Class 7A Season Preview (Part 2)
Preseason classics are now 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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPreseason classics are now 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)
Class 7A Preview: (Part 1)
We arrive on Class 7A and its 16 districts, here with Part 2. 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 2
Class 7A-District 9
2018-19 winner: Clearwater took down Boca Ciega in the district title. 7A-9 looks different with Dwyer coming in from 8A-13, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce Central, Centennial and Treasure Coast from 9A-8 and Palm Beach Gardens from 9A-9.
Teams to watch: Treasure Coast, Vero Beach, Dwyer
Other teams in the district: Centennial, Palm Beach Gardens, Fort Pierce Central
Predicted district champion: Dwyer
—Vero Beach and Treasure Coast both graduated a deep group of seniors but should stay relevant. Dwyer will feature two scrappy guards with 2020 5’9″ guard Courtney Grant and 2022 5’11” guard Xavier Scott.
Class 7A-District 10
2018-19 winner: Charlotte beat Port Charlotte in the 7A-10 district championship. Now in 7A-10 are six Palm Beach area teams in Forest Hill, Palm Beach Lakes and Royal Palm Beach from 8A-13 and Jupiter, Palm Beach Central and Wellington from 9A-9.
Teams to watch: Wellington, Forest Hill, Jupiter, Palm Beach Lakes, Palm Beach Central
Other teams in the district: Royal Palm Beach
Predicted district champion: Wellington
—This is a very talented district and with 2020 6’7″ Palm Beach Lakes forward Giancarlo Rosado (FAU commit), 2021 5’10” guard William VanHook and 2020 5’8″ Eduardo Diaz leading Palm Beach Central, that leaves some even deeper teams in Wellington, Forest Hill and Jupiter. Jupiter has 2020 6’3″ guard Larry Scott and 2020 6’7″ forward Josh Glesil out in front. Forest Hill has athletes all over the place with 2020 5’10” guard D’ante Daniels, 2020 6’10” forward D’ontaye Strawter, 2021 6’5″ forward Donovan Draper, 2020 6′ guard Troy Joseph and 2021 6’3″ forward Roderick Johnson. Wellington has 2023 6’4″ guard Marvel Allen (transfer from Benjamin), 2021 6’6″ forward Chris Walker, 2022 6’6″ forward Keon Kindred, 2020 6’3″ guard De’Ante Perez and 2020 5’10” guards Leontry Frazier and Jagger Ruiz.
Class 7A-District 11
2018-19 winner: Fort Myers outlasted Lehigh in overtime in the 7A-11 district final. Now, six teams between the Boca Raton and Lake Worth areas have come into the district with Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Spanish River, Santaluces and Park Vista coming in from 9A-10 and Leonard from 9A-9.
Teams to watch: Santaluces, Leonard, Park Vista, Lake Worth
Other teams in the district: Spanish River, Boca Raton
Predicted district champion: Lake Worth
—This is really anyone’s district. I’m going with Lake Worth considering the Trojans seem to always have athletes in place.
Class 7A-District 12
2018-19 winner: Naples defeated Palmetto Ridge for the second consecutive season to take home the 7A-12 district crown. Shifting into the revamped 7A-12 district is Deerfield Beach, Stoneman Douglas, Coral Springs, Monarch, Taravella and Coral Glades, all from 9A-11.
Teams to watch: Deerfield Beach, Monarch, Coral Springs
Other teams in the district: Stoneman Douglas, Taravella, Coral Glades
Predicted district champion: Deerfield Beach
—Deerfield Beach brought in two savvy seniors in 2020 6’6″ forward Marshaun West and 2020 5’11” guard RJ Rowe from Stoneman Douglas. 2021 6’3″ forward Cameron Kilpatrick and 2020 6’1″ guard Degarrian Glass will be integral parts to this team.
Class 7A-District 13
2018-19 winner: Okeechobee beat Jensen Beach in the 7A-13 district final. Six different programs move into 7A-13 with Cooper City from 8A-15, Flanagan from 9A-13, Naples Gulf Coast from 8A-12, Cypress Bay, Piper and Western from 9A-12.
