Class 2A Season Preview

It's about that time again! The eight districts in Class 2A are loaded with talent from top to bottom across all 58 total schools. But, only eight can crown their district. Only one can crown the class. Here is the Class 2A Season Preview. 2016-17 state champion: Miami Christian 2016-17 runner-up: Florida Prep (Melbourne) ICYMI: Class 1A Preview Class 2A - District 1 2016 winner: Aucilla Christian (Monticello) went 8-12 on the season, but managed to walk away district champions after defeating Tallavana Christian. Tallavana lost by 47 points in the Regionals Semis to Temple Christian, while Aucilla followed suit by falling to Temple by 21 in the Regional Final. Teams to watch: Tallavana Christian Other teams in the district: Munroe, Crossroad Academy Predicted district champion: Aucilla Christian. Even at 8-12, the Warriors posted last season's best record, as well as proved that they can beat their immediate rivals en route to a 4-0 record in their district. Remembering that they reached the Regional Final should give them some confidence going into this new season. Class 2A - District 2 2016 winner: Jacksonville-Temple Christian (25-4, 9-1) rode a 14-game win streak into the State Semifinals before falling by 33 to eventual champion Miami Christian. During the run, they bested Jacksonville-Christ's Church Academy for the district crown. Temple was 7-0 on the road during the season, as well. Teams to watch: Jacksonville-Christ's Church, Jacksonville-Impact Christian Academy Other teams in the district: Jacksonville-Eagles View, Jacksonville-Cedar Creek Christian Predicted district champion: Jacksonville-Temple Christian. It's hard to go against a team who had the record Temple earned, while the second best record in the district was 13-12 by Impact Christian. Although, with six seniors leaving, and two of those  seniors combining on-average for over half their points (35), the door may be open. Kadarius Harrison was Temple's best non-senior player, last year. He averaged 7.4 points, 2.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 steals, per game. Look for him to lead the charge as a junior. Class 2A - District 3 2016 winner: North Florida Educational (11-9, 5-1) issued some stingy defense to Jacksonville-Harvest Community en route to a 40-27 win for the district crown. The Eagles went on to advance to the State Semifinals, where they lost to Florida Prep by 28. Teams to watch: St. Augustine-Beacon of Hope, Daytona Beach-Halifax Other teams in district: Ormond Beach-Calvary Christian, Gainesville-Cornerstone, Gainesville-Countryside Christian, Jacksonville-Harvest Community, Jacksonville-Seacoast Christian, Jacksonville-Parsons Christian Predicted district champion: I'm going to go out on a limb and say Halifax, who went 19-8 and undefeated at home (7-0), will make a run at a the title. Their best scorer, now-senior LaShaun Wilder, averaged 19.7 a game, last year. They have a now-junior tandem in Terrell Franklin and Herbert Pinkney, who on-average combined for 23 points and 10 rebounds, last season. The Knights were handed an 18-point loss by Trinity Christian early in the district tourney, last February. I'm sure they'll remember, and play like they remember. CLASS 2A - District 4 2016 winner: The Tampa-Bayshore Christian Faith Warriors went 15-1 on their home floor en route to a 20-4 championship season. They bested Ocala-St. John Lutheran by 23 to take the crown. Teams to watch: Lecanto-Seven Rivers Christian, Ocala-St. John Lutheran, Tampa Adventist Other teams in district: Tampa-Citrus Park Christian, Valrico-Foundation Christian, Brooksville-Hernando Christian, Odessa-Keystone Prep, Clearwater-Lakeside Christian, Tampa Christian, Zephyrhills Christian Predicted district champion: Tampa Adventist went 11-8 last year, but I feel like this is where they turn the tide. They must have one of the most suffocating defenses in their district. Last year, Adventist averaged nearly 17 steals, per game—over 30 rebounds a game, as well. Their two best scorers Cristian Rosa & Kevin Palomino are now seniors. Two-thirds of their offense comes through them. If a third option can emerge, along with role