Class 3A 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 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), (Part 2)
We arrive on Class 3A and its now expanded 16 districts (8 added), here with Part 1. St. John Paul II upset Orlando Christian Prep in overtime to take home its first-ever state title.
2018-19 state champion: St. John Paul II
2018-19 runner-up: Orlando Christian Prep
Part 1
Class 3A-District 1
2018-19 winner: St. John Paul II took home the district crown on the way to capturing the state title, but now the entire district is revamped outside of Pensacola Christian. Florida High joins from 5A-2, Pensacola Catholic comes in from 5A-1 and Maclay School arrives from 4A-1.
Teams to watch: Florida High, Pensacola Catholic, Maclay
Other teams in the district: Pensacola Christian
Predicted district champion: Florida High
—Pensacola Catholic graduated its best player in 2019 guard DJ McKenzie (Pensacola State signee) and 2019 guard Jack Murrah graduated as the top scorer for Maclay. Florida High is deep with 2022 6’5″ guard Jaylen Martin, 2022 5’11” guard Tre’ Donaldson, 2021 6’8″ forward Makai Willis, 2021 6’5″ forward Kai Farlin, 2022 6’2″ guard Kent Carroll. 2023 5’10” guard Anthony Robinson and 2020 6′ guard Dylan Cargle are sharpshooters.
Class 3A-District 2
2018-19 winner: St. Francis Catholic beat Trinity Christian Academy for the district crown. While TCA lost in the regional semis, SFC would advance to the regional final where they fell to Florida A&M by seven points. Providence, Jacksonville Trinity Christian and Bishop Snyder joined from 4A-2 while Baldwin, Andrew Jackson and Episcopal came in from 4A-3.
Teams to watch: Providence, Jackson, Episcopal, Bishop Snyder
Other teams in the district: Trinity Christian, Baldwin
Predicted district champion: Providence
––Players to watch in this district are 2021 6’7″ forward Marquez Ray from Andrew Jackson (5A state runner-up a year ago), 2023 5’11” guard Beza Miller from Episcopal, 2020 6’1″ guard Gyasi Powell, 2021 6’3″ forward Austin Lewis and 2022 6’3″ guard Jalen Gilmore are all in for big seasons for Bishop Snyder. Providence is the favorite over Bishop Snyder with 2021 6’10” forward James Lee Repass, 2021 6’5″ forward Jaiden Heath, 2021 5’10” guard Thomas Woods and 2023 twin 6’1″ pair Alan Prameshuber and Alec Prameshuber.
Class 3A-District 3
2018-19 winner: Orlando Christian Prep won this district a season ago. Now, it is occupied by six new programs. Father Lopez moved all the way down from 7A-5, Trinity Catholic from 5A-5, Interlachen from 5A-4, Oak Hall and PK Yonge from 4A-1 and St. Joseph from 4A-2.
Teams to watch: Trinity Catholic, St. Joseph, PK Yonge
Other teams in the district: Father Lopez, Interlachen, Oak Hall
Predicted district champion: PK Yonge
—This is anyone’s district. 2021 6’2″ guard Jarveil Gainey recently transferred to Eastside weakening Trinity Catholic’s chances. In the meantime, PK Yonge lost 2019 Florida A&M signee Jalen Speer to The Rock, but the Blue Wave still have 2021 5’10” guard Adrian Bloodworth, 2022 6’2″ guard Aaron Small and 2020 6’1″ guard Deontae Mavin. St. Joseph has a true talent in 2020 6’2″ guard Ty’vorus Lawton.
Class 3A-District 4
2018-19 winner: St. Petersburg Canterbury captured its second straight district crown with a victory over Academy At The Lakes. However, the Crusaders are now in 2A-7 and all eight teams in 3A-4 are new to the district. Oviedo Master’s, Orangewood Christian, Cornerstone Charter and Circle Christian came in from 4A-3 while Windermere Prep, Trinity Prep, Orlando First Academy and Crooms moved down from 5A-6.
Teams to watch: Oviedo Master’s, Windermere Prep, Trinity Prep, First Academy
Other teams in the district: Orangewood Christian, Crooms, Cornerstone Charter, Circle Christian
Predicted district champion: Oviedo Master’s
—Oviedo Master’s is the favorite with Windermere Prep right in the race as a true contender. The Eagles have 2020 6’1″ guard Andrew Thelwell (Morehead State signee), 2020 6’2″ guard Corey Sawyer, 2020 6’2″ guard Edrian Manguel and recent addition 2020 6’10” forward Joe Barrett from New Zealand. Windermere Prep has lots of size with 2022 6’9″ center Fanbo Zeng, 2021 6’10” forward Elijah Hulsewe, 2020 5’8″ guard Jouldan Velez and 2021 6′ guard Zavien Williams. Trinity Prep has 2022 5’11” guard Javon Bennett emerging while First Academy features 2020 6’4″ guard Kamron Summers (Navy signee) and 2020 6′ guard Alex Shields.
Class 3A-District 5
2018-19 winner: St. Stephen’s Episcopal beat Community Christian in the 3A-5 district championship. However, all seven teams are new to the district. Berkeley Prep and Brooks DeBartolo came from 5A-9, Seffner Christian, Tampa Prep and Carrollwood Day came from 4A-4, Bishop McLaughlin came from 3A-4 and Bell Creek came from the independent rankings.
Teams to watch: Seffner Christian, Tampa Prep, Berkeley Prep
Other teams in the district: Brooks DeBartolo, Carrollwood Day, Bishop McLaughlin and Bell Creek
Predicted district champion: Seffner Christian
—The 4A state runner-ups this past season, Seffner Christian has 2021 6’5″ guard Michael Trigg (recent Alabama football offer), 2021 6’5″ forward Willie Jones, 2022 6’6″ forward Tony Livingston (transfer from Carrollwood Day) and 2021 5’10” guard Isaiah Reed all contributing to the scoring cause. Tampa Prep has 2020 trio Jaden Gray, Gabriel Sharp and Isaac Ward. Berkeley Prep has 2022 6’6″ guard/forward CJ Hawkins, 2020 6’1″ guard Kegan Karnes and 2020 6’2″ guard Varun Ajjarapu running the show. 3A-5 should be a fun one.
Class 3A-District 6
2018-19 winner: First Baptist won the district this past season and appeared in the state semifinal before losing to St. John Paul II. Now in 2A-8, this 3A-6 is a whole new look with six squads. Clearwater Calvary Christian, Indian Rocks Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest Prep, St. Pete Catholic comes from 4A-4 and Clearwater Central Catholic arrived from 5A-9.
Teams to watch: Clearwater Calvary Christian, Clearwater Central Catholic, St. Pete Catholic
Other teams in the district: Northside Christian, Shorecrest Prep, Indian Rocks Christian
Predicted district champion: Clearwater Calvary Christian
—Clearwater Calvary Christian is my pick for this new 3A-6 but Clearwater Central Catholic with 2021 6’7″ forward Trey Johnson back healthy alongside 2020 6’3″ forward Johnny Newton (Maryland football commit) and 2021 6’3″ guard Fidel Galaura. Calvary Christian has a slew of guys including 2020 6’8″ forward Josh Berenbaum (North Florida commit), 2023 6’1″ guard Tristan Gross, 2021 6’1″ guard Griffin Barasa. Recent transfer 2023 6’5″ forward Johnny Caicedo will give the Warriors a boost with his upside.
Class 3A-District 7
2018-19 winner: Jupiter Christian won the district for the second year in a row over Village Academy but now the Eagles are 3A-11. Now, this district has five programs in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Imagine School, Bradenton Christian and Out-of-Door came over from 3A-5 while Cardinal Mooney joined from 5A-9.
Teams to watch: Bradenton Christian, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Cardinal Mooney
Other teams in the district: Out-of-Door, Imagine School
Predicted district champion: Bradenton Christian
––I like the variety that Bradenton Christian with 2020 6’5″ forward Cole Hafer, 2020 6’5″ guard Nate Schewe and 2020 5’10” guard Dylan Controne. 2020 6’4″ guard/forward Ty Barker is the top returnee for St. Stephen’s Episcopal.
Class 3A-District 8
2018-19 winner: Champagnat Catholic won the district but fell in the region final to Jupiter Christian. Now seven Southwest Florida teams arrive into 3A-8. Community School of Naples, Oasis, Gateway Charter, Bishop Verot and St. John Neumann came over from 5A-10 while Fort Myers Canterbury and Moore Haven moved in from 3A-6 and Bonita Springs is a first year program.
Teams to watch: Community School, Canterbury, Bishop Verot, Gateway Charter
Other teams in the district: Moore Haven, Oasis, St. John Neumann, Bonita Springs
Predicted district champion: Canterbury
—-Canterbury has a slight edge over Community School but both programs play hard on both sides of the ball. Canterbury features 2021 6′ guard Alan Cedeno, 2021 6’3” guard Chase Garrett and 2020 6’7” forward Jovan Kojic. Community School has 2021 6’5” forward Ryker Vance growing leaps and bounds on the court and 2021 6’1” guard Lovenson Xavier. Bishop Verot has one of the biggest players in the state in 2020 6’11” center Israel Torres.
Final in OT (3A State Final):
St. John Paul II 50
Orlando Christian Prep 482019 F Allan Jeanne-Rose wins it for St. John Paul II on a walk off dunk.
????leaders@sjpiipanthers
Jeanne-Rose 20
Chosen Levarity 13@OCPAthletics
Terrance Reese 11
BJ Wagner 10@CoachNixonJPII pic.twitter.com/34WhYnEkKx— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 6, 2019