We move onto Southwest Florida for our regional previews.

TOP FIVE “BIG” SCHOOLS (CLASS 6A thru 4A)

Sarasota (Class 6A, Region 3, District 12): The Sailors made it to the state title game in 7A last season, making it difficult for Columbus to win their fifth straight. There are certainly enough pieces returning to make a return trip.  Johnny Lackaff, a 6’2 senior, continues to prosper as he was the region’s MVP last season after averaging 20+ points a game.  Greg Dauer, a 6’4 junior, was impressive this past spring and summer.  He should be an excellent complementary scorer as he has a high basketball IQ and feel for the game.  Liam Lackaff, a 6’6 sophomore, has good size and instincts, plays hard, and will do whatever needs to be done to win games.  Sarasota is missing size inside so expect a gang effort when it comes to rebounding and defense.

Tampa Sickles (Class 6A, Region 3, District 10): We admittedly came away impressed with Sickels prospects after watching them at the FABC Team Camp in June.  Chase Weismiller, a 6’4 senior, is the primary perimeter threat.  His jumper is reliable on either side of the arc, he can knock it down off the catch or dribble and will attack the basket and finish in traffic if the outside shot is taken away.  Bobby Buccino, a 6’0 senior, is the point of attack at both ends of the floor.  He is a crafty ball-handler and distributor.  Madden Geiger, a 6’9 senior, provides scoring both near the hoop and from the perimeter.

Parrish (Class 6A, Region 3, District 12): Parrish moved up due to the FHSAA bi-annual re-classification.  The team has some good talent to battle in an enhanced region.  Tristan Pasch, a 6’8 senior, has the ability to score inside and out.  His length presents a challenge on the defensive end.  Kendall Davis, a 6’6 senior, provides good size and athleticism on the interior.  He rebounds, runs, and plays with a high motor.  Dante Rivers, a 6’4 junior, is a versatile piece that will see time both on and off the ball.  He is a slashing scorer with an improving perimeter shot.  Parrish has a bevy of players in the 6’2 to 6’5 range to provide depth.

Naples Palmetto Ridge (Class 5A, Region 3, District 12): A relatively young Palmetto Ridge squad reached the regional round in Class 6A last season.  Now more experienced, this group could make a run to Jacksonville in a very unpredictable region in Class 5A.  Judah Lopez, a 6’7 senior, has good skills and touch around the basket.  He controls his rebounding area, is quick to outlet misses, and clogs the lane on defense.  E.J. McCray, a 6’3 junior, will be called upon to both score and make the game easier for his teammates.  He has a solid feel for the game, good passing instincts, a reliable mid-range shot and improving three-point stroke.  There are enough athletic and/or skilled pieces around those two to be more than competitive every night.

Naples Aubrey Rogers (Class 4A, Region 4, District 12): A relatively young program, Rogers will arguably goes as far as 6’7 senior Brock Bass Bonner can take them.  He can play pretty much anywhere on the court and watching him this summer he spent a lot of time running the offense.  The lefty is long, quick to the basket, and makes tough finishes at the rim.  Dean Carnevale, a 6’8 senior, patrols the paint.  He scores well around the basket and challenges shots on defense.  It will be interesting to see who steps up to be a reliable third scoring option.

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

Boca Ciega (Class 3A, Region 3, District 9): With the transfer in of 6’5 junior Nijaun Harris to join 6’7 senior Anthony Brown, Boca Ciega became not only a leader to challenge in Class 3A but a legit contender for an Open Division spot.  Harris is a top fifty national recruit in the 2028 Class and was a big part of the Florida Rebels run to the Nike Peach Jam title in July.  Brown is a tough cover.  He is strong, physical, has good ball-skills, and versatile at both ends of the floor.  If both Harris and Brown are knocking down perimeter shots, it becomes a long night for opponents.  Dreveon McNair, a 6’7 senior, provides rim protection on defense and a lob threat/putback presence on offense.

Tampa Catholic (Class 3A Region 2, District 7): The Crusaders annually play a challenging schedule and are more than ready come playoff time.  This year should not be different.  “Skoot” Donald”, a 6’1 senior, is given the task of running the offense, but he is a confident scorer.  He had deep range, slick handles, and good court sense.  He was out much of last year with an injury but all signs point to his returning at full strength.  Neo Flores, a 6’0 senior, is as tough as nails, loves to challenge the defense to keep him away from the basket, connects on open perimeter shots and disrupts passing lanes on defense.  He is also a cagey defender that comes up with steals or forces turnovers at the most opportune times.  It is a young team with only three seniors, so don’t be surprised if they get off to a rocky start.

