Districts To Watch: Florida Playoffs (Classes 1A-4A)
In this article:
District tournaments are here already in the state of Florida.
With that, here is a look at the Top 2 district races in Classes 1A-4A respectively starting with 4A and working our way down.
Note: All records listed are district records.
Class 4A
4A-2
-The top four teams in Class 4A-District 2 are some really tough programs with Providence (22-3, 3-0), University Christian (24-3, 1-1), Bishop Snyder (16-9, 0-1) and St. Joseph (21-2, 0-0). Trinity Christian (0-2) is also in the district. At home, Providence beat University Christian 55-49 on Jan. 18.
Players to watch: 2019 guard Ahren Freeman (Providence/New Orleans signee), 2021 forward James Lee Repass (Providence), 2020 forward Corey Walker Jr. (Bishop Snyder), 2019 guard Jalen Nesmith (Bishop Snyder), 2019 forward Lenzy Hancock Jr. (University Christian), 2019 forward Michael Griffin (University Christian), 2020 guard Ty’vorus Lawton (St. Joseph).
4A-3
-A trio of teams Santa Fe Catholic (6-0), Oviedo Master’s (3-1) and Orangewood Christian (4-2) are the best bet to claim Class 4A-District 3. Master’s captured the district with a 87-84 win over Santa Fe Catholic before advancing all the way to the state championship, losing to Westminster. On Jan. 22, the Hawks went to Master’s and won 71-69.
Players to watch: 2020 guard Joe Stubbs (Santa Fe Catholic), 2020 guard Javon Bell (Santa Fe Catholic), 2020 guard Ray Davis (Santa Fe Catholic), 2020 guard Corey Sawyer (Master’s), 2019 guard Blaize Darling (Master’s), 2020 guard Drew Thelwell (Orangewood Christian).
Class 3A
3A-6
-Always one of the most contested districts in all classes in Florida, Class 3A-District 6 features Naples First Baptist (10-2), Evangelical Christian (10-2), Canterbury (7-5) and Southwest Florida Christian (6-6). Seacrest (5-5), Moore Haven (1-10), Marco Island (1-10) are also in the district.
Players to watch: 2019 guard Preston Urbancic (First Baptist), 2020 guard Peyton Urbancic (First Baptist), 2020 forward Sean Shore (Evangelical Christian), 2021 forward Aaron Jones (Evangelical Christian), 2020 guard Dylan McDaniel (Evangelical Christian), 2021 guard Chase Garrett (Canterbury), 2021 guard Alan Cedeno (Canterbury), 2019 forward Simon Wilbar (Canterbury).
3A-7
-Between Jupiter Christian (7-0), Highlands Christian (4-1) and Village Academy (5-1), there is plenty of competition in Class 3A-District 7. Lake Worth Christian (4-3), Boca Raton Christian (3-5), Berean Christian (2-5), Trinity Christian (1-6) and St. Edward’s (0-6) round out the district. Village Academy took Jupiter Christian to two overtimes before losing and beat Highlands Christian 67-52 on the road.
Players to watch: 2019 guard Gedeon Germinal (Jupiter Christian), 2019 guard Gethro Germinal (Jupiter Christian), 2019 guard Ryan Lassen (Highlands Christian), 2020 forward Chad Napoleon (Village), 2020 forward Jose Passius (Village).
Class 2A
2A-5
-Victory Christian (5-0) and Central Florida Christian (4-1) are the top-seeded teams here in Class 2A-District 5. Victory Christian won the lone meeting, 71-59 at home. The Storm are a well-balanced team that is emerging quickly. Central Florida Christian lost a year ago in the state semifinal to eventual state champion Miami Christian. Lake Wales Vanguard (3-2), International Community (3-2), City of Life Christian (1-4) and Kingdom Prep (0-6) are also in the district.
Players to watch: 2019 forward Wilfredo Rodriguez (Victory Christian), 2020 guard Abdiel Echevarria (Victory Christian), 2019 forward Jordan Preaster (Central Florida Christian/Bethune Cookman signee), 2019 guard Bryce Street (Central Florida Christian), 2019 forward Anterrius Washington (Central Florida Christian), 2020 guard Jamal Norris (Vanguard).
2A-7
-This has been Grandview Prep’s district for quite some time. In 2015-16, the Pride went a perfect 34-0 in route to their second state title. Grandview Prep (3-0) has to hold off Hollywood Christian (5-1) and Atlantic Christian (4-2) in order to get win yet another district championship. Donna Klein (1-2), Glades Day (1-2), Ahfachkee (0-2) and Sheridan Hills Christian (0-5) are also in the district.
Players to watch: 2019 guard Cam Miller (Grandview Prep), 2020 guard Chayse Billie (Hollywood Christian), 2019 guard Alex Michael (Hollywood Christian).
Class 1A
1A-3
-It seems to always come down to Chipley and Baker here in Class 1A-District 3. Baker beat Chipley in the district title last season while Chipley won two years prior. The Gators have won both meetings this season including the last on the road, a 70-63 road victory at Chipley. The two rivals are each 6-1 in district play. Jay (4-4), Northview (2-6) and Freeport (1-7) are also in the district.
Players to watch: 2020 guard Octavius McLaughlin (Baker), 2019 forward Jackson Swearingen (Chipley).
1A-7
-Up top Class 1A-District 7 sits Chiefland (10-1) with Bell (10-2) right behind. It was Bell that forced overtime in the first meeting which Chiefland ended up winning. But the Bulldogs came back around in the second meeting with a 71-56 home victory. Last year Bell was a perfect 12-0 in district play before making it all the way to the region final, losing to eventual state champion Wildwood. Bronson (9-3), Trenton (5-5), Branford (2-8), Dixie County (2-8) and Cedar Key (2-9) are also in the district.
Players to watch: 2019 guard Tyler Trantham (Bell), 2020 forward Quay Brodus (Chiefland), 2020 guard Ty Corbin (Chiefland), 2020 Blake Homan (Bronson).