Polk Hoops Preview and Watch List
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It’s that time again folks! The hoop scene is back for high school student-athletes and Prep Hoops will continue delivering reliable and consistent player coverage for our readers. As we head into the fall season, let’s look at some of…
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Continue ReadingIt’s that time again folks! The hoop scene is back for high school student-athletes and Prep Hoops will continue delivering reliable and consistent player coverage for our readers. As we head into the fall season, let’s look at some of the top teams in Polk County with players to watch!
TOP 5 Ranking
Winter Haven Blue Devils (1)
Head Coach: Tyrone Woodside
2022 Record: 27-5 | State Finals Appearance (7A)
Key Returners: Isaac Celiscar Isaac Celiscar 6'6" | SG Winter Haven | 2024 State #263 Nation FL (2024), Jamie Phillips Jamie Phillips 6'5" | CG Winter Haven | 2024 State FL (2024), Zay Mosley (2025)
Winter Haven has been one of the top teams in the county the past few years and enter the 2023 season ranked first on my ranking list. While losing some production, the Blue Devils return key Division I prospects who are eager to back into state champion contention. Excited to get eyes on the team this season as they try for consecutive district championships and stats title runs.
Victory Christian Storm (2)
Head Coach: Steve Fitzgerald
2022 Record: 24-6 (Playoffs – Regional Finals, 2A)
Key Returners: Lorezno Cason (2024), Mike Andino Mike Andino 6'0" | PG Victory Christian Academy | 2024 State FL (2024), Jordan Lanier Jordan Lanier 6'4" | PG Victory Christian | 2024 State FL (2024), Quentin Wilson (2028)
Victory jumped on the Polk radar last season while taking down some of the tough high schools in the area. The Storm are led by D1 FAU commit Lorenzo Cason Lorenzo Cason 6'2" | PG Victory Christian | 2024 State #75 Nation FL who is stamped as the Real Deal. VCA is primed to make a run for the 2A title and finally get over the OCP hump.
Jordan Christian Prep Seahawks (3)
Head Coach: Mike Guastella
2022 Record: 30-7 (FIHSAA State Champs/NACA Nat Champs & District SIAA Reg Division)
Key Returners: Diamant Blazi Diamant Blazi 6'8" | PF Jordan Christian | 2024 State FL (2024), Danillo Stankovic (2024), Babacar Diop Babacar Diop 6'6" | SG Jordan Christian Prep | 2024 FL (2024), William Reyes (2024)
JCP has moved over to the SIAA Regular Division this season and has a roster list of impressive prospects who are hungry for consecutive state championships. Having watched a few of their prospects compete live in the summer, they’ll be a problem if they can put it all together this season.
Santa Fe Hawks (4)
Head Coach: Mike Blicher (Playoffs – Quarterfinals
District – 3A-7)
2022 Record: 17-12
Key Returners: Tate Darner Tate Darner 6'0" | SG Santa Fe Catholic | 2025 State FL (2025), Antonio Wright (2024), Hudson Dykhuizen Hudson Dykhuizen 6'3" | PG Mckeel Academy Of Technology | 2024 State FL (2024), Malikai Broffitt Malikai Broffitt 6'4" | SG Kathleen | 2025 State FL (2025)
The Hawks under coach Blicher have steadily improved on both sides of the ball. He will have a few pieces to get it done this year with the main man Tate Darner Tate Darner 6'0" | SG Santa Fe Catholic | 2025 State FL leading the way. With a couple of new faces and reliable depth, interested to see how the season plays out for Santa Fe.
Bartow Yellow Jackets (5)
Head Coach: Terrence McGriff
2022 Record: 14-13
Key Returners: Jayson Williams (2024) Edward Wiggins Edward Wiggins 6'4" | SF Bartow | 2024 State FL (2024) Daniel Thompson Daniel Thompson 6'2" | PG Santa Fe Catholic | 2024 FL (2024) K.J Valentine (2024)
About time for Bartow to get back to its winning ways under one of the best to do it in Coach McGriff. A few pieces return for the Yellow Jackets to make noise and win their way to a district championship appearance.
Breakout Team Watchlist:
Lakeland Dreadnaughts
Head Coach: Henderson Taylor
2022 Record: 24-5
Key Returners: Derajah Hardy Derajah Hardy 6'0" | PG Lakeland | 2024 State FL (2024) Shanard Clower (2025) Tre Jackson (2025) Jayren Dennis (2024)
Those in the Polk area know that when the football season concludes the basketball roster will look a bit different. Coach Taylor has a few key returners and a big-time transfer for a run at consecutive district titles.
Lake Region Thunder
Head Coach: Shake Simmons
2022 Record: 21-5
Key Players: BJ McKinney (2024) D Lattimore (2024) D Booker (2024) C German (2024)
Lake Region had one of the best records in the county under Coach Simmons and will look to get back to and finish strong in the playoffs this season. The team should get some help with a couple of football players such as B.J McKinney who will join the roster and boost production output.
Davenport Broncos
Head Coach: Anthony Jones Anthony Jones 6'0" | CG Tampa Catholic | 2025 FL
2022 Record: 17-8
Key Players: Dwayne Williams (2024), A’maree Ellis (2026)
What a season from first-year head coach Anthony Jones Anthony Jones 6'0" | CG Tampa Catholic | 2025 FL who nearly led the Broncos to 20 wins. Lots of momentum and some young talent who I’ll need to get eyes on this fall season.
Mckeel Academy Wildcats
Head Coach: David O Callaghan
2022 Record: 15-12
Key Returners: Alex Sessoms Alex Sessoms 6'1" | PG McKeel | 2024 FL (2024), Axel Acevedo Axel Acevedo 6'6" | PF Mckeel Academy | 2025 State FL (2025), Vann Osmon (2024)
Looking forward to seeing what the elite duo of Sessoms and Acevedo can do together who both had a great off-season and saw a jump in their overall development. They start the season early on Monday against Lake Wales to get a feel of how the season will play out.
Sebring Blue Streaks
Head Coach: Princeton Harris
2022 Record: 15-8
Key Players: Dyveon Collymore (2024) KJ Turner KJ Turner 6'2" | PG Sebring H.S. | 2024 FL (2024) Sylvester Lewis (2024)
Respectful season for Sebring a year ago and coach Harris has a few Dogs returning with a chance to get into district title conversations.
Need to Rise:
Lake Wales Highlanders
Head Coach: Junior Geidi
2022 Record: 8-15
Key Returners: Sevastian Rosado (2024), Gabe Legrand (2026), Sebastian Perez (2025), Gary Love (2024)
It’s about time for Lake Wales to get back on the map. This is a tough basketball program that’s been down the last few years but is trying to find a way to get things back on the winning side.