With the FHSAA’s bi-annual reclassification over the summer, Class 4A got much more interesting. That being said, we think that Fleming Island is the only team from the class that will get a shot at competing in the Open Division come February.  We base our pos-season predictions on that.

Favorite: Hialeah Mater Lakes

Guard play is very important for championship-level teams and Mater Lakes has one of the better group of guards in the state regardless of class.  Miguel Orbe, a 6’3 senior and Tennessee Tech commit, can be relied upon for 20+ a night.  He comes over from Miami Country Day, where he helped them to the state title game in 2A last season.  Denver Turner, a 6’2 senior, has been in both the IMG and Prolific Prep programs the past few years.  He is no stranger to taking on talented opponents and producing solidi numbers.  Delan Montgomery, a 6’4 sophomore was very impressive with the team over the summer.  He has a variety of scoring tools and is an active defender.  Caio Leopoldo, a 6’6 sophomore, plays with great confidence for a young player and has a boatload of inside/outside skills.  The team will have to gang rebound and stay connected on defense to overcome a lack of size.  They will get a strong test in a tough region that includes Riviera Beach Suncoast, Miami Norland, Miramar, and Belen Jesuit.

Regional Favorites: Pensacola Washington (Region One); Deltona Pine Ridge (Region Two); Naples Aubrey Rogers (Region Three)

Washington brings back a lot of production from last season.  They are led by 6’1 junior Keylon Williams.  Expect the likes of Fort Walton Beach, Tallahassee Rickards, and Jacksonville Ribault to be formidable roadblocks to Jacksonville.  Pine Ridge has one of the best players in the state in senior Henry Robinson, Jr., a JU commit.  He will get help from 6’0 senior A.J. Tennell and 6’7 junior Jayden Strawder.  Teams in the region that should pose a challenge would be Leesburg, Ocala Vanguard, Orlando Jones, and Tampa Jesuit.  Region Three in Southwest Florida is wide open.  Usually when that is the case, the team with the best player has the best chance.  This year it is Aubrey Rogers, led by 6’7 senior Brock Bass-Bonner.  His size and skill level make him a tough matchup.  Resistance is expected to come from Clearwater, Braden River, and LaBelle.

Best Player: Carson Crawford, Fleming Island

The 6’7 senior and Arizona State commit was an important factor in leading the Florida Rebels to the EYBL Peach Jam title.  His inside/outside ability, defensive versatility, and high level of energy makes him a tough cover at this level.  Crawford’s perimeter jumper can be streaky, but he can go on runs that thoroughly deflates the opposition.

Pre-Season All-State: Crawford; Henry Robinson, Jr., (Delton Pine Ridge); Orlando Roche (Miami Belen Jesuit); Miguel Orbe (Mater Lakes); Zaire Colbert (Fort Walton Beach)

The 6’8 Robinson is long, athletic and talented senior.  He shoots the ball well from the perimeter, gets on the offensive glass, and can rip and run a rebound from coast to coast.  A 6’2 senior, Roche thrives in the read and react offense of Belen.  He moves well without the ball, scores from all three levels, and has an excellent feel for the game.  Orbe creates and makes his own shot from anywhere on the floor.  He has greatly improved his ability to score through contact in a crowd at the rim.  Colbert, a 6’0 sophomore, is one of the better point guards in the national class of 2029.  He has speed to spare and a wide variety of scoring tools at his disposal.

Better Than Advertised: Pompano Beach Ely

We are admittedly playing a hunch here.  After some time away, Melvin Randall has returned to roam the sideline for the Tigers.  His last stint at Ely produced multiple state championships.  We won’t put it past him to rekindle the tradition. 

Don’t Sleep On: Jayden Negron, Miramar

The 6’4 senior was one of the best shooters we saw this past spring and summer.  Great range, a quick release, and the ability to drain the deep shot off either the catch or the dribble makes him the prototypical player for the modern game.

PRE-SEASON TOP TEN

1.Fleming Island

2.Hialeah Mater Lakes

3.Miami Belen Jesuit

4.Miramar

5.Riviera Beach Suncoast

6.Pensacola Washington

7.Miami Norland

8.Jacksonville Ribault

9.Fort Walton Beach

10.Naples Aubrey Rogers