior, impressed onlookers over the summer with his shooting skill and basketball IQ. Colton Nuualiitia, a 6’6 sophomore, offers size, a soft scoring touch, and a physical presence inside. Will Stewart, a 6’2 sophomore, scores well via both the shot and drive. Marvin Christie, a 6’2 senior, is an explosive athlete that terrorizes teams in transition as well as on the defensive end. There isn’t much size outside of Nuualiitia but this will allow Providence to play at the fast tempo the club prefers.
Jacksonville Jackson, (Class 3A, Region 1, District 4): Jackson fell by just two points in last season’s state semis for Class 3A. A lot of production was lost to graduation but the program seems to be at a place where it reloads, not rebuilds. Key to the team’s success will be 6’8 senior Langston Hawkworth. He was a significant factor in Jackson’s games at the FABC Team Camp in June. Terrell Mosley, a 6’1 senior, looks to take up much of the scoring slack this season. Corenzes Dennard, a 6’5 senior, appears ready to make an impact at both ends of the floor. Expect Jackson to continue its run of playoff success this season.
Newberry (Class 3A, Region 1, District 3): Newberry likely would have hoisted a state championship in the Rural division last season had they not been bumped up to 3A. They were undefeated last season heading into a region semi-final game that they hosted but fell on a late basket. Now experienced playing larger schools, it could be one to remember for the program west of Gainesville. Juwan Scippio, a 6’5 senior, is a versatile athlete that scores, rebounds, and distributes. He plays multiple positions every game. Henry Mathias, a 6’0 senior, is a sniper from the perimeter. His ability to not just hit threes but also score with floaters in the lane keeps the defense off balance. Reggie Williams, a 6’6 junior, is a long athlete charged with shagging rebounds and challenging shots around the rim. The rest of the team is plenty athletic and getting after opponents on the defensive end.
Jacksonville Impact Christian (Class 1A, Region 1, District 2): One of the more steady programs in this part of the state and certainly the classification, Impact is hoping to break through this season a grab that elusive state title. Ronald Clark, a 6’0 senior, will be the catalyst for that effort. Frandy Perez, a 6’6 senior and Mechack Olonga, a 6’10 senior, should combine to own the glass and shut down the lane on defense. Sherome Ferrel, a 6’3 senior and Evan Edwards, a 6’4 freshman, give Impact Christian additional size and athleticism.
TOP FIVE PLAYERS
Herley Brutus, The Villages Charter: The 6’6 senior 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 he should thrive at LSU
Carson Crawford, Fleming Island: The 6’6 junior 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 the FL Rebels in Nike’s EYBL 16U division and averaged a double-double.
Aaron Britt, The Villages Charter: The 6’1 junior is a blur with the ball, finishes well in traffic at the rim, and is a respectable perimeter shooter. Considered one of the better point guards nationally in the 2027 Class, Britt will need to score as well as distribute with a high level of efficiency to get the team through a nationally challenging schedule in order to be prepared to make a run to Jacksonville and the state championship.
Jomar Bernard, The Villages Charter: The 6’6 junior is another nationally-ranked player at The Villages. He has a smooth game with three-level scoring ability. Bernard makes an impact on the glass and on defense when he sets his mind to it.
Jared Thompson, The Villages Charter: The 6’3 senior sometimes gets overlooked but he can be counted on when called upon. Thompson shoots the ball well from deep, finishes in transition, and plays bigger than his size on the glass.
#1 Senior: Herley Brutus (see above)
#1 Junior: Carson Crawford (see above)
#1 Sophomore: Camden Cooper, St. Augustine Nease – The 6’5 Cooper has transferred to Nease from St. John’s Country Day to take on more challenging competition. He is a scoring force on the perimeter with an accurate jumper, quick dribble moves, and creative finishes around the basket.
#1 Freshman: Cam Lee, The Villages: The 6’0 Lee played on Southeastern Prep’s varsity as an eighth grader last year in the SIAA and more than held his own. He may not start for The Villages but he will no doubt make an impact once he hits the floor.
Senior Sleeper: Justice Clements, Jacksonville Eagle’s View: The 6’2 senior is wired to score. He had an effective jumper on both sides of the arc, is quick and crafty with the ball, gets buckets in tight spaces near the rim and doesn’t shy away from contact and taking trips to the foul line.