Class 1A Season Preview
In this article:
Preseason classics are near and the FHSAA regular season officially begins on November 25. We will bring you previews on all seven classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences. ICYMI: The SIAA preview Starting with Class 1A and…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPreseason classics are near and the FHSAA regular season officially begins on November 25.
We will bring you previews on all seven classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences.
ICYMI: The SIAA preview
Starting with Class 1A and its eight districts, here is the beginning of class previews. Madison County clipped defending champion Wildwood in overtime taking home its first state title in school history.
2018-19 state champion: Madison County
2018-19 runner-up: Wildwood
Class 1A-District 1
2018-19 winner: Paxton went 29-2 and a perfect 11-0 in 1A-1 play in route to a state semifinal appearance, falling to eventual champion Madison County. The top four scorers are back for the Bobcats in 2022 5’10” guard Latrell Sanders (16.9 PPG), 2020 6’3″ guard Connor Varnum (11.7 PPG), 2020 6’6″ forward Alonzo Wright (10.5 PPG) and 2020 6’4″ forward Zach Williams (9.6 PPG).
Teams to watch: Paxton, Milton Central, Baker, Laurel Hill
Other teams in the district: Jay, Northview
Predicted district champion: Paxton
—Paxton was my predicted champion a year ago and with the main cast still around, expect another deep run for the Bobcats. Milton Central should give them a battle despite an 11-15 showing last season. The Jaguars have a trio of 2021 prospects that all averaged over 10 PPG respectively a season ago in 6’2″ guard Trenton Moye, 6’1″ guard Michael Simmons and 5’11” guard Trenton Moye. Also, 2021 6’7″ forward Tristan Wright returns.
Class 1A-District 2
2018-19 winner: Graceville knocked off Blountstown in the district title game clipping Poplar Springs and then losing to Paxton in the region finals. The Tigers finished 13-15 overall and graduated five seniors including captains Andre Brown and Cyprian James.
Teams to watch: Graceville, Poplar Springs, Holmes County
Other teams in the district: Bethlehem, Freeport, Ponce De Leon
Predicted district champion: Graceville
—This is really anyone’s district in my opinion. Graceville lost a slew of seniors as mentioned above but has a deep group of 2021 players in the mix. Poplar Springs graduated four of its top five leading scorers but return 2021 5’11” guard Zaimes Hall. It should be an interesting finish here in 1A-2.
Class 1A-District 3
2018-19 winner: Chipley avenged a district final loss to Baker the year prior with a 65-62 before falling to Port St. Joe in the region semifinal round. With Baker now in 1A-1, that fun rivalry is now out of the picture for now. The Tigers (13-14) graduated three key seniors but have 2021 pair Isaac Berry and Zahir Potter will be a the forefront now. Chipley is the lone team that remains in 1A-3, the rest are new additions.
Teams to watch: Chipley, Sneads, Malone
Other teams in the district: Altha, Vernon, Cottondale
Predicted district champion: Chipley
—Based on past history and an overall success this district should stay with Chipley. However, all five other teams moved over to 1A-3 and it could be a different outcome with that in play. We will see how this unfolds.
Class 1A-District 4
2018-19 winner: Franklin County had a fine season, posting a 20-9 overall record and a 11-0 showing in 1A-4, taking down Port St. Joe 51-45 in the district championship. The Seahawks beat Port St. Joe again a few weeks later in the region final before losing to state-runner up Wildwood in the state semifinal in Lakeland.
Teams to watch: Franklin County, Crossroad, Port St. Joe
Other teams in the district: Wewahitchka, Liberty County, Bozeman, Blountstown
Predicted district champion: Crossroad
—Things have gotten very interesting in the landscape that is 1A-4. With the addition of Crossroad Academy (moving down from 2A), Franklin County has some serious work to do to win the district crown once again. Crossroad knocked off Impact Christian (2018 2A state runner-up) in the region final before losing to eventual state champion Central Florida Christian in the state semifinal. The Scorpions return four of their top five leading scorers including 2020 forward Paul Mathews. 2021 guard Lamarius Martin (13.9 PPG) takes over the lead role with 2019 grad Simon Brathwaite now off at Iowa Central Community. Brathwaite’s younger brother Eden will be tasked to do a whole lot more for the Seahawks.
