Class 5A Season Preview (Part 1)
Preseason classics are approaching in a few weeks and the regular season officially begins on November 27.
We will bring you previews on all nine classes in the state of Florida and for the independent conferences.
Here is an inside look at Class 5A and its 16 districts. This is part one which will break down the first eight districts.
Previous class previews (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A).
2016-17 state champion: Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian
2016-17 runner-up: Tampa Catholic
Class 5A-District 1
2016 winner: Pensacola Catholic took down West Florida in the district title game. The Crusaders made it to the region semifinal before losing to Marianna. West Florida lost to Marianna in the region quarterfinal. South Walton joined the district from Class 1A.
Teams to watch: Pensacola Catholic, North Bay Haven, West Florida
Other teams in the district: South Walton, Walton
Predicted district champion: Pensacola Catholic
– The Crusaders are set up for another deep run with 2018 Demerius Nickerson and 2019 prospects D.J. McKenzie, Nitrell Bledsoe and KT Teamer back. Leading scorer Penda Wiggins graduated but this team has plenty of talent. 2019 starters Michael McLaughlin and Wesley Wilmot are players to watch for North Bay Haven. 2020 guard Tehrenzo Turner returns as the leading scorer for West Florida.
Class 5A-District 2
2016 winner: Marianna advanced to the state semifinal before losing to eventual state champion Calvary Christian. The Bulldogs saw their head coach, Matt Anderson leave this off-season for Lincoln.
Teams to watch: Marianna, Gadsden County
Other teams in the district: Taylor County, Florida State University
Predicted district champion: Marianna
-The Bulldogs graduated Jaeden Harley and An’Ton Williams. However, 2018 guards Werlean Pollock, Deontre Rhynes and Nick Pollocks should carry the way. Marianna is built for at least another district title.
Class 5A-District 3
2016 winner: Raines pulled out a district title over Andrew Jackson. It was the Tigers who upset Fernandina Beach to reach the district championship. Raines made it to the region final. Baldwin moves into District 3 from Class 1A.
Teams to watch: Raines, Andrew Jackson, Fernandina Beach
Other teams in the district: Bolles, Baldwin, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, West Nassau
Predicted district champion: Raines
-I expect Raines to repeat as district champions with 2018 guard Trevon Laidler, 2018 guard Joshua Battle and 2019 guard Edward Jackson returning. Fernandina Beach and Jackson should give the Vikings trouble though.
Class 5A-District 4
2016 winner: In a back and forth district title game, Bradford clipped Interlachen 58-57. The Tornadoes advanced to the region semifinals before losing to Raines. Newberry, Fort White and Taylor joined District 4 from Class 1A.
Teams to watch: Bradford, Interlachen, Newberry
Other teams in the district: Keystone Heights, Taylor, Fort White
Predicted district champion: Bradford
-In this now six-team district, it is hard to pick against Bradford. The Tornadoes top three scorers from a year ago return in 2019 Jordan Lee, 2018 Chris Cummings and 2018 Jimtaz Curry. Other players to watch are 2018 Interlachen guard Jaquan Walker and 2019 Newberry forward Adrian McCray.
Class 5A-District 5
2016 winner: A young Villages team used a brilliant season from 2019 guard Tre Mann to reach the state final four. The Buffalo were bounced by Kevin Knox and Tampa Catholic in the state semifinal.
Teams to watch: Villages, South Sumter, Trinity Catholic
Other teams in the district: Mount Dora, Umatilla
Predicted district champion: Villages
-This is the Village’s district to lose. 2019 athletes Peyton Williams and Terry Ivery round out the talent next to Mann.
Class 5A-District 6
2016 winner: Windermere Prep defeated Master’s Academy to capture the district title. The Lakers made it to the region semifinal before losing by two points to Villages. First Academy replaces Master’s in District 6 moving up from 4A.
Teams to watch: Windermere Prep, First Academy, Lake Highland Prep
Other teams in the district: Jones, Trinity Catholic, Crooms
Predicted district champion: Windermere Prep
-Between Windermere Prep, First Academy and Lake Highland Prep there is a ton of talent. The Lakers have the best player in the district and perhaps the class in 2019 big man Balsa Koprivica. He transferred over from University to join 2018 guard Rahsaan Lewis. Lake Highland Prep has two really good guards in 2018 prospects Nick Honor and Jose Placer (transfer from Master’s).
Class 5A-District 7
2016 winner: Melbourne Central Catholic beat Holy Trinity Episcopal in both the district title game and the region semifinals before losing to Villages in the region final.
Teams to watch: Holy Trinity Episcopal, Melbourne Central Catholic, West Shore
Other teams in the district: Cocoa, Astronaut, Cocoa Beach, Edgewood
Predicted district champion: Holy Trinity
-I think the Tigers put it together this season behind 2018 guard Brandon Schwab, 2019 forward Seth Coleman and 2019 guard Preston Milo. MCC won’t go away anytime soon with 2018 guards Nick Alves and Branden Hall and 2019 Joel Rogers pitching in.
Class 5A-District 8
2016 winner: Mulberry took down McKeel to win the district championship. Both schools lost in the region quarterfinals to Holy Trinity and Melbourne Central Catholic respectively.
Teams to watch: Mulberry, McKeel, Tenoroc
Other teams in the district: Lake Placid, Avon Park
Predicted district champion: Mulberry
-The Panthers return 2018 guards Zavien Ervin and Wedley Rios to a solid group. They should be able to hold down this district. McKeel won’t be going down without a fight though with 2018 guard Andrew Brown leading the way. Other players to watch are 2018 guard Santiego Dimas and 2019 guard Javiez Williams from Tenoroc.
A predicted state champion will be announced in Part 2
Photo credit: Tampa Bay Times