players doing their deeds, look out for them. CLASS 2A - District 5 2016 winner: Ocoee-Central Florida Christian Academy lost five of their first 11 before going on an 18-game win streak & earning a district trophy. The Eagles narrowly beat Lake Wales-Vanguard by three in the championship game, but fell to Florida Prep in the Regional Final, 45-40. Teams to watch: Lake Wales-Vanguard, Winter Park-International Community Other teams in district: Orlando-Agape Christian, Lakeland-Victory Christian Predicted district champion: International Community has the setup to make a district run. With Vanguard losing six seniors, C.F.C.A. losing four, this is the Comets best shot to earn a district crown. They averaged 10 steals a game while going 14-11 last season. They've only lost two seniors, one of which was not too much of a factor. Now-senior Jarrett Conkling and junior Ryan Renschler combined for 27 points and 12 rebounds in 2016. They need role players to step up, and if they do, the Comets could soar. CLASS 2A - District 6 2016 winner: Melbourne-Florida Prep went 12-0 at home and earned a state championship berth after beating Merritt Island Christian by 63 for the district title. The Falcons fell to Miami Christian, 51-48 in the state finale. Teams to watch: Palm Bay-Covenant Christian, Merritt Island Christian Other teams in district: Stuart-Community Christian, Vero Beach-Master's Academy, Port St. Lucie-Morningside, Hobe Sound-Pine School, Ft. Pierce-St. Andrews Episcopal Predicted district champion: Hard to bet against a team that didn't drop any of their 15 district games, last season. Florida Prep is losing a bit of height, with 6'8” Ndiaga Diop & 6'10” Mbacke Diong now gone. Although, 6'11” Lahat Thioune should pick up the slack in his senior year. Add now-senior guards A.J. Johnson & Dejuan Small to the pot, and you may smell a repeat. CLASS 2A - District 7 2016 winner: Undefeated at home (12-0) and in district play (7-0) last year, Boca Raton-Grandview Prep only dropped four games during their season-long quest for a district championship. Teams to watch: West Palm Beach-Atlantic Christian, Hollywood Christian Other teams in district: Ave Maria-Donahue Academy, Boca Raton-Donna Klein Academy, Belle Glade-Glades Day, Hollywood-Sheridan Hills Christian Predicted district champion: Grandview Prep just seems like they won't fall too far from where they were a year ago. They win the games they are supposed to win. The lowest point total they had last year was 66. It's hard to stop this kind of offense. CLASS 2A - District 8 2016 winner: Miami Christian marched to a 30-2 record, last season—their only two losses came at a Christmas holiday tourney in Marietta, Georgia. Not only did they beat Westwood Christian by 20 in the title game, they rode that momentum all the way to Lakeland and captured the State Championship. Teams to watch: Miami-Northwest Christian, Miami-Westwood Christian Other teams in district: Miami-Brito, Homestead-Colonial Christian, Hialeah-Horeb Christian, Islamorada-Island Christian, Princeton Christian, Miami-Schoolhouse Prep Predicted district champion: Miami-Christian has four returning letterman and a top-guard in Neftali Alvarez who will be more-than-key to the success of the team. Many of the publications in that area have M.C. as the No. 1 team in the land. If anything, playing in the national tourneys such as "City of Palms" & "Montverde Tournament" will groom the team to be ready come playoff time. Look out for a deep, deep run by M.C. Predicted State Champion Miami Christian is still very much intact, four of their best players from last year's title team are back for another round. I find it very hard for them to drop their opportunity at repeating, this year. It's tough, especially because last year's state title game came down to three points vs. Florida Prep. There's no reason why it couldn't swing either way in 2018 if F.P. competes like how I envision. But if it comes down to these two squads, the M.C. strength of schedule leading up to the rematch may bode well for them--helping them withstand any blows, and deliver a repeat. Photo Credit: Sent by Juan Cardona, Statistics: Maxpreps.com