Season Preview: Class 3A State Title Favorites
Florida High School Basketball practices officially got underway last week. Two months ago, Prep Hoops Florida took a deep dive into the way-too-early preseason rankings. Now we can provide more accurate in-depth analysis for teams to watch for this upcoming…
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Continue ReadingFlorida High School Basketball practices officially got underway last week. Two months ago, Prep Hoops Florida took a deep dive into the way-too-early preseason rankings. Now we can provide more accurate in-depth analysis for teams to watch for this upcoming season. Here are some of the state title favorites in Class 3A for this season:
The reigning Class 3A Champions were the Riviera Prep Bulldogs who put on a defensive clinic in their 51-27 win over Windermere Prep at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Riviera Prep: The Bulldogs have continue to reload and have a bright future that features a dynamic backcourt in 6-1 sophomore guard Mason Fuentes and freshman sharpshooter Myles Fuentes Myles Fuentes 6'1" | CG Riviera Prep | 2027 FL . Also 6-4 junior forward Dante Allen remains in the fold as he makes a lot of noise out on the wing where he was the team’s leading scorer last season. Also keep an eye on 7-0 junior center Gustavo Guimaraes who is a double-double machine with good hands and adds solid rim protection at both ends of the floor.
Westminster Academy: The Lions have re-tooled their offense where they return their trio featuring 6-6 junior wing Dwayne Wimbley, 6-4 junior combo guard Alex Lloyd and 6-8 sophomore wing Alex Constanza. Another name to keep an eye on this season will be 6-5 senior guard Jeremiah Police who can make plays around the rim as well as continue to build consistency in his mid-range shot.
Providence: Despite losing 6-7 senior wing Jaylen Robinson to transferring to DME Academy, the Stallions will shift their focus on the dynamic backcourt featuring 6-6 senior guard Chris Arias and 6-0 senior combo guard Brady Patterson. Another name to keep an eye on this season will be 6-0 senior combo guard and sharpshooter Caleb McAbee.
Windermere Prep: After coming up just short last season of their first state title since 2016, the Lakers return four starters including 6-5 sophomore combo guard Brandon Bass Jr. They also added 6-2 junior point guard Samuel Shoptaw as well as 6-5 junior combo guard Malachi Martis and 6-6 sophomore two-way combo guard Ian Parham. The Lakers could make another deep playoff run this upcoming season.
Berkeley Prep: The Buccaneers are coming off a 22-4 season last year and are looking to revenge from last season’s regional quarterfinal upset to Brooks-DeBartolo. The Buccaneers return 6-1 freshman guard Gabe Grimsley who made some significant strides as an eighth grader. Another name to keep an eye on this season will be 6-7 freshman power forward Jadus Sorhaindo who has huge upside to becoming one of the top players in the state for his class. They also retain a key playmaker in 6-5 senior wing Donnie Morris. Don’t be surprised if Berkeley Prep makes a deep playoff run this season despite having a youth movement in their backcourt.
Episcopal School of Jacksonville: The Eagles are coming off a 21-7 season last year and are looking to get back into the regional playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Eagles are led by 6-7 senior wing Grady Schwartz and 6-2 senior combo guard Kent Jackson who is one of the top sharpshooters in the state. Also keep an eye on 5-11 junior point guard Will Moore who gives his teammates a boost off the bench where he can score across all three levels.