We finalize our regional previews with a look into South Florida.
TOP FIVE “BIG” SCHOOLS (CLASS 6A thru 4A)
Miami Christopher Columbus (Class 6A, Region 4, District 15): The Explorers are looking to grab a sixth consecutive state title this season. Jordan Fisher, a 6’6 junior, is the only true contributor back from last year’s team. He will now be thrust into a starting role and will use his athleticism and energy to make contributions at both ends of the floor. However, multiple newcomers to the program will continue to make Columbus not only a favorite to win the state’s first Open Division title but compete for national honors as well. Tai Bell, a 6’3 junior, comes over and has proven to have excellent chemistry with his new teammates. He is a master at reading and executing ball-screen action, getting into the lane and making touch shots in traffic, and making timely perimeter shots. Alongside him in the backcourt is 6’2 junior Ezra Gelin. He can take the scoring pressure off Bell and run offense as well. Gelin is solid on the defensive end as well. Columbus will role out a trio of seven-footers to make life difficult in the paint at both ends of the floor. Akol Nyang, a senior and Marquette commit, has greatly improved his ability to score inside, is always a lob threat, and moves around the floor well. A pair of juniors from the Czech Republic, 7’1 Martin Sibal and 7’0 Martin Simko, have similar names but different games. Sibal can step away from the basket and make shots. Simko is all power in the post. Columbus plays a tough national schedule and also participates in the OTE circuit under the moniker of “Cold Hearts”. It would take something truly out of the ordinary for the Explorers not to be part of the Open Division.
Coral Springs Coral Glades (Class 6A, Region 4, District 14): Coral Glades has been one of the better teams in South Florida the past two years; they have just had the misfortune as being in the same classification and region as Columbus. There is enough returning talent to get to Jacksonville and possibly make a run for an Open Division spot. Ethan Jean Louis, a 6’7 senor, provides an interior and rebounding presence at both ends. He also has the ability to step out and score from the perimeter. Donovan Swain, a 6’4 senior, is now the offensive focal point. He had a great spring and summer, showcasing not only a deadly perimeter attack but also a propensity for driving the ball hard to the hole and finishing through contact in traffic. Gavin Reed, a 6’0 senior, runs the team well from the point, understands when to push and when to pull back the pace, and makes good shot vs. pass decisions. He is a near-maniacal on-ball defender and generates a lot of poor decisions by the opposition. Nate Accius, a 6’5 senior, transfers in and give Coral Glades the kind of catalyst and glue guy that successful teams need. He plays with a never-ending motor, has become a viable perimeter threat, and is up for any challenge at both ends of the court.
Hialeah Mater Lakes Academy (Class 4A, Region 4, District 15): The transfer revolving door gives the Bears a new look and makes them an interesting team. Miguel Orbe, a 6’3 senior, comes in and should provide consistent offense on a nightly basis. He is a three-level scorer, creates and makes his own shot off the dribble, and doesn’t shy away from physical play. Denver Turner, a 6’3 senior, has speed, quickness, and versatility as he can play either guard spot. He has spent time at IMG and Prolific Prep the last two seasons, so he knows how to play against top caliber competition. Delan Montgomery, a 6’4 sophomore, seemed much more comfortable and confident over the spring and summer. He impacts the game with scoring versatility as well as contributing on the glass. Another sophomore, 6’6 Caio Leopoldo, provides some size on the interior but has very good perimeter skills on the offensive end. He will be a tough matchup for opponents.
Miami Palmetto (Class 6A, Region 4, District 16): Palmetto made the regional final last year in 7A. Despite the loss of some talented seniors, Palmetto still has enough to be one of the better teams in South Florida. Samfree Sarantee, a 6’3 senior, is a do-it-all guard at both ends of the court. He shoots the ball with range, gets to the cup to score through contact in a crowd, and is an impressive ball-handler and distributor. Sebastian Madera, a 6’6 senior, is an athletic slasher, excels at finishing the break, and rebounds at a high rate at both ends of the floor. He will play and defend multiple positions at both ends of the court over the course of a contest. Jermaine Agyeman, a 6’10 junior, provides a presence inside, particularly at the defensive end.
