Not surprisingly, Sagemont continued its roll of dominance in winning the Class 1A state title last season.  With the Open Division beginning this year, we think there will be a new team holding the crown.  In our estimation, there are three teams from Class 1A that could legitimately contend for spots in the Open Division: Sagemont, Lakeland Victory Christian, and San Jose Prep out of Jacksonville.  With that in mind, we will make a post-season selection without considering those three teams.  Should any of them not qualify for “the Open”, they will shoot to the top of the championship contending list.

Favorite: Jacksonville Impact Christian

This group has been knocking at the door for a while and with the bi-annual FHSAA re-classification and the advent of the Open Division, Impact should…well, make an impact.  There are no stars or well-known players, just a group of hungry and aggressive athletes ready to do whatever it takes to win.

Regional Favorites: Orlando Christian Prep (Region 2); North Tampa Christian (Region 3); Boca Raton Grandview Prep (Region 4)

OCP lost some players to transfer but picked up some good ones to replace them.  Look for 6’2 senior Azariah Critton to make a big impact.  North Tampa Christian has the athletes to contend in its region.  Dallas Oliver, a 6’2 senior, has a lot of Division I recruiting interest.  Grandview Prep, led by 6’6 junior Ethan Mott, will have to survive a tough region that includes Miami Christian and Highlands Christian.

Best Player: Camden Cooper, Jacksonville San Jose Prep

Originally in the 2028 Class, Cooper decided to reclass up and is now a senior.  The lefty is athletic and versatile.  He is a prodigious scorer, gets points in a variety of ways, and can make the game easier for his teammates.

 Pre-Season All-State: Cooper; Brandon Sharpe (Sagemont); Ethan Mott (Grandview Prep); Azariah Critton (Orlando Christian Prep); Arik Ring (Lakeland Victory Christian)

Sharpe, a 6’5 junior, is a strong athlete that produces points in bunches.  He is in attack mode from opening tip to final buzzer.  Mott, a 6’6 junior, has a picture-perfect jumper, plays with a chip on his shoulder, and is much more athletic than people realize.  Critton is a quick and crafty scorer.  He is also active and disruptive on defense.  Ring, a 6’11 sophomore, has vastly improved since last season.  He is much better able to handle the physical rigors inside and make an impact as a rim protector.

Better Than Advertised: Everglades City

You probably didn’t know such a place existed.  Everglades City has a surprising run to the regionals last season.  They return nearly 50 points a game from the top five scores, led by senior Jamere Osceola with just over seventeen points a contest last season.

Don’t Sleep On: Miles Morrell, Lakeland Victory Christian

While standing maybe 5’8, Morrell is the type of player coaches love and opponents despise.  He’s crafty with the ball, has deep range on his shot, creates for teammates when penetrating the defense, and comes up with clutch plays on defense.

PRE-SEASON TOP TEN

1.Weston Sagemont (Open Division candidate)

2.Lakeland Victory Christian (Open Division candidate)

3.Jacksonville San Jose Prep (Open Division candidate)

4.Jacksonville Impact Christian

5.Boca Raton Grandview Prep

6.Pompano Beach Highlands Christian

7.Miami Schoolhouse Prep

8.North Tampa Christian

9.Orlando Christian Prep

10.Niceville L.E.A.D Academy