Class 1A Season Preview

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. Starting with Class 1A and its eight districts, here is the beginning of class previews.

2016-17 state champion: West Gadsden 2016-17 runner-up: Wildwood

Class 1A-District 1 2016 winner: Paxton had a 21-5 overall record but it was Laurel Hill that won the district with a 45-42 win over the Bobcats. Both Paxton and Laurel Hill lost in the region semifinal round. Bobcats' leading scorer Zach Varnum departs along with fellow senior Garrett Bodie. However, 2020 guard Connor Varnum, Zach's younger brother is developing. Teams to watch: Paxton, Laurel Hill, Malone and Bethlehem. Other teams in the district: Ponce De Leon, Central and Poplar Springs Predicted district champion: Paxton -The Bobcats have averaged 23 wins since 2012 so it is very hard to pick against them. Laurel Hill will give Paxton a run for their money with 2020 forward Mason Cooper and 2018 guard Sam Durm running the show. Class 1A-District 2 2016 winner: Graceville avenged an earlier season loss to Holmes County to beat the Blue Devils 44-41 in the district title game. The Tigers used that momentum to reach the state semifinals before losing to Wildwood 69-62. Teams to watch: Graceville, Holmes County, Sneads and Blountstown Other teams in the district: Vernon, Cottondale, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka and Altha Predicted district champion: Graceville Top scorer Derek White has graduated for Graceville, but 2018 starters C.J. Smith and Thomas Broxton return. Freshman guard Xavien Sorey earned time as an 8th grader and should play a bit.  It will be hard to slow down the Tigers this season but I think Sneads will battle them with 2018 guard Jaquan Daniels leading the charge. Class 1A-District 3 2016 winner: This was a two-team race all season long between Chipley and Baker. Chipley came out on top in the district championship, 69-60 and lost in the region final to eventual state champion West Gadsden. Teams to watch: Chipley, Baker, South Walton Other teams in the district: Freeport, Jay, Northview Predicted district champion: Baker I'm going to give Baker the slight edge over Chipley in this district simply because they have the core returning. The Gators graduated four seniors, but they have 2018 forward Kalee Ciurleo, 2021 guard Junior Mclaughlin and 2020 guard Derek Peoples back. 2019 guard Kelvin Dean will be the top piece for Chipley. Class 1A-District 4 2016 winner: Last year's district champion West Gadsden merged with East Gadsden to form a new school Gadsden County in Class 5A. Franklin County was the second-best team in this district a year ago, finishing 22-8 overall. Altha, Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka have joined the district. Teams to watch: Franklin County, Liberty County, Port St. Joe Other teams in the district: Wewahitchka, Bozeman, Altha Predicted district champion: Franklin County Barring injuries Franklin County should be able to run away with this district. 2019 guard Jan Lowe, 2018 center Nathan Jones and 2021 guard Lamarius Martin will be the feature pieces. Class 1A-District 5 2016 winner: Madison County had an impressive (23-4, 8-0) season in route to a district title. The Cowboys advanced to the region final before losing to Hawthorne. Teams to watch: Madison County, Hamilton County Other teams in the district: Lafayette, Jefferson County Predicted district champion: Hamilton County Both Madison County and Hamilton County lost its leading scorer from a year ago. The Cowboys graduated Josiah Mitchell while the Trojans graduated Jarvouse Keel. I think Hamilton County overtakes the district behind 2018 starters Javiel Jones and Brandon McClain. Dilan Lawson (Madison County), Ben Massey (Lafayette) and Jayshawn Francis (Jefferson County) are other district players to keep an eye on. Class 1A-District 6 2016 winner: Hawthorne (24-6, 10-0) beat Newberry (now a 5A school) in the district championship. The Hornets made it to the state semifinal before falling to eventual state champion West Gadsden. Teams to watch: Hawthorne, Crescent City Other teams in the district: Hilliard, Union County Predicted district champion: Hawthorne This is Hawthorne's district to lose. The Hornets saw four seniors graduate including leading scorer Detron Green, but they have depth. 2018 guards Devin Lawrence and Mickel Crawford will lead the way alongside 2019 forwards Marcus Williams and Alphonso Williams. Class 1A-District 7 2016 winner: Bell (22-6) pulled away until Dixie County (17-9) upset them in the district title game. The Bears won its first playoff game since 2003 with a region semifinal victory against Crescent City. Williston joins from district-6. Teams to watch: Bell, Dixie County, Williston, Trenton Other teams in the district: Branford, Bronson, Chiefland, Cedar Key Predicted district champion: Dixie County It is very difficult to pick a winner between Bell, Dixie County and Williston. 2020 guard Jeremiah James will be the leader for Williston while 2018 guards James Smith and Aaron Dawson are the top dogs for Dixie County. Bell has 2018 guard Tony Yoder at the helm. I have to give the slight edge to Dixie County in this tough district, perhaps the hardest in the class. Class 1A-District 8 2016 winner: Wildwood (25-4) won the district title then made a push all the way to the state championship before finishing as the runner-up. Expect the Wildcats to be even more determined this season. Frostproof will compete a bit with 2018 forward Hamilton Johnson scoring in bunches. Teams to watch: Wildwood, Frostproof Other teams in the district: Pahokee, Fort Meade Predicted district champion: Wildwood Wildwood didn't lose a single player to graduation. 2018 guard Dorian Wilson is back as the leading scorer, 2020 guard Marcus Niblack is maturing into a true Division-I talent and 2018 starters Shemar Rose and Bryan McMullen are gritty players. This is the Wildcats' district to lose. Predicted state champion: Wildwood The Wildcats were young a season ago but they are athletic and deep enough to get back to the state title game. The road to there will start with whoever wins district-7. The backcourt duo of Wilson and Niblack is as good as they come in any class, especially for 1A. Rose is the slasher of this group. Photo credit: Tallahassee Democrat