Class 7A 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. Here is an inside look at Class 7A and its 16 districts. This is part one which will break down the first eight districts. Previous class previews (6A - Part 2, 6A - Part 1, 5A - Part 2, 5A – Part 1, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A).

2016-17 state champion: Dillard 2016-17 runner-up: Edgewater

Class 7A-District 1 2016 winner: Pensacola edged Booker T. Washington in overtime to take the district crown. Both teams lost in the region quarterfinal by the same score (53-51) to Choctaw and Crestview respectively. Teams to watch: Booker T. Washington, Pensacola, Pace Other teams in the district: Escambia, Pine Forest, Milton Predicted district champion: Booker T. Washington –The race for the best team in the district was so close a year ago. I have to give the Wildcats the slight edge with 2018 forward Michael Randolph and 2018 guards Eric Goldsmith and Eric Milton. Pensacola will keep it tight with 2018 guards Dyquarius Redmond and Shawndarius Cowart. Class 7A-District 2 2016 winner: Crestview took down Choctaw to win the district title. However, it was Choctaw that beat the Bulldogs in the region semifinal. The Indians run ended in the region final against Vanguard. Teams to watch: Choctaw, Crestview Other teams in the district: Fort Walton Beach Predicted district champion: Choctaw – Choctaw may have lost 2019 guard Bobby Sanders Jr. to Crestview, but the Indians still have 2019 forward Diante Smith and 2019 guard Joshua Williams. Crestview is led by 2019 guard Marcus Purcell. The addition of Sanders Jr. is big for the Bulldogs and will make this rivalry even more interesting, however I see Choctaw pulling it out. Class 7A-District 3 2016 winner: Englewood handled St. Augustine by a 17-point margin to capture the district title last season. That was the Rams' first district championship in 17 years. Teams to watch: Englewood, St. Augustine, Nease Other teams in the district: Middleburg, White Predicted district champion: Englewood - The Rams graduated its second-leading scorer in Devonte Render, but they have more than enough firepower to make a run. 2018 starters Loro Natana, Jalen Stevens and Na'Italian Ealey all return for the young Englewood group. 2018 guard BJ Moore is back as the leader of St. Augustine. Class 7A-District 4 2016 winner: Ocala Vanguard needed overtime to beat Gainesville in the district championship. The Knights used that momentum to reach the state semifinal before losing to eventual champion Dillard. Teams to watch: Vanguard, Gainesville Other teams in the district: Columbia, Lake Forest, Lake Weir Predicted district champion: Gainesville - Gainesville has a deep underclassmen group with six seniors and five juniors led by 2018 guard Diamond Smith and 2019 guard J'Len Wilson. Vanguard won't go away easy with 2020 forward Leonard Manuel and 2018 guard Jalen Scott. This district can go either way but with the Hurricanes having so many older guys, it gives them a slight edge at this point. Class 7A-District 5 2016 winner: Deltona and Atlantic both lost to Edgewater in the regional round. Deltona won the district before falling to Edgewater in the region semifinal and Atlantic lost to Edgewater in the region quarterfinal. Teams to watch: Atlantic, Deltona, Father Lopez, New Smyrna Beach Other teams in the district: Seabreeze, Mainland, Pine Ridge Predicted district champion: Atlantic - Deltona lost 2019 forward Blake Hinson to transfer but still has his younger brother, Malik, a 2020 point guard and 2018 guard Jalen Monroe. Atlantic has 2019 big men Dewarren Bolden and Kevin Beans and 2020 guard Jordan Sears at the forefront. Father Lopez has senior center Colin Castleton, a Michigan commit while New Smyrna Beach has 2018 forward Nick Heard. Atlantic is the deepest team in this district. Class 7A-District 6 2016 winner: Edgewater won this district and advanced all the way to the state title before losing to Dillard. The Eagles are now in Class 8A. District-6 welcomes South Lake from District-13. Teams to watch: Auburndale, Lake Gibson Other teams in the district: Lake Region, South Lake Predicted district champion: Auburndale - The Bloodhounds performed well last season in this tough district. Even with senior guard Kenard King graduating, they have 2019 guard Shane Parker and 2020 forward Isaiah Turner. Lake Gibson should compete with 2018 guard Nick Jiles at the helm. 2019 guard Malcolm Reed is a player to watch for South Lake. Class 7A-District 7 2016 winner: Hillsborough beat Chamberlain in the district final and advanced to the region final before losing by only four to Edgewater. The Terriers graduated its top four scorers in seniors Bryce Moragne, Zach Carter, Dexter Stallworth and Tim Lawrence. Teams to watch: Armwood, Chamberlain, Hillsborough Other teams in the district: King, Brandon, Blake Predicted district champion: Armwood – Hillsborough is super young, Chamberlain hasn't proven it can close out the district while Armwood has a chance to make noise this year. The Hawks return a senior trio of Stephonse Mack, Ky'Llen Hymon and Shaahid Newsome. Class 7A-District 8 2016 winner: Mitchell edged Land O' Lakes in the district title game. The two programs were pretty even last season. Teams to watch: Land O' Lakes, Mitchell Other teams in the district: Springstead, Sunlake Predicted district champion: Land O' Lakes -  The Gators have a rising 2020 guard in Mekhi Perry that will lead the point. Mitchell should compete with 2018 guard JP Watt. However, the Mustangs lost Alec Sherman to transfer over to Ridgewood. A predicted state champion will be announced in Part 2 Photo credit: Sun Sentinel