Players To Watch By Class: 5A (Districts 1-8)

The FHSAA boys basketball season is just around the corner. The regular season tips off on Nov. 23. We will be looking at the top players to watch in all seven classes. Here is a peek at the top prospects to keep an eye on in Class 5A (Districts 1-8). ICYMI <pre><a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-7a-districts-1-8/">Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 1-8)</a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-7a-districts-9-16/">Players To Watch By Class: 7A (Districts 9-16)</a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-6a-districts-1-8/">Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 1-8)</a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2020/11/players-to-watch-by-class-6a-districts-9-16/">Players To Watch By Class: 6A (Districts 9-16)</a> </pre> <h2 style="text-align: center;">2019-20 state champion: Rickards</h2> Region 1 - District 1 [player_tooltip player_id="714880" first="Jamil" last="Bowles"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953427" first="Ezra" last="McKenna"] (Choctaw) Choctaw is one of the deepest teams in the panhandle. The mix of size and athleticism is in place. Bowles, a 2021 6-5 guard is a talented and bursty finisher. He is filling out his long body and has the chance to have a major season campaign. Alongside him is McKenna, a 2021 6-7 forward who committed to Air Force earlier this month. He is a gifted shooter and a rangy versatile piece on both ends of the floor. Another player to watch is 2022 6-9 forward [player_tooltip player_id="829404" first="Brian" last="Grant"] who is a bonafide big and a guy who simply moves people around down low. [player_tooltip player_id="956775" first="Kobe" last="Lovelace"] (Escambia) Lovelace is a quick twitch guard who commands an offense with his lead by example attitude. The 2022 6-2 guard is a top prospect out of Pensacola and he is going to continue to thrive this season at Escambia. His jumper is smooth and his high IQ game helps everyone around him. Other names to know: 2022 G Marlon Jarvis (Pensacola Booker T. Washington), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="956778" first="Mason" last="McManus"] (Pensacola Booker T. Washington), 2021 F Eldrick Robinson (Pensacola Booker T. Washington), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="957002" first="Jaden" last="Newell"] (Choctaw), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="953429" first="Amarion" last="Pettis"] (Choctaw), 2021 F Javaris Young (Choctaw), 2021 F Marcus White (Escambia), 2022 F [player_tooltip player_id="956816" first="Kion" last="Hayes"] (Fort Walton Beach), 2022 F Carson Hepworth (Gulf Breeze) and [player_tooltip player_id="814924" first="Omarayon" last="Turner"] (Pine Forest). Region 1 - District 2 [player_tooltip player_id="953095" first="Khamari" last="McGriff"] & [player_tooltip player_id="829508" first="Kent" last="Carroll"] (Rickards) Fresh off a state title, Rickards still has pieces in place. McGriff is a 2021 6-8 forward who committed to UNC Wilmington on Monday. He flashed his true potential a year ago as a shot blocker and mid-range finisher. McGriff is a lengthy athlete who should have every opportunity to produce at a high level this season. Carroll, a 2022 6-4 guard will be a nice compliment next to him with his shooting ability and handle. Christian McCarter (Mosley) An efficient attacker and lead guard, McCarter is going to be the key piece to the cause at Mosley. The 2021 guard had bright moments as a junior and will now look to take the next step at an always sound program near Panama City. Other names to know: 2022 G Jordan White (Arnold), 2022 F Alex Steen (Arnold), 2023 F Randy Pittman (Mosley), 2021 F Jake Piorkowski (Mosley) and 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818831" first="Desmond" last="Greene"] (Wakulla). Region 1 - District 3 [player_tooltip player_id="714771" first="Alex" last="Fudge"] (Lee) Lee fell short of a state final four bid, losing to eventual champion Rickards. The group is in place to make a deep run with 2021 6-8 forward [player_tooltip player_id="714771" first="Alex" last="Fudge"] (LSU commit), who averaged 16.0 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 3.0 BPG as a junior. He is a ballhandling wing who is a special talent on both ends of the floor. Joining him from Bayshore Christian is 2021 6-1 guard [player_tooltip player_id="714983" first="Tarence" last="Guinyard"], a sharpshooter and a shifty ballhandler. 