Teams to watch: Cypress Bay, Piper, Western, Cooper City
Other teams in the district: Flanagan, Gulf Coast
Predicted district champion: Cypress Bay
—Cypress Bay is my pick out of this 7A-13 bunch with 2020 6’1″ guard Brandon Garcia, 2020 6′ guard Isaiah Quinteros and 2021 6’3″ forward Jordan Hinds. For Western, 2021 6′ guard Gavin Ostrow, 2020 6’3″ guard Garrett Anderson and 2021 6’5″ forward Michael Barbe are in the mix. 2022 6’3″ guard Elijah Wyche is a player to watch for Cooper City.
Class 7A-District 14
2018-19 winner: Dillard edged out Boyd Anderson to win 7A-14. Now, six Miami area squads move into this district with Dr. Krop and Hialeah Gardens from 9A-14, Everglades from 5A-15, Miramar and West Broward from 9A-13 and Reagan from 8A-16.
Teams to watch: Dr. Krop, Miramar, Hialeah Gardens
Other teams in the district: Everglades, Reagan, West Broward
Predicted district champion: Miramar
—I love the versatility and tenacity that Miramar brings to the plate. The Patriots have a lot to like with 2020 6’3″ guard Brent Davis (Citadel commit), 2022 6’5″ forward Deshawn Jean-Charles, 2022 6’5″ guard Faheim Meran, 2021 6’4″ forward Skye Poindexter and 2021 6′ guard Khamaury McMillan. Dr. Krop will have a lot to say in this district with 2020 trio, 6’5″ guard Deshaun Joseph, 6’6″ forward Justin Reid and 6’4″ guard Ethan Amar.
Class 7A-District 15
2018-19 winner: Norland beat Central in the 7A-15 district final. Six different Miami programs slide into this revamped 7A-15 district with Miami Beach and Miami from 9A-14, Coral Gables, Coral Park, Colombus and Southwest from 9A-15.
Teams to watch: Coral Park, Miami, Coral Gables, Colombus, Miami Beach
Other teams in the district: Southwest
Predicted district champion: Coral Gables
—This is a stacked district with those five teams to watch all going to be tough to beat night in and night out. 2023 6’6 forward Scotty Middleton and 2021 guard 6’4 Reggie Luis are the guys to watch for Colombus, 2020 6’1″ guard Ga’khari Lacount (Lynn commit), 2020 6’5″ forward Jason Don and 2020 6′ guard Andrew Lopez are going to give Coral Park an edge. Miami Beach has a fun 2021 duo in 6’7″ forward Craig Starks and 6’4″ forward Demetrius Patterson. Miami has 2021 pair 6’5″ forward Justin Neely and 2021 6’6″ forward Taderrius Davis along with 2020 5’8″ guard Andre Bynum (transfer from SLAM).
—It is Coral Gables who has the most depth in place with 2022 trio 6’6″ forward Jimel Lane, 6’5″ guard Kuran Bryant and 6’2″ guard Rome Delgado, 2020 6’5″ guard Walter Daniels and 2021 6′ guard Desmond Romer. They are my pick. But get the record straight, all of these teams will be very good. This is certainly the toughest district in 7A.
Class 7A-District 16
2018-19 winner: Doral Academy won the district over Belen Jesuit. Now in 7A-16 is Braddock and Ferguson from 9A-15, Palmetto, Coral Reef, South Dade and Varela from 9A-16.
Teams to watch: Palmetto, Coral Reef, Braddock, Ferguson
Other teams in the district: Varela, South Dade
Predicted district champion: Palmetto
—Palmetto is the pick but Coral Reef, Braddock and Ferguson will certainly hang around. The Panthers play beyond tough and feature 2020 6’4″ guard Kentron Poitier, 2020 6’2″ guard Jordan Lopez, 2021 6’6″ forward Jacoby Brooks and 2021 6′ guard Marcos Molina and 2021 6’3″ guard Joel Aloma.
Predicted State Champion: Miramar
—This is the hardest class to pick by far. Windermere, Oak Ridge, Lakewood Ranch, Seminole, Apopka, Miramar and Palmetto are all going to go far in this new-look Class 7A. Ultimately, my selection is Miramar. Again, any of these teams could win in Lakeland, but I like the versatility, overall team speed and all-around ability on both ends to take home the state championship. Plus, Miramar was super impressive for much of last season and bring back its top pieces.
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