When It Matters Most: District Champions Crowned 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew JacksonHS (25–1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standard Bearers With Eyes on a Deep Run</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three straight seasons as one of Florida's premier programs, and this might be Andrew Jackson's most complete group yet. The Gateway Conference and 3A District 4 champions navigated one of the toughest schedules in the state, stacking wins over Episcopal (21–7), Nease (18–6), Fleming Island (17–8), Impact Christian (21–4), Leon (18–7), The Rock National (17–6), and Mainland (21–2). Their lone loss came by just two points to Impact Christian, and since then, they've only tightened the screws. Loaded with college-level talent and multiple players already off the board, AndrewJackson looks built for a serious postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College Commitments / Offers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Langston Hackworth — Presbyterian<br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Terrell Mosely II — UFTL<br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Justin Jackson — Dean College<br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1633120' first='Javion' last='Davis'] — FSCJ<br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2522723' first='King' last='Sanders'] — FSCJ<br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Howell (22–5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Balance, Pace, and a Team Finding Its Peak</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Howell enters postseason play as one of Central Florida's more consistent groups. Ranked Top 20 statewide, the Silverhawks surged through a strong midseason stretch, winning 11 of 13 games while playing with pace and confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore guard Johnas Maurice has been the engine, leading the team in scoring (17.4 PPG), assists, and steals, while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2522725' first='Isaac' last='Buckley'] anchors the interior with rebounding and physicality. Add rim protection from Jaydon A. Samuels, and this is a group that can score in bunches while still defending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edgewater (17–9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trending Up at the Right Time</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edgewater closes the regular season with momentum, responding well after a pair of close losses and finishing as District Champions. The pieces are there, and the confidence is building.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 guard Dylan Foster continues to trend upward as a breakout name, while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2415592' first='Jacari' last='Lofton'] provides athleticism and presence on both ends. Add versatile 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2396983' first='Julian' last='Fox'], and Edgewater enters postseason play with balance and upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bartow (22–5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Same Standard, New Faces</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season feels familiar in Bartow — not because the roster stayed the same, but because the standard never dropped. Despite offseason turnover, the Yellow Jackets reloaded and claimed another District Championship, once again sitting atop Polk County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future is already on display, led by elite 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2804162' first='Derwyn' last='Link'], with 2026 guard Ja'kylen Crossley providing scoring punch and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2527379' first='James' last='Ratteree'] flashing poise beyond his years. Veterans like Matthew Williams and the steady rise of Syrus Sinfort round out a group capable of making noise late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mater Lakes (17–9)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Star Power That Changes the Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few duos in the state can match the production of 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2804109' first='Tai' last='Bell'] (33.0 PPG) and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2294516' first='Khanye' last='Moss'] (26.1 PPG). Together, they carried Mater Lakes through a bounce-back season and into District Championship territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group played with purpose all year, silencing doubts and leaning into its identity. With postseason pressure coming, Mater Lakes' ability to ride its stars while getting timely help will be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jesuit (21–6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experience Meets the Next Wave</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesuit once again delivered a strong, steady season built on guard play, discipline, and depth. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1633136' first='Tyler' last='Caouette'] and Damien Ross set the tone — one with shooting and size, the other with defense and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Behind them, a talented group of underclassmen — Mike McLendon, Junior Arroyo, Zach Larsen, and Deandre Taylor — gives this roster both stability now and upside moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tampa Catholic (20–8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Familiar Program Back on Top</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Catholic closed the regular season with a statement win to secure the District Championship, reaffirming its place as a consistent force in the Tampa area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 guard Neomar “Neo” Flores continues to rise as one of the more underappreciated young guards in the state, while a promising core featuring [player_tooltip player_id='2125507' first='Skoot' last='Donald'], KJ Morgan, and [player_tooltip player_id='2868784' first='Sohan' last='Alla'] gives the Crusaders a strong foundation heading into postseason and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wiregrass Ranch (18–8)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consistency, History, and Another Banner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiregrass Ranch captured its fourth straight District Championship, closing the regular season at 18–8 with poise and purpose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2826597' first='Ajayden' last='Jenkins'] had a historic year, averaging 24.1 PPG while becoming the youngest player in school history to reach 1,000 career points. His ability to score, defend, and control momentum has driven the Rams' success. Alongside him, Scott Simmons has been the steady backbone — a tough, efficient guard whose impact extends far beyond the stat sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hilliard (17–5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Built on Momentum, Powered by a Young Star</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilliard claimed its fourth straight District Championship, pushing its win streak to 10 and closing the regular season strong. The catalyst? 2028 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2242995' first='King' last='McMillian'], who dominated the district tournament with 27.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 SPG, and multiple statement performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McMillian's production and leadership have turned heads statewide, and Hilliard enters postseason play confident, connected, and dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->