Miami Belen Jesuit (Class 4A, Region 4, District 16): Belen plays such a unique style at both ends of the floor that they are a tough out every night. Orlando Roche, a 6’2 senior, is a four-year starter that returns and thrives in the Jesuit system. He scores well from any distance and angle, is an alert and savvy passer, and makes good shot vs. pass decisions with the ball. Samuel Hincapie, a 6’1 junior, is physically and mentally tough, makes winning plays, and knocks down timely shots. Once 6’5 sophomore Jake McFarlin leaves the grid iron for the hardwood, he makes an impact with his size and versatility. The rest of the roster know their roles, play well together, and give great effort on every possession at both ends.
TOP FIVE “SMALL” SCHOOLS (CLASS 3A thru Rural)
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (Class 3A, Region 4, District 13): Last year’s team won the state title and was considered the #2 team in the country among “traditional” schools by Max Preps after losing only one game, at that was to the #1 team Paul VI out of Virginia. Calvary will have the opportunity to repeat that success this coming season. It starts with 6’1 senior Cayden Daughtry, a top five player in the national class. He was absolutely brilliant this past spring and summer in leading the Florida Rebels to the Nike EYBL and Peach Jam titles. A tremendous and relentless scorer, Daughtry is incredibly quick to take advantage of defender’s mistakes and capitalize. James Nowells, a 6’2 senior, played with Daughtry on the Rebels and transfers in to hopefully continue that success. He is an excellent perimeter shooter, a better passer than given credit for, and a hard worker on defense. Lunden Knights, a 6’2 senior, is capable of playing anywhere on the perimeter. He is strong to the basket, has the ability to stretch the defense, and is an alert defender. Anthony Goring, a 6’10 junior, provides size on defense and an inside presence when Calvary has the ball. Alex Jenkins, a 6’6 junior, brings size and versatility to the lineup. Rukai Bethel, a 6’9 junior, will help inside. Calvary should be a lock to participate in the Open Division. The team also plays under the name of “Fear of God” on the OTE circuit.
Miami Riviera Prep (Class 2A, Region 4, District 15): The Bulldogs have loaded up for a run at the Open Division and national honors. Quincy Douby, a 6’5 senior and Wake Forest commit, is a dangerous scorer on either side of the arc with his ability to knock down floaters, pull up quickly and connect from mid-range, and creatively finish in a crowd at the rim. Jeremy Jenkins, a 6’9 senior, returns after a stint on OTE. He is a top 100 player nationally and has developed an inside/outside game that is tough to defend. Anthony Walcott, a 6’6 senior, comes over and brings versatility and winning intangibles. He can play inside or out, guard various positions, and is a very good athlete. Another senior transfer, 6’1 C.J. Westbrook, is a proven scorer and two-time state champ from St. Thomas Aquinas. He and Douby will share scoring and ball-handling duties in the backcourt. Cayden Gaskins, a 6’9 top ten nationally sophomore, comes over from Columbus. Strong and athletic, he can bulldoze his way to scores or step out and score inside the arc. Myles Loene, a 6’9 freshman, will find a way to make a positive impact when he comes into the game.
Weston Sagemont (Class 1A, Region 4, District 15): Guards, wings, and a bevy of perimeter players will give Sagemont a shot at another Class 1A title if not a spot in the open division. Khanye Moss, a 6’1 senior, is a lefty with blazing speed and an accurate perimeter shot. He is quick to the cup and a ball-hawk on defense. Branden Sharpe, a 6’5 junior, is super-athletic and knows how to put his physical gifts to good use. He is an above-the-rim finisher, completes tough drives in traffic and rebounds out of his area at both ends of the court. Noah Francis, a 6’0 senior, pushes the pace, is fast with the ball, gets paint touches and makes good shot vs pass decisions in the lane. He is also a tenacious defender. Jahmai Henry, a 6’3 junior, is skilled, makes savvy plays, covers a lot of ground on defense and makes the most of his scoring opportunities. Size and rim protection comes in the form of 6’11 senior Much Gatdet, who played at The Rock School in Gainesville last season.
