Early Preview: Broward County Contenders
November 1st is scheduled as the start of boys basketball season in Florida. That is followed by preseason tournaments from Nov. 15th – 20th. Two days later is the official start of the regular season. That means we are essentially…
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Continue ReadingNovember 1st is scheduled as the start of boys basketball season in Florida. That is followed by preseason tournaments from Nov. 15th – 20th. Two days later is the official start of the regular season.
That means we are essentially two months away from action. It will come very quickly as we know.
Who are contenders this season in Broward County? Please click here for my piece on Palm Beach County.
I would like to add I will be going into more detail on some of these teams in the future. So don’t fret if I left a school out.
Let’s look into it.
Calvary Christian Academy: (Last season: 17-7/3A state champions)
Call them the Alabama football of South Florida right now. Calvary Christian returns numerous D-1 recruits off a team that won a state championship. A majority of their losses a season ago were to teams nationally ranked. You have to believe playing that competition will help them this season. Overall, I believe a goal for this team is to get to GEICO Nationals. I think 2023 Carl Cherenfant Carl Cherenfant 6'4" | CG Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian | 2023 State #68 Nation FL is a big difference this fall. The 6-foot-5 guard had a great postseason and a fantastic summer tour on the circuit. I think he’s a much better playmaker and even more athletic than what he showed as a sophomore. Call Cherenfant having good momentum. Have you see his offers from his play?
Westminster Academy: (Last season: 9-9)
Westminster Academy went a disappointing 9-9 last season. I understand issues with Covid-19 probably disrupted their rhythm, as with many other teams. The bottom line is they are too talented to let that happen again. We are talking about a program that won three state championships from 2017-2019. I’d bet on Westminster Academy returning more to that form. You got an inside-out force with 2023 Jaylen Carey Jaylen Carey 6'8" | PF Westminster Academy | 2023 State #129 Nation FL . I don’t see a lot of kids stopping him play after play with his size in the paint. He will wear you down with his frame like a fourth quarter running back. The difference is he’s around 6-foot-10! 2022 Aidan Abell Aidan Abell 6'6" | SG Westminster Academy | 2022 State FL is a lethal shooter and 2022 Rickey Ballard Rickey Ballard 6'6" | CG Westminster | 2022 State FL is a mismatch with his athleticism on the wing. A possible X-Factor is 2025 Alexander Lloyd. The 6-foot-4 guard already holds an offer from Florida Gulf Coast. How good is he? We will soon find out.
North Broward Prep: (Last season: 14-7)
The Eagles are a team that could make some noise this season. Remember, four of their seven losses last season came to Calvary Christian Academy and Pine Crest. They played a tough schedule and I’m sure head coach Casey Wohlleb wouldn’t want it any other way.North Broward Prep has a big frontline led by 2022 Justin Abson. I think they will be very tough with their length (wingspan) on the defensive end. I’m interested to see how 2022 Michael Kalina Michael Kalina 6'0" | PG North Broward Prep | 2022 State FL (Boca Raton) performs. He put up numbers for TDT Elite this summer. This is a step up in competition for the guard.
Pembroke Pines Charter: (Last season: 13-3/5A state champions)
The Jaguars were very consistent last season, losing two of their three games by a combined ten points. Pembroke Pines Charter has a tremendous senior class that all averaged over 12 points per game a season ago. Each one of those kids got better during the travel season. I was particularly impressed with 2022 Caelum Ethridge Caelum Ethridge 6'3" | SG Pembroke Pines | 2022 State FL . The 6-foot-6 guard improved his shot and athleticism across various events. The Jaguars are a great group that plays well together.
Western Wildcats: (Last season: 14-8)
Former head coach Mike Hardy is gone after taking the coaching job at Dillard. The Wildcats lost a number of close games last season, including a 4-point loss to Dwyer in the 7A state tournament. Can they replace the loss of three seniors? 2022 Kamren Ramsarran Kamren Ramsarran 6'1" | CG Westminster | 2022 State FL transfers over from Westminster Academy. I will put them as a question mark for now.
What about some of the Fort Lauderdale teams? The Flying L’s have a new head coach and Stranahan has some talented pieces. Can the Mighty Dragons get back to where they were a few years ago? Northeast has a young coach in T.J. Sapp. U-School (Davie) is reportedly back after opting out last season. Pine Crest lost the Thompson twins to Overtime Elite. Miramar was completely unraveled by transfers and lost head coach Tramaine Stevens to Chicago State. More to come here.
For any South Florida Prep Hoops news or information…please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.