Class 3A 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. Here is an inside look at Class 3A and its eight districts. Previous class previews (2A, 1A).

2016-17 state champion: Orlando Christian Prep 2016-17 runner-up: Deltona Trinity Christian

Class 3A-District 1 2016 winner: Pensacola Christian squeaked past the Baby Rattlers in the district title. Florida A&M lost in the region semifinal to Trinity Christian while Pensacola Christian fell to St. Francis Catholic. Both teams competed all year long in District-1. Teams to watch: Pensacola Christian, Florida A&M, North Florida Christian Other teams in the district: St. John Paul II, Rocky Bayou Christian, Escambia Charter Predicted district champion: Pensacola Christian -The Warriors graduated leading scorer Alex Dickerman but 2019 guard Austin Lewis and fellow junior Cole Riegsecker are maturing quickly. Florida A&M won't go down without a fight as it features a solid 2018 trio of Chris Brown, Marquis Davis and Mehki Yent. 2020 North Florida Christian guard Victor Clark Jr. is a player we fully expect to have an all-around season. Class 3A-District 2 2016 winner: Trinity Christian topped St. Francis Catholic in a back and forth battle. The Eagles used that momentum to reach the state final before running into trouble against a very deep Orlando Christian Prep group. Teams to watch: St. Francis Catholic, Trinity Christian, Halifax Other teams in the district: Lake Mary Prep, St. Johns Country Day Predicted district champion: St. Francis Catholic -This was the hardest projections I've had to make. Choosing between St. Francis Catholic and Trinity Christian was a real flip of the coin. I gave the Wolves the slight edge simply because of how deep the group led by Nick Baskin. Plus, Trinity Christian lost star guard Amorie Archibald to graduation. 2019 forward Marlon Bradley will have to do everything for the Eagles this fall. This district could go either way. Class 3A-District 3 2016 winner: Orlando Christian Prep used a 27-4 overall record to power through 3A. Mount Dora Christian and Faith Christian hung around but it was all about the Warriors, a team that is fun to watch. Teams to watch: Orlando Christian Prep, Mount Dora Christian, Faith Christian Other teams in the district: Foundation, Legacy Charter, First Predicted district champion: Orlando Christian Prep -Mount Dora Christian is going to do its best to take down Orlando Christian Prep but the three-headed monster for the Warriors is too much. Nassir Little, C.J. Walker and Ronaldo Segu are as good as they come in terms of a "Big Three" in any class let alone 3A. 2019 Mount Dora Christian guard Taylor Trudeau is going to have a nice season. Class 3A-District 4 2016 winner: St. Petersburg Canterbury squeaked out a one-point win over All Saints in the district title game. Carrollwood Day left the district to move up to Class 4A. Teams to watch: Canterbury, All Saints, Bishop McLaughlin Other teams in the district: Universal, Keswick Christian, Academy at the Lakes Predicted district champion: Canterbury -I fully expect the Crusaders to win this district, All Saints and Bishop McLaughlin lost a few key pieces. 2020 guard Rivers Lenholt is on the rise and three 2018 starters Nathan Levi, Zion Channer and Will Bond are as solid as they come. Class 3A-District 5 2016 winner: Sarasota Christian topped Out-of-Door in the district title game. Community Christian replaces the Gulf Coast Heat in the district. Teams to watch: Sarasota Christian, Bradenton Christian, Out-of-Door Other teams in the district: Saint Stephen's Episcopal, The Imagine Schools North Port, Community Christian Predicted district champion: Bradenton Christian -Sarasota Christian (graduated five seniors) and Out-of-Door (graduated four seniors) will look awfully different this season. With that being said, I have a hunch that Bradenton Christian will be able to turn things around behind seven 2018 prospects. Players to watch in this district are Cade Westberry (Saint Stephen's), Jordan Litwiller (Sarasota Christian) and Chase Maasdorp (Out-of-Door). Class 3A-District 6 2016 winner: Southwest Florida Christian handled First Baptist in the district final. The Kings went all the way to the state semifinal before losing to eventual champion Orlando Christian Prep. Teams to watch: Fort Myers Canterbury, First Baptist, Southwest Florida Christian, Moore Haven Other teams in the district: Evangelical Christian, Seacrest Country Day, Everglades City, Marco Island Predicted district champion: Canterbury -The Cougars may have faltered in the district playoffs, but they have one of the top athletes in the area in 2018 guard Berrick Jeanlouis. He has help from 2018 forward Edward Zurita and 2019 sharpshooter Bryson Royal. Southwest Florida Christian has Caleb Catto for one more year along with 2020 forward Cayden Baker, but losing Jadrian Tracey and Jacob Tracey to Riverdale will be costly. Class 3A-District 7 2016 winner: A loaded senior Village unit took down Berean Christian in the district championship. The Tigers beat Coral Springs Christian in the region semifinal before losing to Champagnat Catholic in the region final the following week. Teams to watch: Jupiter Christian, Highlands Christian, Village, Berean Christian Other teams in the district: Lake Worth Christian, Lake Worth Trinity Christian, Boca Raton Christian, St. Edwards Predicted district champion: Jupiter Christian -The Eagles have two impressive 2018 starters in Dion Fernander and Clay Fitzmorris. Village's top five scorers from a year ago all graduated. Highlands Christian graduated three of its top four scorers but returns 2018 guard Matt Veynovich. Class 3A-District 8 2016 winner: Champagnat Catholic defeated Coral Springs Christian in the district final. The Lions advanced all the way to the state semifinal before losing by only nine points to Trinity Christian. Teams to watch: Champagnat Catholic, Coral Springs Christian, Somerset Prep, Hebrew Academy, International School of Broward Other teams in the district: David Posnack Jewish Day, Greater Miami Academy, Divine Savior Academy, Dade Christian Predicted district champion: Champagnat Catholic -  The Lions graduated five seniors but return 2018 guards Stephon Johnson and Roger Ramos and 2018 forwards Brian Tejeda and Esteban Bermudez. 2019 big man Michael Cartwright is an offensive tackle for the football team and he comes over to play center again this season. A player to watch in the district is 2018 Hebrew guard Jack Esformes. Predicted state champion: Orlando Christian Prep -Orlando Christian Prep is deep, athletic and gifted all over the roster. Little is a power inside, Segu has pure leadership and handles at the point and Walker is a slasher who is developing a jump shot. The Warriors are going to be almost impossible to upend in 3A ball. Photo credit: Orlando Sentinel