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy (Class 2A, Region 3, District 12): This group was very impressive at the Fall Festival and the mix of newcomers with some leftovers will make the Lions a tough out. It starts with 6’0 senior D.J. Gaines, a dynamic scorer from anywhere on the floor. He is hard to guard, has an accurate perimeter shot well past the arc, and has no fear in challenging bigger defenders at the basket. Kimario Sherman, a 7’2 senior, has very good footwork and a soft touch around the basket. He moves well for a guy his size and challenges all who enter the lane on defense. Nate Winters, a 6’7 senior, is an inside/outside scorer with a decent perimeter shot but excels at slashing to the basket in transition and against single coverage. Seth Edwards, a 6’3 junior, makes hustle plays and the most of his scoring opportunities. Aiden Wallhoff, a 6’0 freshman, will stretch defenses with his three-point shooting.
SLAM Miami (Class 3A, Region 4, District 15): For those not in the know, SLAM stands for “Sports Leadership And Management”. The team will have several newcomers that will need to adapt to their roles but Josiah Brooks, a 6’2 sophomore, will keep the team going until the others catch up. Brooks is a top ten to fifteen player nationally in the class. The lefty is a physical scorer, has an improved perimeter shot and can go on runs that simply blow open games. Joshua Clark, a 6’2 freshman, is considered one of the top players in the area for the 2030 Class. There is some size surrounding those two to make things a bit easier. Max Korpa, a 6’7 junior, Abraham Majook, a 7’1 senior, Justice Howard, a 6’8 junior and Boulis Ker, a 6’9 senior, will all rotate in at some point to grab rebounds and protect the rim.
Top Five Players
Cayden Daughtry, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian: The 6’1 senior may have had the best spring and summer of any Floridian. Playing in the ultra-competitive EBYL 17U circuit, Daughtry led the circuit in scoring while showcasing his ability to run a team,, finishing second in assists. He is a flame-thrower from deep (like, real deep), crafty with his ball-handling and ability to finish in traffic at the rim, and sneaky athletic. Some consider him the best guard to play high school ball in South Florida since Brandon Knight back in 2010.
Tai Bell, Miami Columbus: The 6’2 junior probably won’t average over thirty points a game as he did last year as a sophomore thanks to being surrounded by a bevy of talent. Still, he will demonstrate his master of the pick-and-roll, ability to score from deep, and overall leadership on the court.
Jeremy Jenkins, Miami Riviera Prep: The 6’9 senior is back and looking to build on his top 100 national ranking. Jenkins has good size, moves well, and has an inside/outside scoring package that is tough to matchup with. He is a physical presence in the lane at both ends of the floor.
Akol Nyok, Miami Columbus: The 7’0 senior has really come on strong over the summer and fall. He provides a consistent lob threat on offense and shot blocking on the defensive end. He has proven to be solid in the pick-and-roll, catching passes on the move and finishing well over the rim.
Quincy Douby, Miami Riviera Prep: The 6’5 senior is athletic, shoots the ball well from deep, is quick to the basket and plays with a high hoops IQ. He is an active defender, using his length and footspeed to disrupt passing lanes and cut off penetration.
#1 SR: Cayden Daughtry (see above)
#1 JR: Tai Bell (see above)
#1 SO: Cayden Gaskins, Miami Columbus: The 6’8 sophomore has a solid frame, scores well around the basket, rebounds in and out of his area at both ends and challenges opponents at the basket on defense.
#1 FR: Isaiah Bridges, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian: The 6’4 guard is difficult to keep from the basket. The lefty finishes well, has an improving mid-range and three-point shot, and is an alert ball-handler, passer, and defender.
Senior Sleeper: Brandon Collum, Jupiter: The 6’0 Collum may be slight of frame and stature, but he can ball out with the best. He is a deservedly confident ball-handler and shooter, a vocal leader, and coach on the floor. Collum is unfazed by physical play and gets payback with buckets and/or trips to the foul line.