2021 5-8 guard [player_tooltip player_id="953496" first="Teron" last="Haywood"] is a really good finisher and transition pusher who is back and going to be asked to do a lot. 2021 6-1 guard [player_tooltip player_id="953515" first="Jarrion" last="Smith"] is another consistent scorer who should have a prominent role again. [player_tooltip player_id="956785" first="Josiah" last="Sabino"] (Orange Park) Sabino is a riser and a prospect to keep a close eye on in the Jacksonville area. He is a 2022 6-4 guard who simply gets it done with his jumper and ability to slash and finish. Sabino is active and full of energy. You always know he is on the floor. He holds an offer from Jacksonville as of now. [player_tooltip player_id="953471" first="Donovan" last="Morgan"] (Westside) Westside has a steady piece in Morgan. The 2021 6-3 has some serious wheels. He is a gifted outside shooter (42 percent from deep in 2019-20). Morgan can get in the paint and score in bunches. Look for him to have a nice senior season. [player_tooltip player_id="953431" first="Lokose" last="Natana"] & Chris Victor (Parker) There is a 2021 duo in place at Parker once again this season in Natana and Victor. Natana, a 6-1 guard averaged 13.5 PPG and can score in a variety of ways inside and out. Victor is a 6-3 athlete who is fresh off a football season and should be in tip-top shape. Other names to know: 2021 G Cory Wyatt (Middleburg), 2023 F Na'jai Moody (Lee), 2021 G Dontae Beaufort (Lee), 2021 F D'marre Craddock (Orange Park), 2021 G Landon Hawkins (Ridgeview) and 2021 G Ro Vemuri (Ridgeview). Region 1 - District 4 [player_tooltip player_id="714947" first="Jaylen" last="Cheeks"] & [player_tooltip player_id="953487" first="Joseph" last="Brake"] (Pine Ridge) Pine Ridge has a reliable 2021 pairing in Cheeks and Brake. Cheeks, a 6-3 forward averaged 12.9 PPG and 6.4 RPG which featured a 25-point outing against New Smyrna Beach. As for Brake, the 6-2 guard is a talented jump shooter who averaged just shy of 10.0 PPG as a junior. There should be plenty of scoring from these two prospects. [player_tooltip player_id="956793" first="Luke" last="Pirris"] & Alex Madson (Ponte Vedra) There always seem to be playmakers in place at Ponte Vedra. Pirris, a 2022 6-4 forward averaged 12.4 PPG a season ago and made his living inside the circle scoring in a variety of ways. Madson, a 2021 5-11 guard did more of the same as a finisher at the cup averaging close to 10.0 PPG. [player_tooltip player_id="953472" first="Brakhel" last="Burch"] (St. Augustine) St. Augustine has a crafty playmaker in Burch. The 2021 5-10 guard averaged nearly 12.0 PPG last season and is in line for yet another solid campaign as the backcourt leader for this group. Other names to know: 2022 F Tyler Smith (Flagler Palm Coast), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="956825" first="Jermaine" last="Rouse"] (Deltona), 2021 G Elijah Jones (Deltona), 2022 G Elijah Zuniga (Pine Ridge), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962515" first="Nathan" last="Bunkosky"] (Ponte Vedra), 2021 F Harold Mckay (Seabreeze), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="956823" first="Bradley" last="Persson"] (St. Augustine), 2021 G Dequon Stanley (St. Augustine) and 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="1065480" first="Trevon" last="Dirden"] (St. Augustine). Region 2 - District 5 [player_tooltip player_id="812626" first="Camerin" last="James"] (Leesburg) Leesburg earned a big transfer in the form of James. The 2023 6-5 guard/forward is a special talent who can flat out work it as a ballhandler and get to the rim with his pure athleticism and skillset. James will have the reigns at the always competitive program and he should flourish. [player_tooltip player_id="953508" first="Aaron" last="James"] (Ocala Vanguard) James is a jack of all trades for Ocala Vanguard. The 2021 5-9 guard is speedy, determined and can hurt you as a shooter and finisher. He has offers out from NAIA and Division III programs including Dean College, Southwest and Minnesota West College. Another prospect to keep an eye on here is 2022 6-6 forward Tristan Unold. He is a locked-in shooter and towering defensive presence. Other names to know: 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962416" first="Cori" last="Johnson"] (Belleview), 2021 G Malcolm Marbury (Belleview), 2021 G RJ Vanepps (Belleview), 2022 G Jaquan Harris (Jones), 2021 G Colson Lundy (Jones), 2021 F Shelton Taylor (Jones), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="1069192" first="Julian" last="Cheese"] (Lake Minneola), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068769" first="Micah" last="Thomas"] (Lake Minneola), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962589" first="Dylan" last="Diaz"] (Lake Minneola), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962450" first="Jayvyn" last="Thomas"] (Lake Minneola), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="953723" first="Tyrone" last="Smith"] (Lake Weir), 2021 F Kenneth Pea (Lake Weir), 2021 F DJ Smith (Lecanto), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="955613" first="Andre" last="Carter"] (Leesburg) and 2022 F Charles Hill (Leesburg). Region 2 - District 6 [player_tooltip player_id="818833" first="Eric" last="Howard"] & Deondre St. Clair (Fivay) Fivay had a nice season a year ago and its top two players are back at the forefront in Howard and St. Clair. Howard is a 2021 6-0 guard who can distribute the rock, get inside and finish with lay-ins and high rising dunks. Alongside him as a true equal option is St. Clair, who had a 30-point outing against River Ridge last season. The 2022 6-0 guard is a very consistent bucket getter. [player_tooltip player_id="818685" first="Unique" last="Torain"] & [player_tooltip