Class 7A Season Preview (Part 1)

<p>Preseason classics are underway and the FHSAA regular season officially begins on November 25.</p> <p>We will bring you previews on all seven classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences.</p> <p><em>ICYMI:</em> </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/10/siaa-season-preview/">SIAA Preview</a></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-1a-season-preview-3/">Class 1A Preview</a></p> <p>Class 2A Preview: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-2a-season-preview-part-1/">(Part 1), </a>(<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-2a-season-preview-part-2/">Part 2</a>)</p> <p>Class 3A Preview: (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-3a-season-preview-part-1/">Part 1</a>), (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-3a-season-preview-part-2/">Part 2</a>)</p> <p>Class 4A Preview: (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-4a-season-preview-part-1/">Part 1</a>), (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-4a-season-preview-part-2/">Part 2</a>)</p> <p>Class 5A Preview: (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-5a-season-preview-part-1-2/">Part 1</a>), (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-5a-season-preview-part-2-3/">Part 2</a>)</p> <p>Class 6A Preview: (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-6a-season-preview-part-1-3/">Part 1</a>), (<a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/11/class-6a-season-preview-part-2-3/">Part 2</a>)</p> <p>We arrive on Class 7A and its 16 districts, here with Part 1. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/03/7a-state-final-crestview-takes-home-its-first-state-title-in-34-years/">Crestview won its first state title in 34 years with a gritty victory over Dillard in the 7A state title in March</a>.</p> <blockquote> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>2018-19 state champion: Crestview</strong></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>2018-19 runner-up: Dillard</strong></h3> </blockquote> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Part 1</strong></span></h2> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">Class 7A-District 1 </span></strong></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>2018-19 winner: </i></strong>Pine Forest beat Milton in the 7A-1 district final. Now six Jacksonville area programs sit in 7A-1 with Bartram Trail and Oakleaf coming in from 8A-4, Flagler Palm Coast, Mandarin and Sandalwood from 9A-1 and Nease from 7A-3.</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Teams to watch: </i></strong>Oakleaf, Mandarin, Bartram Trail, Flagler Palm Coast</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><i><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </i>Sandalwood, Nease</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Predicted district champion:</i></strong><i> </i>Mandarin</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">---Mandarin has 2020 guard duo <strong>Quajon Young</strong> and <strong>William Spriggs</strong> back leading the way. Oakleaf is going to compete with 2021 6'4" guard <strong>Markel Allums</strong> at the forefront and 2021 6'2" forward <strong>Darian Johnson </strong>will be the top piece for Bartram Trail.</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">Class 7A-District 2 </span></strong></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>2018-19 winner: </i></strong>Choctawhatchee beat Crestview in the 7A-2 district championship, but it was Crestview who beat the Indians in the region semifinal before capturing the state title. Six Central Florida programs are now in 7A-2 with DeLand and Spruce Creek from 9A-1, Sanford Seminole, Lake Mary and Orange City University from 9A-2 and West Port from </span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><i>Teams to watch: </i></strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Seminole, Spruce Creek, West Port</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><i><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </i>DeLand, University, Lake Mary</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Predicted district champion:</i></strong><i> </i>Seminole</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1">---This district will be a fun finish between Seminole and Spruce Creek. Seminole has 2022 6' twins <strong>Demari Henderson </strong>and <strong>Jacari Henderson</strong>. 