Class 2A Season Preview (Part 2)
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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 Class 2A…
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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:
Class 2A Preview (Part 1)
We arrive on Class 2A and its now expanded 16 districts (8 added), here with Part 2. 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 2
Class 2A-District 9
2018-19 winner: N/A. Ormond Beach Calvary Christian and Halifax come over from 2A-3. Lake Mary Prep, Warner Christian and Deltona Trinity Christian moved in from 3A-2.
Teams to watch: Lake Mary Prep, Ormond Beach Calvary Christian, Halifax
Other teams in the district: Deltona Trinity Christian, Warner Christian
Predicted district champion: Lake Mary Prep
—Lake Mary Prep has some nice pieces in place with 2020 6’1″ guard Noah Reardon (Lake Mary transfer), 2021 5’11” guard Brendan Grady (Central Florida Christian transfer), 2020 5’10” guard Marshaun Ester (DME transfer) and 2024 6’7″ forward Jayden Williams. Ormond Beach Calvary Christian graduated six seniors and lost top scorer 2020 5’11” guard Max Oles to Spruce Creek via transfer. Halifax has 2020 6’4″ forward Marquez Knighton is at the forefront for the Knights. This is Lake Mary Prep’s district to lose.
Class 2A-District 10
2018-19 winner: N/A. Central Florida Christian moved over from 2A-5 while Real Life Christian, Mount Dora Christian, Legacy Charter and Foundation Academy came over from 3A-3 and Leesburg First Academy came up from the independent rankings.
Teams to watch: Central Florida Christian, Mount Dora Christian
Other teams in the district: Real Life Christian, Foundation, Legacy Charter, Leesburg First Academy
Predicted district champion: Central Florida Christian
—Despite graduating its top three scorers in Jordan Preaster (Bethune Cookman signee), Anterrius Washington (Warner signee) and Bryce Street, the Eagles still have plenty of talent to make another deep run in 2A. CFCA made a state final four appearance in 2018 before winning it all this past season. Two younger Preaster brothers, 2020 6’4″ guard Jajuan Preaster and 2023 6’2″ guard Justin Preaster have all the tools to be successful for this group. Add in 2021 6’5″ forward Julian Cheese (Lake Minneola transfer), 2020 6’7″ forward Nick Silva (Miami Christian transfer) 2022 6’4″ guard Riley Kugel and 2022 5’10” guard Nick Rodriguez (Legacy Charter transfer) and the Eagles will be very deep.
Class 2A-District 11
2018-19 winner: N/A. Orlando Christian Prep and Faith Christian came in from 3A-3 while All Saints moved over from 3A-4, City of Life Christian, Victory Christian and International Community all came into the district from 2A-5
Teams to watch: Orlando Christian Prep, Victory Christian
Other teams in the district: All Saints, City of Life Christian, Faith Christian, International Community
Predicted district champion: Orlando Christian Prep
—After winning two straight 3A state titles in 2017 and 2018, Orlando Christian Prep fell to St. John Paul II in overtime 50-48 in the state tournament this past season and now both teams are in 2A. The Warriors are older and full of athletes with 2022 6’7″ forward Ven Allen Lubin, 2020 6’3″ guard Eric Butler (Southern Illinois commit), 2023 6’8″ forward Jayden Hastings, 2022 6’3″ guard AJ Brown, 2021 6′ guard Omar Figueroa, 2021 6’8″ forward Camden Easley, 2020 6’3″ guard Jonthy Candalerio all in the fold. Victory Christian will be the most competitive outside of OCP with 2021 6’11” Aleksander Szymczyk and 2020 6’10” forward Miguel Santos at the forefront.
CLASS 2A-District 12
2018-19 winner: N/A. Florida Prep, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Morningside, Vero Beach Master’s, Merritt Island Christian and Covenant Christian all came from 2A-6 while St. Edwards moved in from 3A-7.
Teams to watch: Florida Prep, Vero Beach Master’s, Morningside
Other teams in the district: Covenant Christian, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Morningside, Florida Prep, Vero Beach Master’s, Merritt Island Christian, St. Edwards
Predicted district champion: Florida Prep
—This one will likely come down to Florida Prep and Vero Beach Master’s similar to last year’s district finish in the old 2A-6 where Florida Prep came out on top. The Falcons have 2020 6’5″ forward Michal Kolaczewski and 2020 6′ guard Russell Chiang leading the way while Master’s returns 2020 6’1″ guard Luke Wright (14.6 PPG in 2018-19).