player_id="829473" first="Saquan" last="Carswell"] (Springstead) There is a chance for Springstead to make a deep run with one of the best players in the Tampa Bay/Spring Hill area. Torain, a 2021 6-4 forward averaged nearly 20.0 PPG a year ago and will continue to be tasked to do plenty on the offensive end for this group. He is fast, long and very athletic. He is hard to slow down. Carswell, a 2022 6-0 guard plays his role well as a hard-nosed rebounder and inside slasher. [player_tooltip player_id="956802" first="Jeremiah" last="Cribbs"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1068753" first="Nate" last="Santana"] (Land O' Lakes) Land O' Lakes graduated its top two guards, but there are still good players in the fold here. Cribbs is a 2022 6-2 guard/forward who will be a grinder and inside scorer and rebounder. Santana, a 2021 5-10 guard is one of the shiftiest ballhandlers you'll see at the high school level. Other names to know: 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818925" first="Erik" last="Scott"] (Fivay), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818926" first="Scavorriss" last="Millner"] (Fivay), 2022 G Trent Pridemore (Gulf), 2021 F Kobe Dillon (Land O' Lakes), 2021 G Jovanny Bates (Pasco), 2022 G Danny De Sierra' (River Ridge), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="955813" first="Jaquan" last="Carswell"] (Springstead), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962441" first="Divine" last="Torain"] (Springstead) and 2021 G Gavyn Dorsey (Zephyrhills). Region 2 - District 7 [player_tooltip player_id="818743" first="Diego" last="Platas-Ivan"] (Auburndale) A high IQ forward, Platas-Ivan can score at all levels on the floor. His seasoned ballhandling and ability to block shots defensively make him a bonafide two-way player. The 2021 6-7 forward transferred from George Jenkins to Auburndale and committed to Division II Lincoln Memorial earlier in the summer. [player_tooltip player_id="956780" first="Kaden" last="Bryan"] & Myron Refoure (Hardee) Hardee has a lot of scoring threats in place and Bryan and Refoure are two of the best. Bryan, a 2022 5-10 guard averaged nearly 14.0 PPG and was a nightly threat to shoot at a high clip. Refoure, a 2021 6-0 guard was equally as steady averaging around 14.0 PPG and making his money in the paint as a lay-in artist. [player_tooltip player_id="1062417" first="Donald" last="Gatlin"] (Lake Wales) One of the fastest pure point men is Gatlin. The 2022 5-7 guard is undersized but he doesn't care because he will blast past you and he is a gifted shooter as well. For a Lake Wales team looking for a turnaround season, Gatlin will have plenty of chances to post big numbers. Other names to know: 2021 G Milton Smith (Auburndale), 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="962548" first="Jerrod" last="Johnso"]n (Auburndale), 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="1060163" first="Kervin" last="Knaggs"] (Auburndale), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="818865" first="Parker" last="Sasser"] (Hardee), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="956813" first="Ke'Varrius" last="White"] (Hardee), 2022 G [player_tooltip player_id="956828" first="Isreal" last="Ricketts"] (Lake Gibson), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818760" first="Don" last="Skipper"] (Lake Region), 2021 F Auther Haugabrook (Lake Region), 2023 G Jaden Excell (Lake Wales), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="1068730" first="Ryan" last="Brown"] (Sebring) and 2021 F Will Desources (Sebring). Region 2 - District 8 [player_tooltip player_id="953417" first="Davion" last="Sistrunk"] (Eau Gallie) Eau Gallie is a very athletic bunch over in Melbourne. Sistrunk, a 2021 6-3 guard is fresh off of a season where he averaged 18.0 PPG and had only three games below 10 points. Doubling as a football player, he is in impressive shape and his jumper is poised. Expect a really good year from Sistrunk. [player_tooltip player_id="955599" first="Jamar" last="Franklin"] (Rockledge) Franklin returns as the leading scorer of this young Rockledge squad. The 2022 6-1 guard averaged 17.7 PPG and had just two games under double digits. He also shot 40 percent from deep and was a playmaker when his team needed a bucket. Franklin is a very good athlete. [player_tooltip player_id="818898" first="Menelik" last="Garrick"] (Bayside) Headed to Division III Utica College next fall, Garrick is building up his stock and has improved two-fold since the end of last season. The 2021 6-6 forward is a key cog for Bayside and will have every opportunity to succeed as a senior. Other names to know: 2021 G Logan Brabham (Bayside), 2021 G [player_tooltip player_id="818847" first="Chase" last="Smith"] (Bayside), 2022 G Eias Taleb (Bayside), 2021 G Buay Toang (Eau Gallie), 2021 F Elby Tieku (Gateway), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="1069204" first="Zak" last="Irvin"] (Heritage), 2022 G Jaiden Pritchard (Heritage), 2021 F [player_tooltip player_id="1069196" first="Hebreux" last="Aime"] (Heritage), 2022 G Elijah Naidas (Palm Bay), 2022 G Malic Osei-Tutu (Palm Bay)