2020 guard trio <strong>O'Shae Baker</strong>, <strong>Ladarron Cleveland</strong> and <strong>Amaire Perkins </strong>doing a ton of damage on both ends of the floor. As for Spruce Creek, 2020 6'2" guard <strong>Kendall </strong><strong>Bean </strong>(transfer from Atlantic) and 2021 6'4" guard <strong>Jayhden Moncrease </strong>(transfer from Montverde). 2020 6' guard <strong>Max Oles </strong>and 2020 6'6" forward <strong>Max Depina </strong>are back to provide plenty of scoring.</p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">Class 7A-District 3 </span></strong></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>2018-19 winner: </i></strong>St. Augustine beat Englewood in the 7A-3 district final. Now, seven Orlando area squads are in the revamped 7A-3 with Apopka, West Orange and Evans coming in from 9A-3, Lake Brantley from 9A-2, Dr. Phillips and Olympia from 9A-5 and Ocoee from 8A-5.</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><i><strong>Teams to watch:</strong> </i>Apopka, Ocoee, Evans, Dr. Phillips</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Other teams in the district: </i></strong>Lake Brantley, West Orange, Olympia</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Predicted district champion:</i><i> </i></strong>Apopka</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">---There is a whole lot of size and athleticism between Apopka and Ocoee. Evans and Dr. Phillips will play a part in how this unfolds. Dr. Phillips has 2020 6'3" guard <strong>Abdoulaye Thiam</strong>, 2022 6'8" forward <strong>Ernest Udeh</strong> and 2022 6'2" guard <strong>Denzel Aberdeen</strong> in place. Ocoee has 2020 6'7" forward <strong>David Green </strong>(Hofstra commit), 2020 6'9" forward <strong>Alston Andrews</strong> (Illinois State commit) and 2020 6' guard <strong>Sadeem Blake</strong> leading the charge. Apopka is always a contender with 2020 6'6" forward <strong>Zachary Anderson</strong> (FGCU commit), 2021 6'1" guard <strong>John Latimer</strong>, 2020 6'2" guard <strong>Rudy Gatling </strong>and 2023 6'4" forward <strong>Camerin James.</strong><br /> </span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1">Class 7A-District 4 </span></strong></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>2018-19 winner: </i></strong>Columbia beat Gainesville in the 7A-4 district final. The new look 7A-4 has seven Orlando based programs in Colonial, Timber Creek, Orlando University and Winter Park from 9A-4, Hagerty from 8A-6 and Oviedo and Lyman from 9A-2.</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Teams to watch: </i></strong>Colonial, Timber Creek, Oviedo, Hagerty</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><i><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </i>Winter Park, Lyman</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1"><span class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-s1"><strong><i>Predicted district champion:</i><i> </i></strong>Timber Creek</span></p> <p class="m_-7696622011286584370gmail-p1">---Oviedo has senior twins <strong>Mamush Galloway</strong> and <strong>Kayamo Galloway</strong> standing at 6'1", Hagerty has 2022 6'4" guard <strong>Jah Nze</strong>, Colonial has 2020 pair <strong>Earvin Rivera</strong> and <strong>Richard Hinds</strong> leading the way while Timber Creek has 2020 duo <strong>Dylan Holloman</strong> and <strong>Cameron Hall</strong>. This will be a close district.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class 7A-District 5</strong></p> <p><em><strong>2018-19 winner: </strong></em>Mainland beat Atlantic in the 7A-5 district championship. Now, six Orlando based programs are in 7A-5 with Boone and Lake Nona from 9A-4, Oak Ridge, Orlando Cypress Creek and Orlando Freedom from 9A-5 and Tohopekaliga from 8A-6.</p> <p><strong><em>Teams to watch: </em></strong>Oak Ridge, Boone, Lake Nona</p> <p><em><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </em>Cypress Creek, Freedom, Tohopekaliga</p> <p><em><strong>Predicted district champion:</strong> </em>Oak Ridge</p> <p>---Oak Ridge has been dominant for quite some time and with the trio of new 2021 pieces, 6'5" guard <strong>Michael James </strong>(transfer from Wekiva), 6'6" forward <strong>Roddrick Henry </strong>(transfer from Rickards) and 6'6" forward <strong>Jeremiah Bannister </strong>(transfer from First Academy). Add in the return and maturation of 2021 6'3" guard <strong>Jalen Smith </strong>and the Pioneers have a lot of true talent in place. 