Class 2A Season Preview (Part 1)
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: SIAA Preview Class 1A Preview We arrive…
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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:
We arrive on Class 2A and its 16 districts, here with Part 1. Central Florida Christian took home its first state title in school history with a 72-67 win over North Florida Educational.
2018-19 state champion: Central Florida Christian
2018-19 runner-up: North Florida Educational
Part 1
Class 2A-District 1
2018-19 winner: Crossroad Academy beat Aucilla Christian in the 2A-1 district final and made it to the state semifinals. Now, Crossroad moved down to 1A while FAMU and St. John Paul II joined 2A-1 from its respective 3A districts.
Teams to watch: FAMU, Aucilla Christian, St. John Paul II
Other teams in the district: Munroe, Rocky Bayou Christian, North Florida Christian
Predicted district champion: St. John Paul II
—This is a wide-open district with St. John Paul II graduating key seniors Allan Jeanne-Rose (Fairfield) and Chosen Levarity (Ave Maria). However, the reigning 3A state champions still have a solid group of talent with 2020 starters: 5’11” guard Tyreke Mcelwain, 6’2″ guard Patrick Copenhaver, 6’5″ forward Travis Mitchell and 2021 6’3″ forward Zhyon Scott. Add in the fact that 2021 5’11” guard Terrion Arnold (from Florida State High), 2020 6’6″ forward Nick Strachan (from OCP) and 2020 5’9″ guard Jeremiah Outley (from Crossroad) all transferred over. Aucilla Christian graduated seven seniors while FAMU graduated four seniors but has five 2020 players to lean on.
Class 2A-District 2
2018-19 winner: Impact Christian won the district title for a second straight season, with this one coming over Beaches Chapel. However, 2A-2 has five different teams now and looks completely different.
Teams to watch: St. John Lutheran, Meadowbrook, St. Francis Catholic
Other teams in the district: First Coast, Cornerstone, Seven Rivers Christian
Predicted district champion: St. John Lutheran
—This one is going to be close. Between St. John Lutheran and Meadowbrook, two former 2A-4 foes who split the series a season ago and St. Francis Catholic, who moved down from 3A. Meadowbrook graduated leading scorer Zack Stewart (NAIA Life University) but return 2022 guard duo, 5’8″ Jayden Farber and 5’11” Jacob Stewart. St. John Lutheran has all four of its top scorers back in 2020 6’4″ forward Courtlen Greene, 2021 5’11” guard Jemel Facey, 2020 5’11” guard Ja’Harius Rolle and 2021 6′ guard Calvin Davison.
Class 2A-District 3
2018-19 winner: North Florida Educational (20-8, 6-1) made a trip to the state semifinals for the third consecutive year. But now, the Jacksonville squad is in 2A-4 (see below). Five new teams have made 2A-3 its home.
Teams to watch: University Christian, Christ’s Church
Other teams in the district: Eagle’s View, First Coast Christian, Temple Christian
Predicted district champion: University Christian
—This will likely come down to Christ’s Church and University Christian (moved down from 4A after making a state semifinal appearance). 2021 5’9″ guard Hunter Hollis and 2020 6’6″ forward Gabriel Lindo are a formidable pair for Christ’s Church. University Christian lost 2020 6’8″ forward Lenzy Hancock to the Rock and graduated five seniors, but have 2021 6’1″ guard Joe Carter and 2022 6’2 guard Jaden Brill in the fold.
CLASS 2A-District 4
2018-19 winner: Bayshore Christian won the district title over St. John Lutheran, but the Faith Warriors are now in 2A-7. Six new schools arrive in 2A-4 to compete for the district crown.
Teams to watch: Impact Christian, North Florida Educational
Other teams in the district: Harvest Community, Parsons Christian, Beaches Chapel, Seacoast Christian
Predicted district champion: Impact Christian
—2A-4 is going to be a ton of fun between Impact Christian and North Florida Educational. As long as the two Jacksonville programs can stay healthy, it will be a true battle. North Florida Educational lost to Central Florida Christian in the state final while Impact Christian lost to Crossroad, 52-51 in the region final. North Florida Educational brings back a trio of scorers in slashing 2021 6’5″ guard Saevion Brown, 2020 6’8″ forward Deangelo Elisee and 2021 5’11” guard Jashawne Josephs. Impact Christian has a ton of talent in place between high flying 2021 6’6″ forward Ivan Lawson, brothers, 2021 6’5″ guard Calvin Johnson and 2022 6’5″ guard Kelvin Johnson and crafty 2020 5’10” guard Jordin Jackson.