Class 1A-District 5
2018-19 winner: A year after losing to Wildwood in the state championship 65-63, the Cowboys avenged that loss with a 62-60 overtime victory to capture the first boys’ basketball state title in program history. Madison County took down Hamilton County in the district title game for the third straight season and finished with a 26-3 overall record and an 11-0 district record. 2019 grads Travis Jay (FSU football signee) and Vincenta Mitchell (McLennan Community College signee) are now in college.
Teams to watch: Madison County, Hamilton County
Other teams in the district: Lafayette, Jefferson County, Taylor County, Dixie County
Predicted district champion: Madison County
—Expect 1A-5 to come down to Madison County and Hamilton County for the fourth consecutive year. Madison County may have graduated four key seniors, but the Cowboys have 2020 6’2″ guard Demarvion Brown (8.3 PPG) back in the mix alongside two emerging players 2021 5’9″ guard Joseph Jackson, 2021 6’3″ guard Zarrion Robinson and 2023 5’9″ guard Jamie Hampton. Hamilton County has a true scorer in 2020 6’4″ guard Nicolas McClain and 2021 guard Key’shun Zanders to help out. I give the Cowboys the edge considering the depth and experience they have.
Class 1A-District 6
2018-19 winner: Hilliard is the lone team back in 1A-6 after falling to Hawthorne for the second year in a row in the district title game. The Red Flashes return 2020 6’6″ North Florida commit Jacob Crews as well as 2020 6′ guard Trey Rush and 2021 6’2″ guard Tywuan Lee.
Teams to watch: Hilliard, Fort White, Bell
Other teams in the district: Branford, Trenton, Union County
Predicted district champion: Hilliard
—Bell graduated six seniors and will look awfully different overall while Fort White has a deep senior class. However, Hilliard has one of the best players in all of 1A in Crews, who averaged 27 PPG. He had three 40 point outings including a 45-point performance in a Jan. 11 win over Crescent City
Class 1A-District 7
2018-19 winner: Chiefland, Cedar Key and Bronson are the three teams back in 1A-7 after the realignment and Chiefland had the best success, losing to Bell in the district final.
Teams to watch: Hawthorne, Chiefland, Bronson
Other teams in the district: Cedar Key, Williston, Newberry
Predicted district champion: Hawthorne
—Hawthorne (25-2) graduated its top six scorers, all seniors, from a district championship unit who lost to Madison County in the region final. This is not a super deep district, but the Hornets seem to always have pure athletes and I expect that to be the case again this season.
Class 1A-District 8
2018-19 winner: Wildwood (18-13) made it to the state title game for the third straight year, losing to Madison County after beating Blountstown in 2018. The Wildcats are poised for yet another run in 1A with a seasoned group behind 2020 6’2″ guard Marcus Niblack (24.7 PPG) alongside 2021 6’4″ forward Nate Mikell (10.8 PPG) and 2021 6’4″ forward Alfred Corbin (9.0 PPG) and 2019 guard Kris Wilson. The Wildcats also earned a welcomed addition with 2020 6’9” forward Kyler Rodman from Trinity Catholic.
Teams to watch: Wildwood, Pahokee, Vanguard Lake Wales
Other teams in the district: Fort Meade, Crescent City
Predicted district champion: Wildwood
-Picking against Wildwood would be a bad decision. The Wildcats played a highly competitive schedule a season ago, much better than many 1A programs and they’ll do that once again to prepare for a deep run. Looking for a fourth consecutive state final appearance and its second state title in the span, Wildwood has the athletes and experience to accomplish that.
Predicted state champion: Wildwood
-The Wildcats have too many athletes. Niblack will be determined to close out his high school career with his second state title and first as the leader of this group. Both him and Corbin had 18 points in the state final loss to Madison County this past season. Hilliard, Paxton, Madison County and Crossroad will true tests for Wildwood along the way.
Final Score in OT (Class 1A Final):
Madison County 62
Wildwood 60The Cowboys win their first state title in school history.
????leaders
Madison
Vincenta Mitchell 20
Travis Jay 16@WMHSWildcats
Alfred Corbin 18
Marcus Niblack 18@coach_demps
@MadCoFball @TravisJay18 pic.twitter.com/dtGtZZsr3G— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 5, 2019