Calvary Christian out of Fort Lauderdale took home the prize last season, suffering only one loss on its way to finishing ranked as the #2 team in the country by Max Preps. Look for the Eagles to earn a spot in the Open Division. We think they are likely to be joined by The Villages Charter and a Boca Ciega team that has some top tier talent thanks to the revolving door that has become high school basketball. We make our post-season predictions with that thought in mind.
Favorite: SLAM Miami
Actually, you could pick any one of several teams from Region Four in the classification as it is loaded. Heck, Calvary Christian, Cardinal Gibbons, North Broward Prep, NSU University School and Stranahan are all in the same DISTRICT! Our logic for picking SLAM is two -fold: They have likely the second best player in the region in 6’3 sophomore Josiah Brooks and enough size to go around him that the team can control the paint at both ends. Brooks will need scoring help from junior Savion Bassil and freshman Josh Clark, but we’ve seen Brooks don the “super hero cape” before and lift SLAM to victory.
Regional Favorites: Jacksonville Jackson (Region 1); Tampa Catholic (Region 2); St. Petersburg Gibbs (Region 3)
Jackson has become a consistent program on the first coast. It just seems they can plug and play guys in their system and come out on top. They will get challenged by the likes of Florida High out of Tallahassee and Starke Bradford. Tampa Catholic’s backcourt duo of senior Neo Flores and Skoot McDonald can score with anyone. They just need their teammates to rebound and defend at a high rate. Lake Highland Prep out of Orlando is the most likely to challenge. Gibbs is a power in the Bay area has been a frequent visitor to the final four the last few years. They are athletic, aggressive at both ends of the floor, and deep with athletes that never stop competing.
Best Player: Cayden Daughtry, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
The 6’1 senior was simply sensational on the EYBL 17U circuit this past spring and summer. He’s living proof that skill and smarts, not size, matters most on the court. With locker room range, crafty finishing ability, and smart ball-handling and passing skills, Daughtry is a complete player. His defense has improved as his strength and athleticism has developed.
Pre-Season All-State: Daughtry; Aaron Britt (The Villages); Anthony Brown (Boca Ciega); Nijaun Harris (Boca Ciega); Josiah Brooks (SLAM Miami)
Britt, a 6’2 senior and Texas Tech commit, is a blur with the ball that scores abundantly and is generous in dropping dimes to teammates. Brown, a 6’7 senior, has the type of inside/outside versatility that coaches love. He is too strong for smaller opponents inside and too quick for bigger guys on the perimeter to defend. Harris is one of the top juniors in the country. He is a master at “bully ball” inside but he has become increasingly proficient with his perimeter shot. Brooks scores in a myriad of ways and can take over a game at a moment’s notice.
Better Than Advertised: Key West
This group came off “the island” and performed well at some events this fall. They compete, have good chemistry at both ends of the court and will be a tough out every night, especially at home.
Don’t Sleep On: Skoot Donald, Tampa Catholic
The 6’2 senior is coming off a knee injury that kept him out much of the spring and summer. He has looked back to form this fall, scoring from all over and making it look easy. Still a bit on the this side, as he physically matures he will increase his athleticism and overall game.
PRE-SEASON TOP TEN
1.Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2.The Villages Charter
3.Boca Ciega
4.SLAM Miami
5.North Broward Prep
6.NSU University School
7.Jacksonville Jackson
8.St. Petersburg Gibbs
9.Orlando Lake Highland Prep
10.Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons