Class 4A 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 Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2) Class 3A Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2) We arrive on Class 4A and its now expanded 16 districts (8 added), here with Part 1. Westminster picked up the 3-peat by edging out Seffner Christian 77-73. 2018-19 state champion: Westminster 2018-19 runner-up: Seffner Christian Part 1 Class 4A-District 1 2018-19 winner: PK Yonge took down Maclay in overtime to win the old three-team 4A-1 district. Now, seven teams from the Pensacola area arrive into 4A-1 with West Florida, North Bay Haven, Walton and South Walton from 5A-1, Rutherford and Bay from 6A-1 and Pensacola from 7A-1. Teams to watch:  Walton, Rutherford, Pensacola Other teams in the district:  West Florida, South Walton, North Bay Haven, Bay Predicted district champion: Walton ---After posting a 22-5 record a season ago while making a 5A region semifinal appearance, the Braves have a nice 2020 trio in place between guard Austin Thacker and forwards Gavin Coone and Benjamin King. Rutherford and Pensacola are fresh off solid seasons and should contend in 4A-1. Class 4A-District 2 2018-19 winner:  University Christian knocked off Providence in the 4A-2 district final a season ago. Now, five new teams slide into 4A-2 between Baker County from 6A-4, Gadsden County and Marianna from 5A-2 and Godby and Suwannee from 6A-2. Teams to watch: Gadsden County, Godby, Marianna Other teams in the district: Baker County, Suwannee Predicted district champion: Godby ––Godby has plenty of size in place next to lead guard 2021 6'3" Steve Laurent. 2020 6'8" forward Autavian Gibson, 2020 6'4" forward Ukuru Kojo and 2020 6'4" forward Jeremy Bayiha. As for Gadsden County, the Jaguars feature 2020 6'3" guard Lenvontae Brown and 2021 6' guard Ronterrious Stokes.  Class 4A-District 3 2018-19 winner: Oviedo Master's beat Santa Fe Catholic in the district title game. Now, this is a district with seven Jacksonville area squads. Paxon, Ribault and and Yulee came in from 6A-3, Ed White from 7A-3, Raines, West Nassau and Fernandina Beach from 5A-3. Teams to watch: Paxon, West Nassau, Raines  Other teams in the district: Ribault, Yulee, Ed White, Fernandina Beach Predicted district champion: Paxon —One of the few teams in the entire state that didn't have a senior on its roster a season ago, Paxon is ready to make another deep run after appearing in the 6A state semifinal, losing to St. Pete Lakewood. 2020 6'6" forward Isaiah Adams (UCF signee), 2021 5'10" guard Maurice Willie, 2020 6'1" guard Michael Caswell and 2020 6' guard Derrick Johnson Jr. leading the way. West Nassau has some talent that will make noise with 2021 6'6" guard Dallan "Deebo" Coleman (No. 3 in 2021 Prep Hoops Florida rankings), 2021 6'2" guard Justin Hicks and 2020 6'7" forward Garrett Hursey (North Florida signee).  Class 4A-District 4 2018-19 winner: Seffner Christian outlasted Tampa Prep 63-61 in a double overtime finish in the district championship. Much like 4A-3, this new 4A-4 district consists of six teams from around Jacksonville. Palatka, Clay and Menendez came from 6A-5, Wolfson from 6A-4, Bishop Kenny from 6A-3 and Bolles from 5A-3. Teams to watch: Bolles, Palatka, Bishop Kenny Other teams in the district: Clay, Menendez, Wolfson Predicted district champion:  Palatka —Palatka may have lost top scorer Mitchell McKinnon to graduation, but 2020 6'3" guard Malik Beauford, 2020 6'3" guard Wesley Roberts and 2020 6'1" guard De'Shawn Shaw are back from the 6A region finalist group. Bolles features 2022 6'2" guard Ben McGraw and 2021 6' guard Bobby Crouch.  