Class 7A Season Preview (Part 1)
Preseason classics are underway 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 underway 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), (Part 2)
Class 5A Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2)
Class 6A Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2)
We arrive on Class 7A and its 16 districts, here with Part 1. Crestview won its first state title in 34 years with a gritty victory over Dillard in the 7A state title in March.
2018-19 state champion: Crestview
2018-19 runner-up: Dillard
Part 1
Class 7A-District 1
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Oakleaf, Mandarin, Bartram Trail, Flagler Palm Coast
Other teams in the district: Sandalwood, Nease
Predicted district champion: Mandarin
—Mandarin has 2020 guard duo Quajon Young and William Spriggs back leading the way. Oakleaf is going to compete with 2021 6’4″ guard Markel Allums at the forefront and 2021 6’2″ forward Darian Johnson will be the top piece for Bartram Trail.
Class 7A-District 2
2018-19 winner: 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
Teams to watch: Seminole, Spruce Creek, West Port
Other teams in the district: DeLand, University, Lake Mary
Predicted district champion: Seminole
—This district will be a fun finish between Seminole and Spruce Creek. Seminole has 2022 6′ twins Demari Henderson and Jacari Henderson. 2020 guard trio O’Shae Baker, Ladarron Cleveland and Amaire Perkins doing a ton of damage on both ends of the floor. As for Spruce Creek, 2020 6’2″ guard Kendall Bean (transfer from Atlantic) and 2021 6’4″ guard Jayhden Moncrease (transfer from Montverde). 2020 6′ guard Max Oles and 2020 6’6″ forward Max Depina are back to provide plenty of scoring.
Class 7A-District 3
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Apopka, Ocoee, Evans, Dr. Phillips
Other teams in the district: Lake Brantley, West Orange, Olympia
Predicted district champion: Apopka
—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 Abdoulaye Thiam, 2022 6’8″ forward Ernest Udeh and 2022 6’2″ guard Denzel Aberdeen in place. Ocoee has 2020 6’7″ forward David Green (Hofstra commit), 2020 6’9″ forward Alston Andrews (Illinois State commit) and 2020 6′ guard Sadeem Blake leading the charge. Apopka is always a contender with 2020 6’6″ forward Zachary Anderson (FGCU commit), 2021 6’1″ guard John Latimer, 2020 6’2″ guard Rudy Gatling and 2023 6’4″ forward Camerin James.
Class 7A-District 4
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Colonial, Timber Creek, Oviedo, Hagerty
Other teams in the district: Winter Park, Lyman
Predicted district champion: Timber Creek
—Oviedo has senior twins Mamush Galloway and Kayamo Galloway standing at 6’1″, Hagerty has 2022 6’4″ guard Jah Nze, Colonial has 2020 pair Earvin Rivera and Richard Hinds leading the way while Timber Creek has 2020 duo Dylan Holloman and Cameron Hall. This will be a close district.
Class 7A-District 5
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Oak Ridge, Boone, Lake Nona
Other teams in the district: Cypress Creek, Freedom, Tohopekaliga
Predicted district champion: Oak Ridge
—Oak Ridge has been dominant for quite some time and with the trio of new 2021 pieces, 6’5″ guard Michael James (transfer from Wekiva), 6’6″ forward Roddrick Henry (transfer from Rickards) and 6’6″ forward Jeremiah Bannister (transfer from First Academy). Add in the return and maturation of 2021 6’3″ guard Jalen Smith and the Pioneers have a lot of true talent in place. 2022 6’6″ forward Lewis Jones and 2022 6’3″ guard Fabio Basili (transfer from Lake Howell) will earn heavy minutes as well.
Class 7A-District 6
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Osceola, Windermere, Celebration
Other teams in the district: Ridge Community, East Ridge, Haines City
Predicted district champion: Windermere
—Windermere lost to eventual 8A state champion Blanche Ely in the state semifinal in March. The Wolverines return 2021 6’3″ guard Trey Moss, 2021 6’3″ guard Kanye Jones (transfer from First Academy), 2021 5’11” guard EJ Yorke, 2020 6’6″ forward Eric Canavan and 2021 6’4″ guard Jaden Golston (transfer from Montverde).
Class 7A-District 7
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Sickles, Wharton, Alonso, Plant
Other teams in the district: Palm Harbor, Steinbrenner
Predicted district champion: Sickles
—Sickles added an emerging talent in 2022 6’7″ forward Dillon Mitchell (transfer from Alonso) to pair with 2022 6’2″ guard Javohn Thomas, 2020 6’11” forward Trey Jones and 2022 guards Dominc Gooden (transfer from Alonso) and Zach Johnson (transfer from Armwood). Wharton has 2020 6’4″ guard Carr Thiam, 2020 5’10” guard Gio Reyes, 2020 6’5″ forward Josh Barnett and 2023 6’1″ guard Joel Harrison in place.
Class 7A-District 8
2018-19 winner: 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.
Teams to watch: Sarasota Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Tampa Riverview, Durant, Lennard
Other teams in the district: Newsome
Predicted district champion: Lakewood Ranch
—Lakewood Ranch played Blanche Ely tough in the 8A state final and had many chances to win. The Mustangs return 2020 6’6″ guard Christian Shaneyfelt (Rollins commit), 2020 6’1″ guard Keon Buckley, 2020 6’7″ forward Luke Lecroy and 2020 5’9″ guard Christian Perez. Sarasota Riverview will do plenty to make life tough for Lakewood Ranch with 2021 6’6″ forward Jayven Millien, 2020 6’3″ guard Marquel Bryant, 2021 6’5″ forward Ryker Swor and emerging 2023 6’2″ guard Jason Jackson.
Final Score (7A State Final):
Crestview 50
Dillard 40The Bulldogs win their 2nd ever state title (last one – 1985)
????leaders @CrestviewHS
Jaden Voisin 21
Mason Cooper 8
Marcus Purcell 7@DillardHoops
Jalen Haynes 10
Makerere Williams 10 pic.twitter.com/jNidpdBYJv— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 9, 2019