CLASS 2A-District 5
2018-19 winner: Central Florida Christian (21-10) won its third straight district title and made its third consecutive appearance in the region final, this time getting to Lakeland and capturing the state title. However, the Eagles are now in 2A-10 and the six teams in 2A-5 all moved in.
Teams to watch: Academy At The Lakes, Classical Prep, Zephyrhills Christian
Other teams in the district: Citrus Park Christian, Keystone Prep, Hernando Christian
Predicted district champion: Academy At The Lakes
––Behind 2021 pair: 6’2″ guard Jalen Brown and 5’11” guard Caleb Yann, Academy At The Lakes has the scoring in place to win this district. Fellow 2021 6’3″ forward Tayshawn Pendleton is someone who could emerge in a big way for the Wildcats.
CLASS 2A-District 6
2018-19 winner: Florida Prep beat Vero Beach Master’s Academy to win 2A-6, but lost in the region semifinal to Victory Christian. The Falcons now reside in 2A-12 and the five schools in 2A-6 are all new to the district.
Teams to watch: Cambridge Christian, Universal Academy
Other teams in the district: Brandon Academy, Foundation Christian, Tampa Bay Christian
Predicted district champion: Cambridge Christian
—This is Cambridge Christian’s district to lose. The Lancers came down from 4A where they finished 19-7 last season. 2022 5’10” guard Mac Creek, 2020 6’5″ forward Levondre Carter and 2021 6′ guard Gavin Martinez are the leaders of this group. 2023 6’3″ guard Joshua Willeke is someone who should emerge as the season moves forward. Universal Academy has 2020 guard Mohammed Khan (15.9 PPG) is going to play a part in how this finishes for sure.
Class 2A-District 7
2018-19 winner: Grandview Prep beat Atlantic Christian in the district final before losing to Miami Christian in the region semifinal. The Pride now sit in 2A-14. All six teams in 2A-7 are all new.
Teams to watch: Bayshore Christian, Community Christian, St. Petersburg Canterbury, Lakeside Christian
Other teams in the district: Sarasota Christian, Keswick Christian
Predicted district champion: Bayshore Christian
—Since athletic director Broderick Day took over as the head coach Bayshore Christian has just one losing season since 2011. The Faith Warriors have rattled off six consecutive winning seasons including two 24-4 records with this past season being the most recent. 2020 6′ guard Jeremiah Wicks is the bonafide leader of this team. 2021 6’2″ guard Charles Crews transferred over from Strawberry Crest and will provide a huge lift on both ends of the floor. Add in 2020 6’4″ forward David Fitzgerald, 2021 6’1 guard Deon Brown and 2023 6’5″ forward Harvey Wilson and Bayshore Christian has plenty to work with.
Class 2A-District 8
2018-19 winner: Schoolhouse Prep took down two-time defending champion Miami Christian in the district final and then made a push to Lakeland, losing to North Florida Educational in the state semifinal. The Wolfpack now reside in 2A-16. All six teams in 2A-8 just moved in.
Teams to watch: Evangelical Christian, First Baptist, Seacrest Country Day,
Other teams in the district: Donahue Catholic, Southwest Florida Christian, Everglades City
Predicted district champion: Evangelical Christian
—It is really a coin flip between Evangelical Christian and First Baptist. The two Southwest Florida programs have good players in place. For Evangelical Christian, it comes from 3A-6 and features 2020 6’5″ guard Sean Shore, 2021 6’6″ forward Aaron Jones and 2020 shooters, 6’2″ guard Trent Guttery and 5’8″ guard Dylan McDaniel. Also from 3A-6 is 2018-19 state semifinalist First Baptist who has 2020 6’4″ forward Peyton Urbancic (offer from Army), 2020 6’3″ guard Jamal Norris and 2020 6’3″ guard Andrew Nottidge.
Predicted winner will be announced in Part 2
Final Score (2A state final):
Central Florida Christian 71
North Florida Educational 67CFCA wins its first state title in program history. @cfcaeaglepride
Jordan Preaster 30
Bryce Street 25
Anterrius Washington 15@NfeiEagles
Deangelo Elisee 17
Saevion Brown 16 pic.twitter.com/rG1Pq68p7A— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 5, 2019