Class 9A Season Preview (Part 2)

Preseason classics are underway 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 9A and its 16 districts. This is part two which will break down the final eight districts. Previous class previews (9A Part 1, 8A Part 2, 8A Part 1, 7A Part 2, 7A Part 1, 6A - Part 2, 6A - Part 1, 5A - Part 2, 5A – Part 1, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A).

2016-17 state champion: Osceola 2016-17 runner-up: Wekiva

Class 9A-District 9 2016 winner: Wellington beat Leonard in the district title game and flew all the way into the state semifinal before losing 52-50 to Osceola. Teams to watch:  Wellington, John I. Leonard, Palm Beach Gardens Other teams in the district: Jupiter, Palm Beach Central, Seminole Ridge Predicted district champion: Wellington – Trent Frazier graduated and is now at Illinois. Wellington still has a really fun 2018 guard to watch in Bryan Williams. He'll lead the Wolverines this season. There is another Frazier at Wellington in 2020 guard Leonty Frazier, Trent's younger brother. Class 9A-District 10 2016 winner: Lake Worth beat Atlantic to take the district crown. The Trojans then lost in the region semifinal to Wellington. Teams to watch: Boca Raton, Atlantic, Lake Worth Other teams in the district: Park Vista, Santaluces, Spanish River Predicted district champion: Boca Raton – The Bobcats may have issues at head coach with Max Spinner being suspended for three weeks after the FHSAA found out that he ran an illegal off-season practice. However, Boca Raton returns their top three pieces in 2018 guard Cade Long, 2019 guard Maxime Demeus and 2018 forward Ben Woody. 2019 Lake Worth guard Avery Books is a guy to keep an eye on. Class 9A-District 11 2016 winner: Coral Springs beat Deerfield Beach by one point, 61-60 to capture the district. The Colts proceeded to advance to the region final before losing to Wellington. Teams to watch: Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Stoneman Douglas, Coral Glades Other teams in the district: Taravella, Monarch Predicted district champion: Coral Springs - The Colts have been a mainstay in the playoffs as of late. They have an emerging prospect in 2019 guard Jelani Heard, who had 19 points in the region final against Wellington. 2018 guard Wilvens Fleurizard will be leaned on a lot as well. Other players to watch in the district: 2018 Coral Glades G Jake Hershkowitz, 2018 Deerfield Beach guard Corey Carpenter and 2018 Deerfield Beach guard Hansley Senatus. Class 9A-District 12 2016 winner: Cypress Bay beat Piper 39-36 to win the district, but both teams lost in their respective region quarterfinal matchups. Teams to watch: Piper, Cypress Bay, Western Other teams in the district: South Plantation Predicted district champion: Cypress Bay - 2020 guards Brandon Garcia and Isaiah Quinteros join 2019 guard Tyler Krivitzkin in the Lightning's efforts to repeat. Piper won't go down easy with 2018 starters Chris Eluett and Mykayle Carter at the helm. Class 9A-District 13 2016 winner: Miramar beat Pembroke Pines in the district final. Teams to watch: Pembroke Pines, Miramar, West Broward Other teams in the district: Flanagan Predicted district champion: Miramar - The Patriots bring back a pair of 2018 starters that both averaged 10 plus points a year ago. Forwards Jamir Moore and Damian Miller are going to help the cause again for Miramar. Class 9A-District 14 2016 winner: American bested North Miami to win the district. However, it was North Miami that reached the region final before losing to South Miami while American lost in the region quarterfinal to Pembroke Pines Charter. Teams to watch: North Miami, American, Miami, Hialeah Other teams in the district: Dr. Krop, Hialeah Gardens, Miami Beach Predicted district champion: North Miami - North Miami will be determined as ever to win the district title after slipping up last season. 2019 guard Richard Charles is back as the leading scorer while a trio of 2018 starters Donte Innocent, Jonas Guillaume and Reynald Laurent are back in the fold. 2018 American guard Jon Vilchez is another player to watch. Class 9A-District 15 2016 winner: South Miami won the district crown behind senior guard Zack Dawson. The Cobras appeared in its third state semifinal in four years before losing to Wekiva in Lakeland. Teams to watch: South Miami, Coral Gables, Ferguson Other teams in the district: Columbus, Southwest, Braddock, Coral Park Predicted district champion: South Miami – Nearly everyone from the state semifinal group graduated, but South Miami is still a major program. 2018 guard Wood Cerphy returns as a key senior. Class 9A-District 16 2016 winner: Palmetto took the district over Killian. Palmetto lost in the region semifinal against South Miami. Teams to watch: Southridge, Palmetto, Coral Reef, Killian Other teams in the district: Homestead, Varela, South Dade Predicted district champion: Palmetto -  It is hard to see Palmetto losing this district. The Panthers have a lethal trio in 2019 guard Jordan Hamburger, 2019 forward Josmel Martinez and 2018 guard Danilo Castellano. Other players to watch closely are 2018 Killian starters Jomar Mondestin and Elton Walker. Predicted state champion -Osceola to me is the most seasoned group. Payne, Marte and Palermo are very good together. They played all summer long with Team CP25. It will be tough to slow down the Kowboys in 9A. Oak Ridge, Wekiva, Palmetto and Miramar will throw their names in the hat as well. Photo credit: Orlando Sentinel