Class 4A Season Preview (Part 2)
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)
Class 3A Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2)
Class 4A Preview: (Part 1)
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 2
Class 4A-District 9
2018-19 winner: N/A. Astronaut and Cocoa came from 5A-7, Satellite, Space Coast and Titusville from 6A-14 and Port Orange Atlantic from 7A-5 to form this brand new 4A-9 district.
Teams to watch: Cocoa, Astronaut, Port Orange Atlantic
Other teams in the district: Satellite, Space Coast
Predicted district champion: Cocoa
—Cocoa made it all the way to the 5A region final before succumbing to Tre Mann and The Villages. The Tigers return 2020 6’5″ forward Marquise Freeman, 2022 6’4″ guard Kendal Parker, 2020 6’4″ forward Jimmy Bell and 2022 6’1″ guard Jamariyae Robinson. Astronaut has 2021 6’5″ guard/forward Jace Carter (17.3 PPG last season) at the forefront.
Class 4A-District 10
2018-19 winner: N/A. Lakewood, Gibbs and Dunedin shifted over from 6A-11, Booker from 6A-10, Lemon Bay from 7A-10 and Sarasota Military and Tampa Catholic from 5A-9 to form 4A-10.
Teams to watch: Tampa Catholic, Lakewood, Gibbs, Booker
Other teams in the district: Dunedin, Lemon Bay, Sarasota Military
Predicted district champion: Tampa Catholic
––Two state teams from a season ago will compete for 4A-10 alongside Booker, a squad that is just two years removed from a trip to Lakeland. Lakewood lost in the 6A title game to Stranahan after going 27-4. The Spartans return 2020 6’10” center Jamille Reynolds (UCF signee), 2021 6’5″ guard Oteman Delancy, 2020 6’2″ guard TJ Tampa and 2020 6’2″ guard Elijah Jackson. Tampa Catholic has made four Final Four trips in a row. The Crusaders have a 2020 class that has a ton of starting experience with 2020 6’8″ forward Johni Broome (Morehead State commit), 2020 6’5″ guard Kobe Knox, 2020 6’6″ guard Alijah Harrison (starter since his freshman season alongside Kevin Knox), 2020 6’7″ forward Isaiah Elmore and 6′ guard Marcellus Crutchfield. Gibbs features 2020 6′ scoring sensation Tre Gilliam while Booker has guard trio: 2021’s King Winkfield and Paul McLeod and 2020 Noah Dubose in charge. This district has a slew of really good prospects.
Class 4A-District 11
2018-19 winner: N/A. Avon Park, Lake Placid, McKeel, Mulberry and Tenoroc all moved in from 5A-11 and DeSoto County from 6A-10 to form 4A-11.
Teams to watch: McKeel, Avon Park, DeSoto County
Other teams in the district: Lake Placid, Tenoroc, Mulberry
Predicted district champion: McKeel
—McKeel has some really nice pieces still around with 2020 6’3″ guard Jakeese Kemp, 2021 6′ guard Brayden Longabarger and 2023 5’10” guard Roligah Hardy (he got a lot of action as an 8th grader). 2021 6′ guard Malcolm Dewberry is a player to watch for Avon Park while 2021 6’4″ forward Keimar Richardson is a true athlete for DeSoto County.
Class 4A-District 12
2018-19 winner: N/A. Clewiston and LaBelle came from 5A-10, Lincoln Park from 6A-15, Glades Central and Inlet Grove from 5A-11 to form 4A-12.
Teams to watch: LaBelle
Other teams in the district: Clewiston, Lincoln Park, Glades Central, Inlet Grove
Predicted district champion: LaBelle
—LaBelle was a 5A region quarterfinalist a season ago and has its second leading scorer 2020 5’11” guard Noah Garza (11.6 PPG) leading the way. The Cowboys always have shooters and I expect them to be able to take home the district crown.
Class 4A-District 13
2018-19 winner: N/A. North Broward Prep, Delray Beach American Heritage and Coral Springs Charter came in from 5A-12, Somerset Canyons from 5A-11, Cardinal Gibbons and Pine Crest from 5A-13 and Pompano Beach from 6A-16 to create 4A-13
Teams to watch: North Broward Prep, Pine Crest, Coral Springs Charter, Cardinal Gibbons
Other teams in the district: Pompano Beach, Delray Beach American Heritage, Somerset Canyons
Predicted district champion: North Broward Prep
—4A-13 will come down to North Broward Prep and Pine Crest in my opinion. Pine Crest has a set of twins in 2022 6’5″ guards Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson (offers from Alabama, USF, Iowa State & FAU) leading the way. Alongside them is 2021 6’3″ forward Eros Carpio. North Broward Prep has 2020 5’10” guard Dominick Denny in charge of this group and he can score at will. 2021 6’6″ forward MK Ashmore is a lengthy and dangerous two-way player, 2022 6’8″ forward Justin Abson is coming along nicely and 2022 6’2″ guard Maximus Fuentes is a high IQ pass-first player. 2022 6’1″ guard Kamren Ramsarran and 2020 6’6″ forward Ian Tajalli are going to help Coral Springs Charter hang around.