Class 4A-District 5 2018-19 winner: Westminster took down Benjamin in the district championship before rattling off four straight wins to take home its third consecutive 4A state title. The new 4A-5 district is home to six Gainesville area squads. Eastside, Santa Fe, North Marion and Dunnellon moved in from 6A-6 and Bradford and Keystone Heights came over from 5A-4. Teams to watch: Eastside, Santa Fe, North Marion, Bradford Other teams in the district: Dunnellon, Keystone Heights Predicted district champion: Eastside —This is a district with some serious talent. Eastside returns its two leading scorers in 2020 6' guard Korin Bradley and 2020 6'4" guard Anthony Richardson (UF football signee). Add in the fact that the Rams brought in 2021 6'3" guard Jarveil Gainey via transfer from Ocala Trinity Catholic and this squad has a ton of scoring prowess. Santa Fe has a big with endless upside in 2021 6'8" forward Ernest Ross (No. 5 in the Prep Hoops Florida rankings). 2020 6'1" guard Cooper Wiedeman is a steady piece for North Marion. Class 4A-District 6 2018-19 winner: Sagemont captured the district with a victory over Miami Country Day. 4A-6 is now mixed with seven programs. Brooksville Central, Crystal River, Hernando, Citrus and Weeki Wachee came in from 6A-7 and The Villages and South Sumter joined from 5A-5. Teams to watch: The Villages, Crystal River, South Sumter Other teams in the district: Weeki Wachee, Citrus, Hernando, Central Predicted district champion: The Villages —2019 grad Tre Mann is off at Florida, but The Villages still has plenty to brag about with its boys' basketball team. 2020 6'3" guard Ricardo Wright will take over the alpha role after transferring mid-season from Eustis while 2023 6'9" forward Sam Walters is already a problem as a shooter and defender. 2020 6'9" forward Diego Romero came over from Central Pointe Christian, 2023 5'9" guard Derek McCray is a speedster and guard trio, 2020's Bryan Jackson and Mac Harris and 2021 Nasir Mann (Tre's younger brother) will get a ton of run for the Buffalo. Class 4A-District 7 2018-19 winner: SLAM Miami beat Riviera Prep in the district final, but lost to the Bulldogs in the region semifinal, 78-77. 4A-7 is filled with six Orlando area teams. Bishop Moore, Tavares and Eustis moved over from 6A-13, Lake Highland Prep from 5A-6 and Umatilla and Mount Dora from 5A-5. Teams to watch: Lake Highland Prep, Bishop Moore, Eustis Other teams in the district: Tavares, Mount Dora, Umatilla Predicted district champion: Lake Highland Prep ––Lake Highland Prep has the most talent overall with 2021 6'7" forward Gabriel Ferguson, 2022 6'4" guard Brice Sensabaugh (transfer from Hagerty), 2020 6'4" guard Victor Brown, 2022 5'9" guard Jared Berry and the Stewart brothers, 2023 6'6" forward Sean Stewart and 2021 6'6" forward Miles Stewart. Bishop Moore still has a pair to keep a close eye on in 2020 6'5" forward Stephen Martin and 2021 5'11" guard Blake Burkey. Eustis has a true workhorse guard in 2020 6'2" guard Bradley Douglas (15.5 PPG last season). Class 4A-District 8 2018-19 winner:  Palmer Trinity beat Marathon in the district final. The six schools in 4A-8 reside around the Wesley Chapel area. Anclote, Wesley Chapel, Hudson came from 6A-8, Nature Coast from 6A-7, Tarpon Springs from 6A-11 and Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek from 5A-9. Teams to watch: Anclote, Wesley Chapel, Nature Coast Other teams in the district: Tarpon Springs, Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek, Hudson Predicted district champion: Anclote —-Anclote is the favorite with a really good cast in place. 2020 6'6" forward Jakob Hester is one of the hardest workers in the state, 2020 6'6" guard Jalen Cooper can score in bunches, 2020 6' guard Jacobie Forrest controls the tempo, 2020 6'7" forward De'quan Rowland provides a lot of size and 2020 6'4" guard Diontray Manuel is a welcomed addition from Tampa Catholic. Wesley Chapel has a crafty guard in 2020 6'4" Isaiah Ramsey (15.9 PPG last season). Final Score (4A State Final): Westminster 77 Seffner Christian 73 The Lions win their 3rd straight state title. ????leaders @LIONSPRIDEBBALL Sam Griffin 26 Chase Johnston 19 Ben Middlebrooks 18@SCACrusaders Mike Trigg 33 Cornelius Bobo 16 Willie Jones 12 pic.twitter.com/vOOlAGsoHb — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 7, 2019