Favorite: Orlando Christian Prep

This will be a different Orlando Christian Prep than we’ve seen these past few years.  It will be more perimeter-oriented, but no less dangerous.  Isaiah Brown, a 6’3 junior, will inherit the go-to mantle from graduated brother A.J. The lefty has smooth shot, shifty moves off the drive, and the athleticism to finish over the rim in a crowd.  Ameer Ramadan, a 6’0 junior, is solid at the point guard spot.  He is a reliable perimeter shooter, looks to push the pace, and makes opponents work at both ends of the floor.  Sean Combs, a 6’1 senior, will see time at both guard spots.  A capable scorer from the perimeter, he is quick with the ball, makes open shots, and finds teammates for open shots.  Isaiah Sutherland, a 6’6 senior, has some inside/outside skills and should provide a mismatch while on the floor.  Marc Ekiri, a 6’7 junior, brings a great deal of energy to the court.  His defense is ahead of his offense but the Warriors don’t him to score points.  It will be a challenge to “three-peat” for this group but until somebody does it, the Warriors are in the driver’s seat in Class 2A.

Regional Favorites: Jacksonville North Florida Educational Institute (Region 1); Fort Myers Evangelical Christian (Region 3); Weston Sagemont (Region 4)

NFEI took Sagemont into overtime in the semi-finals a year ago.  It certainly looks like they should another shot this year.  The team is a good mix of size inside and speed on the perimeter.  Evangelical is young and the region is a toss-up, but we like the combo of sophomores Austin Leslie (6’5) and Gavin Williams (6’2).  Teams such as Tampa Sports Leadership and Management (SLAM); St. Pete Admiral Farragut, and neighboring rival Southwest Florida Christian are expected to challenge in the region.  Down south, Sagemont returns the majority of the team that fell in last year’s title game.  The group, led by 6’1 senior Ashton Smith and 6’7 senior Tynan Decker, have a good chance to supplant OCP at the top of the 2A hill.

Best Player: Issac Tevares, Jax North Florida Educational Institute

Tevares, a 6’5 senior, is a natural born scorer.  In dropping 40+ in last year’s semi-finals, he proved he could get to the basket and score in a crowd, crash the offensive glass for putbacks, and connect on perimeter shots.  Tevares is always looking to attack the defense, be it in transition or on drives in the half-court.  Once he heads to the basket, it is usually a score, trip to the foul line, or an “and one” opportunity.  He is no slouch on the defensive end as he anticipates the passing lanes well.

Pre-Season All-State: Tevares; Isaiah Brown (Orlando Christian Prep); Eduardo Placer (Orlando Central Florida Christian); Lorenzo Cason (Lakeland Victory Christian); Latrell Davis (Naples First Baptist Academy)

Both Tevares and Brown have been mentioned above.  Placer, a 6’4 senior, is a crafty lefty with the ability to score as well as distribute.  He has a dangerous outside shot but is also quite adept at posting up and either scoring or finding teammates for open shots.  Cason, a 6’2 junior, averaged 27 ppg last season for Victory last season.  He scores from all three levels, makes contested shots off the dribble, and isn’t shy about drawing contact.  Davis, a 6’2 senior, averaged 17 points a game last season and earned first team all-state honors.

Better Than Advertised: SLAM (Tampa)

This group shows a lot of promise.  Ramone Seals, a 6’5 senior and Xavier Finney, a 6’4 senior, are both accomplished scorers.  It is kind of pick your poison between the two.  If 6’8 senior Michael Jones and/or 6’8 junior Jaden Guillaume can provide any points inside as well as protect the paint, SLAM may be doing just that in Lakeland.

Don’t Sleep On: Matt James, Jupiter Christian

James, a 6’8 senior, is slated to play football at Georgia State, but he impressed this spring with some solid hooping ability.  A very good athlete, he controls the glass, swats shots, and scores well around the basket.  If his focus had been on hoops, no doubt he would be a D-I prospect.  It won’t surprise if he walks-on at Georgia State and makes an impact.

PRE-SEASON TOP TEN

1.Orlando Christian Prep

2.Weston Sagemont

3.Jacksonville North Florida Educational Institute

4.St. Augustine St. Joseph

5.Lakeland Victory Christian

6.Fort Myers Evangelical

7.Mount Dora Christian Academy

8.Orlando Central Florida Christian Academy

9.Tallahassee St. John Paul II

10.Kissimmee City of Life