Tampa Prep (Class 2A, Region 2, District 8): The Terrapins will miss 6’7 Kai Levy from last year’s team but should have enough returning to make another run.  Myheir Session, a 6’4 junior, scores the ball well but also has the ability to run offense and make plays for others.  He causes a lot of mismatches.  Look 6’3 senior Jackson Lamarre to take his play up a notch.  He has a good hoops IQ and a reliable perimeter shot.  Expect the likes of 6’4 junior Colin Forde and 6’5 sophomore Jordan Clark to make impactful contributions.

Riverview Bell Creek Academy (Class 2A, Region 2, District 7): Bell Creek seems to be one of those programs that is able to replace talent with little to no drop off each season.  That continues to be the case.  This time around, BCA welcomes back Jadus Sorhaindo, a 6’8 senior that played there as both an eighth grader and a freshman.  He returns as a rugged, strong, and skilled matchup problem. Jaylan Johnson, a 6’3 junior, provides scoring support from the backcourt.  Jalen Oladapo, at 6’4 and 230lbs, will help out inside.

St. Petersburg Gibbs (Class 3A, Region 3, District 9): The Gladiators have been the dominant program in the Tampa Bay area the last couple of seasons, making numerous final four appearance and earning a state title.  They will be in a battle with Boca Ciega this season for Southwest Florida supremacy.  The team doesn’t have the same kind of size it has had in the past but still has plenty of ballers on the roster.  Ronald Williams, a 6’5 senior, is an athletic slasher that finishes above the rim in transition and in the half-court.  Brandon Perkins, a 5’10 senior, is quick, a potent perimeter shooter, and a disruptive on-ball defender.  Though just a freshman, 6’5 Miles Moten will make an immediate impact.

Top Five Players

Neo Flores Tampa Catholic: The 6’0 senior can score from just about anywhere.  He has deep range, makes that shot off the bounce or the catch, and finishes creatively in a crowed at the rim.  Flores is a better passer than he is given credit for and defensively is disruptive in the passing lanes and is quick to help and recover.

Anthony Brown, Boca Ciega: The 6’7 senior is simply a matchup nightmare at this level.  He will overpower smaller players to the basket, blow by bigger players from the perimeter, and has scoring tools both around the basket and when stepping away from the hoop.  He can be streaky from the perimeter but if Brown gets on a run, watch out.  Brown is a threat to take the ball coast-to-coast anytime he grabs a rebound.

Johnny Lackaff, Sarasota High School: The 6’2 senior is one of the better shooters in the state as he averages 50+% from the field overall, near 40% from three, and over 80% from the free throw line.  Lackaff is physically strong, finishes well at the basket, and is a sneaky defender and ball-hawk on defense.

Nijuan Harris, Boca Ciega HS: The 6’5 junior is a tough cover.  He has a strong frame that he uses well to post up players of equal size or smaller.  If a bigger opponent tries his luck, Harris can either get by him or simply drop in a jumper over the top.  Harris is also a solid rebounder and plays good position defense.

Jadus Sorhaindo: The 6’8 senior has developed into a versatile offensive scorer.  He has good post-up skills and knows how to create space and score inside.  Sorhaindo is an effective ball-handler and perimeter shooter, blowing by bigger defenders and shooting over smaller ones.

#1 Senior: Johnny Lackaff, Sarasota HS (see above)

#1 Junior: Nijaun Harris, Boca Ciega HS (see above)

#1 Sophomore: Liam Lackaff, Sarasota HS: The 6’6 Lackaff has a reliable perimeter stroke.  His size gives him an advantage on the glass and when playing defense.

#1 Freshman: Miles Moton, St. Petersburg Gibbs: The 6’5 wing has a high skill level and abundant athletic ability.  He is effective slashing to the basket or scoring from the perimeter.

Senior Sleeper: Jerrod Long, Bradenton St. Stephen’s: The 6’2 long is a high-end athlete that can play either guard spot.  Both strong and quick, he is tough to keep out of the lane and makes good shot vs pass decisions once there.  Long is a harassing defender when guarding the ball.