2022 6'6" forward <strong>Lewis Jones </strong>and 2022 6'3" guard <strong>Fabio Basili </strong>(transfer from Lake Howell) will earn heavy minutes as well.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class 7A-District 6</strong></p> <p><strong><em>2018-19 winner: </em></strong>Auburndale took down Lake Gibson in the district championship for the second straight year. Six Orlando area teams are now in 7A-6 with Kissimmee Osceola, Ridge Community and Haines City joining from 9A-7, Celebration from 8A-6 and Windermere and East Ridge from 8A-5.</p> <p><em><strong>Teams to watch:</strong> </em>Osceola, Windermere, Celebration</p> <p><em><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </em>Ridge Community, East Ridge, Haines City</p> <p><em><strong>Predicted district champion:</strong> </em>Windermere </p> <p>---Windermere lost to eventual 8A state champion Blanche Ely in the state semifinal in March. The Wolverines return 2021 6'3" guard <strong>Trey Moss</strong>, 2021 6'3" guard <strong>Kanye Jones </strong>(transfer from First Academy), 2021 5'11" guard <strong>EJ Yorke</strong>, 2020 6'6" forward <strong>Eric Canavan</strong> and 2021 6'4" guard <strong>Jaden Golston</strong> (transfer from Montverde).</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class 7A-District 7</strong></p> <p><em><strong>2018-19 winner:</strong> </em>Hillsborough beat King in the district final and advanced to the state semifinal losing in overtime to Dillard. Alonso from 9A-6, Palm Harbor from 8A-10 and Sickles, Wharton, Plant and Steinbrenner from 8A-8.</p> <p><strong><em>Teams to watch:</em> </strong>Sickles, Wharton, Alonso, Plant</p> <p><strong><em>Other teams in the district: </em></strong>Palm Harbor, Steinbrenner</p> <p><em><strong>Predicted district champion: </strong></em>Sickles</p> <p>---Sickles added an emerging talent in 2022 6'7" forward <strong>Dillon Mitchell</strong> (transfer from Alonso) to pair with 2022 6'2" guard <strong>Javohn Thomas</strong>, 2020 6'11" forward <strong>Trey Jones</strong> and 2022 guards <strong>Dominc Gooden </strong>(transfer from Alonso) and <strong>Zach Johnson</strong> (transfer from Armwood). Wharton has 2020 6'4" guard <strong>Carr Thiam</strong>, 2020 5'10" guard <strong>Gio Reyes</strong>, 2020 6'5" forward <strong>Josh Barnett </strong>and 2023 6'1" guard <strong>Joel Harrison </strong>in place.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class 7A-District 8</strong></p> <p><em><strong>2018-19 winner:</strong> </em>Land O' Lakes beat Sunlake in the 7A-8 district title game. Seven Tampa/Sarasota area schools now reside in the new 7A-8 district with Newsome, Tampa Riverview and Sarasota Riverview from 9A-6, Durant and Lennard from 8A-9, North Port from 8A-12 and Lakewood Ranch from 8A-11.</p> <p><strong><em>Teams to watch: </em></strong>Sarasota Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Tampa Riverview, Durant, Lennard </p> <p><em><strong>Other teams in the district:</strong> </em>Newsome</p> <p><strong><em>Predicted district champion:</em></strong> Lakewood Ranch</p> <p>---Lakewood Ranch played Blanche Ely tough in the 8A state final and had many chances to win. The Mustangs return 2020 6'6" guard <strong>Christian Shaneyfelt</strong> (Rollins commit), 2020 6'1" guard <strong>Keon Buckley</strong>, 2020 6'7" forward <strong>Luke Lecroy</strong> and 2020 5'9" guard <strong>Christian Perez</strong>. Sarasota Riverview will do plenty to make life tough for Lakewood Ranch with 2021 6'6" forward <strong>Jayven Millien</strong>, 2020 6'3" guard <strong>Marquel Bryant</strong>, 2021 6'5" forward <strong>Ryker Swor</strong> and emerging 2023 6'2" guard <strong>Jason Jackson.</strong></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Final Score (7A State Final):<br /> <br /> Crestview 50<br /> Dillard 40<br /> <br /> The Bulldogs win their 2nd ever state title (last one - 1985)<br /> <br /> ????leaders <a href="https://twitter.com/CrestviewHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CrestviewHS</a> <br /> Jaden Voisin 21<br /> Mason Cooper 8<br /> Marcus Purcell 7<a href="https://twitter.com/DillardHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DillardHoops</a> <br /> Jalen Haynes 10<br /> Makerere Williams 10 <a href="https://t.co/jNidpdBYJv">pic.twitter.com/jNidpdBYJv</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1104480149079314432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>