Class 4A-District 14
2018-19 winner: N/A. Stranahan and Hallandale come in from 6A-16, University School and Somerset Pembroke Pines from 5A-13, Mater Lakes from 5A-14 and Carol City from 7A-15.
Teams to watch: University School, Stranahan, Mater Lakes, Somerset Pembroke Pines, Carol City, Hallandale
Other teams in the district: N/A
Predicted district champion: University School
—This Miami/Ft. Lauderdale district has six programs that are going to be very good. Hence why I placed them all in teams to watch. University School (back to back 5A state champions) and Stranahan (6A state champions last season) are going to be the top two contenders. U-School lost 2020 guard Scottie Barnes to Montverde and of course 2019 forward Vernon Carey Jr. is now at Duke, but the Howard brothers, 2020 6’6″ guard Jace Howard and 2022 6’5″ guard Jett Howard along with 2020 6’4″ guard Roger McFarlane and 2022 6’9″ forward Taylor Hendricks will look to help the Sharks earn the 3-peat. As for Stranahan, the Mighty Dragons have a deep 2020 class with 6’7″ forward Inady Legiste, 6’2″ guard Chayse Culpepper, 2020 6’5″ guard/forward Leonard Manuel (transfer from Ocala Vanguard), 2020 6’1″ guard Dave Herard and 2020 6’2″ guard Daquion Vickers vying for a second state title in a row.
Other teams: Mater Lakes features 2022 6’5″ forward Andruw Rondon-Delacruz and 2023 5’9″ guard Jamai Tejada. Somerset Pembroke Pines has 2020 6’5″ forward Nathan Montaque and 2021 5’11” guard Jonathan Renois looking to make noise. 2021 6’2″ guard Rashard Parms will carry the load for Carol City while Hallandale will have 2020 guard duo Michael Rogers and Carlton Campbell.
Class 4A-District 15
2018-19 winner: N/A. iMater, Pace and Edison came from 5A-14, Miami Springs from 7A-16, Booker T. Washington from 5A-15 and North Miami Beach from 7A-15 to form 4A-15.
Teams to watch: Miami Springs, North Miami Beach, Pace
Other teams in the district: iMater, Edison, Booker T. Washington
Predicted district champion: Pace
—Pace has plenty to work with and could easily take home this district behind 2020 6’4″ guard Marcus Frazier, 2020 5’10” guard Nasir Lamar and 2021 5’8″ Cafecito Ulloa in charge of this group. 2021 6’1″ guard Nathaniel Fulton will have North Miami Beach relevant while Miami Springs will feature 2020 pair Alexander Aguilar and Luis Young.
Class 4A-District 16
2018-19 winner: N/A. Sunset and St. Brendan came over from 7A-16, LaSalle and Gulliver Prep from 5A-15 and Key West and Keys Gate from 5A-16 to form 4A-16.
Teams to watch: Gulliver Prep, Sunset
Other teams in the district: LaSalle, St. Brendan, Key West, Keys Gate
Predicted district champion: Gulliver Prep
—-This is going to come down to Gulliver Prep and Sunset most likely. Gulliver Prep has a slew of talent including 2020 6’7″ forward Tony Sanders, 2020 5’11” guard Gabe Taylor and 2020 6’5″ forward Diego Lamonica. Football players 2020 6’6′ forward Donnell Harris (Texas A&M commit) and 2020 6’1″ Eddie Jackson (Northern Illinois commit) both transferred in from Booker T. Washington. Sunset has a nice guard trio in 2020 6’2″ Jayden Wilson and 2021 6’1″ twins Dylan Harris and Justin Harris.
Predicted State Champion: University School
—University School still has a lot of pedigree and talent even with Carey Jr. off to college and Barnes now at Montverde. The Howard brothers can score in a variety of ways and continue to get better, McFarlane is a strong willed point man who is getting more athletic and Hendricks is a dangerous riser. Getting past Stranahan won’t be easy and I could see it going either way in 4A-14. Paxon, Tampa Catholic, The Villages and North Broward Prep should all make deep runs in the new Class 4A.
Final Score (4A State Final):
Westminster 77
Seffner Christian 73The 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