CLASS 2A-District 13
2018-19 winner: N/A. Lake Worth Trinity Christian, Berean Christian and Lake Worth Christian arrived from 3A-7. Pine School moved in from 2A-6. Atlantic Christian and Glades Day came in from 2A-7.
Teams to watch: Lake Worth Christian, Atlantic Christian
Other teams in the district: Glades Day, Lake Worth Trinity Christian, Pine, Berean Christian
Predicted district champion: Atlantic Christian
––This is really anyone’s district to win but Atlantic Christian beat Lake Worth Christian by 20 plus points a season ago. These are smaller schools who I’m sure are all happy to have Grandview Prep out of their district.
CLASS 2A-District 14
2018-19 winner: Boca Raton Christian, Village and Highlands Christian came from 3A-7, Grandview Prep and Donna Klein Jewish came in from 2A-7 while Somerset Academy Key came in from 3A-8.
Teams to watch: Grandview Prep, Village
Other teams in the district: Boca Raton Christian, Donna Klein Jewish, Somerset Academy Key, Highlands Christian
Predicted district champion: Grandview Prep
—Grandview Prep has one of the top 2023 prospects in the entire country with 6’5″ guard Nate Sasser. Add in 2021 6’3″ guard Micah Octave, 2021 6′ guard Harry Santiago and 2023 5’9 Jermaine Hunter and the Pride will have a chance this season. Village will return its top three scorers in 2020 6’4″ guard Chad Napolean, 2021 6′ guard Shane Allen and 2020 6’3″ guard Jose Passius.
Class 2A-District 15
2018-19 winner: N/A. Sheridan Hills Christian came from 2A-7, Northwest Christian came from 2A-8, Champagnat Catholic came from 3A-8 and Avant Garde came from the independent rankings.
Teams to watch: Champagnat Catholic
Other teams in the district: Sheridan Hills Christian, Northwest Christian, Avant Garde
Predicted district champion: Champagnat Catholic
—This is Champagnat Catholic’s district to lose.2020 6’4″ forward Melvin Diaz, 2020 5’9″ guard Justice Galezo, 2020 6’3″ guard Caleb Alic (transfer from American), 2022 6’4″ forward Anthony Salazar will do wonders for this Lions team who lost in the 3A region final a season ago.
Class 2A-District 16
2018-19 winner: N/A. Schoolhouse Prep, Miami Christian, Westwood Christian and Brito came from 2A-8, Hebrew Academy came from 3A-8 and Colonial Christian came from the independent rankings.
Teams to watch: Schoolhouse Prep, Miami Christian, Westwood Christian,
Other teams in the district: Brito, Hebrew, Colonial Christian
Predicted district champion: Schoolhouse Prep
—2020 6’5″ forward Lorenzo Baldera will be the focal point of a Miami Christian group that will look a whole lot different this season. However, this is Schoolhouse Prep’s district to lose after winning 2A-8 last season over powerhouse Miami Christian in the district final and region final before falling in the 2A state semifinals to North Florida Educational. The Wolfpack are loaded with 2020 6’4″ guard Anthony Lopez, 2020 5’11” guard Jose-Luis Benitez, 2020 6’0″ guard Cedrick Saint Jean, Texas brother duo who transferred in 2021 6’4″ guard Jimel Cofer, 2023 6’1″ guard Jayven Cofer, 2021 6’7″ forward Jehu Wright and 2021 6’11” center Jabari Williams.
Predicted state champion: Orlando Christian Prep
—It is awfully tough to pick against Orlando Christian Prep. Especially since the Warriors just lost in the state title game for the first time in three years. Add in the fact that the younger players are only getting better and a couple of new talented faces have transferred in and this has the making for a great year for Orlando Christian Prep. They’ll be looking for state title No. 8 this season. Other programs that will give the Warriors a true test will be Grandview Prep, Schoolhouse Prep and St. John Paul II.
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