Class 6A Season Preview (Part 2)

The second half of the 6A class is just as strong as the first. But, who has the capabilities to walk away state champs at the end? Take a look at Part 2 of the Class 6A Season Preview. 2016-17 State Champion: Leesburg 2016-17 Runner-Up: Cape Coral-Mariner 6A-District 9 2016 Winner: Tampa-Jesuit marched to a 22-5 record on the way to a district crown. The Tigers went undefeated in the district, eventually beating Riverview-Spoto by 20 in the championship game. Teams to watch: Spoto, Tampa-Robinson Other teams in district: Tampa-Jefferson, Tampa-Middleton Predicted district champion: All four double-digit scorers for Jesuit have left due to graduation, so this opens the door for Spoto to sneak in. Although Niles Bright is no longer present for the Spartans, 2019’s Josh Gloster will make an impact considering he averaged a double-double in points and rebounds, last year. Junior Eric Lee averaged 11 points, last season. This should be a team that has way more gel to it in 2017-18. 6A-District 10 2016 Winner: Sebring only dropped two of 14 games at home en route to a 21-5 record and a district championship win vs. Sarasota-Booker. It was a nail-biter, but Sebring managed a 56-54 win to take the ‘Chip. Teams to watch: Booker, Wauchula-Hardee Other teams in district: Arcadia-DeSoto County, Lake Wales Predicted district champion: Something tells me that despite their top-scorer C.J. Harris leaving due to graduation, Sebring will be alright when it comes to the district playoffs. The Blue Streaks shot through the bracket on the way the Regional Final where they fell by six to Cape Coral-Mariner. However, sophomore Eric Brown can prove to be a force if he can duplicate any part of last season, where he averaged nine points and 11 rebounds a game. Sebring was a top-30 team in the nation at rebounding last season, according to Maxpreps. Two of their top board-getters are gone, but they still have a chance to repeat. 6A-District 11 2016 Winner: St. Pete-Gibbs earned a 20-7 record on their pursuit of a district trophy. The Gladiators fought for a four-point win against St. Pete-Lakewood, avenging a five-point loss to them earlier in the year. Gibbs went 9-2 vs. teams in their district. Teams to watch: Lakewood, Bradenton-Bayshore Other teams in district: Dunedin, Bradenton-Southeast, Tarpon Springs Predicted district champion: Gibbs has lost their top-rebounder in Bailey Peterson, but the scoring tandem of Frank Gilliam (13 PPG) & David Pierce (23 PPG) is back and ready to go. They accounted for nearly half the team’s points, last year. Deonnte Brooks, who gave them six points, three assists and three steals a night in 2016, should grow to become another reason to look out for Gibbs, once again. 6A-District 12 2016 Winner: Lely went 15-13 during the season on the way to a district championship win vs. Mariner. They edged Mariner by five before losing to Lakewood in the Regional Quarterfinals by the same deficit. Teams to watch: Mariner Other teams in district: Immokalee, Fort Myers-Cypress Lake Predicted district champion: This district is really up for grabs, but I think Immokalee has the personnel to make a run to the ‘Chip. Their top three scorers from last year? Class of 2019. Hasahnn Reynolds, Izayel Louis Pierre, and Jodeci Chappa combined for 37 points, last year—around 60% of the team’s offense. The Indians may do some damage, this year. 6A-District 13 2016 Winner: Leesburg not only beat Poinciana by five to win a district championship, they beat EVERYONE after that to capture the state crown. Even after dropping the first three games of the season, they were unfazed. Teams to watch: Eustis, Orlando-Bishop Moore, Poinciana Other teams in district: Tavares Predicted district champion: Hard to bet against a state champion, much less a district champion. The pulse of their team is returning, along with now-junior Lance Erving who’s one explosive guy to watch. Don’t be surprised if you see a repeat as district champs. 6A-District 14 2016 Winner: Titusville started the season 13-0 and went undefeated at home en route to a 26-3 season and a district crown. In the district, they managed nine wins and just one loss. Teams to watch: Rockledge, Melbourne-Palm Bay Other teams in district: Cocoa-Space Coast, Satellite, Merritt Island Predicted district champion: Titusville still has a good nucleus, in-tact. I can see them making another trek towards the trophy, this year. They fell to Leesburg in the Regional Semifinals. They should definitely have that on their minds to start 2017, and push Titusville through the district tourney to get BACK to that point. 6A-District 15 2016 Winner: Riviera Beach-Suncoast beat Westwood by nearly 30 to claim the title, while going 21-6 on the year. The Chargers didn't drop one district game on the way to the win. Teams to watch: Fort Pierce-Lincoln Park Other teams in district: Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce-Westwood Predicted district champion: Suncoast proved last year that they can put away teams on their own floor, and in the gyms of others. They were undefeated on the road, 6-0. If they can duplicate that type of success, it could be another similar outcome for Suncoast in February. 6A-District 16 2016 Winner: A 22-8 Hallandale squad beat Archbishop McCarthy 93-92 in triple overtime to earn their district championship. The Chargers were another team who went undefeated in their district, 5-0, en route to the title. Teams to watch: Plantation-American Heritage, Ft. Lauderdale-Archbishop McCarthy Other teams in district: Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Ft. Lauderdale-Stranahan Predicted district champion: After reaching the Regional Final to only lose by five, Hallandale will definitely have a chip on their shoulder to get back to that point. I anticipate them fighting to get back to a district championship game and take it home. John Ferguson has the strength and power to lead the charge, no pun intended. Predicted State Champion: Something is telling me that Leesburg is poised for another run at the state crown. You know teams are going to come at them, the Yellow Jackets now have the target on their back. I ran into Lance recently, and he believes the team is even deeper this year, compared to last. Watch how this squad opens the gate, early. Photo: Lake County Schools Stats & Roster Info: Maxpreps.com