Class 5A Season Preview (Part 2)

Preseason classics are approaching in a few weeks and the regular season officially begins on November 27. We will bring you previews on all nine classes in the state of Florida. Here is an inside look at Class 5A and its 16 districts. This is part two which will break down the final eight districts. Previous class previews (5A - Part 1, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A).

2016-17 state champion: Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian 2016-17 runner-up: Tampa Catholic

Class 5A-District 9 2016 winner: Tampa Catholic defeated Berkeley Prep in the district final. The Crusaders, led by current Kentucky starter Kevin Knox made it all the way to the state title game before losing to Calvary Christian. First-year Cypress Creek out of Wesley Chapel joins the district. Teams to watch: Berkeley Prep, Tampa Catholic, Brooks DeBartolo, Clearwater Central Catholic Other teams in the district: Cardinal Mooney, Sarasota Military, Cypress Creek Predicted district champion: Berkeley Prep - Former Sickles head coach Renaldo Garcia takes over at Berkeley Prep after leading his previous team to a Class 8A state championship. Tampa Catholic lacks star power without Knox despite a sound lineup, Brooks DeBartolo is still young and Clearwater Central Catholic lost a big group of seniors. The Buccaneers have 2019 forwards Zion Carter and Chase Barrs, 2018 guard Kaleb Karnes, 2020 guard Kegan Karnes and 2019 forward Alex Weinstock on their side. This will be a tight race but Berkeley Prep is my surprise pick. Class 5A-District 10 2016 winner: Community School of Naples beat Bishop Verot to take the district. The Seahawks beat Berkeley Prep before losing to Tampa Catholic in the region semifinal, 64-60. Clewiston joins from District-11. Teams to watch: Community School, Bishop Verot, St. John Neumann Other teams in the district: Clewiston, LaBelle, Oasis, Gateway Charter Predicted district champion: Community School -This district is going to come down to Community School and Bishop Verot again. Both schools still have parts from last year's teams. The Seahawks graduated leading scorers Trent Buttrick and Cooper Weiss, but 2019 guard Parker Weiss and 2018 guard Jeffrey Donahue will see expanded roles. Bishop Verot will have 2019 guard Andrew Shepherd and 2018 forward Josh Schwartz at the forefront. Class 5A-District 11 2016 winner: A three-team district a year ago, Lincoln Park won it. Oxbridge, King's, Inlet Grove and Cardinal Newman join Glades Central from District-12. Teams to watch: Oxbridge, Cardinal Newman, Inlet Grove Other teams in the district: King's, Glades Central Predicted district champion: Oxbridge -I have to give this district to Oxbridge. The ThunderWolves beat Cardinal Newman 3-out-of-4 times last season including the District-12 final and the region semifinal. Oxbridge has 2018 guard Keidron Smith and 2019 starters AJ Cajuste and Dante Wilcox leading the way. Cardinal Newman lost K.J. Fitzgerald and Amari Hayes to graduation and Prep Hoops top ranked 2020 player Scottie Barnes to transfer. Class 5A-District 12 2016 winner: Like mentioned above Oxbridge won this district, but all five teams in this district now are from District-13. Saint Andrew's won that district a year ago with a 25-3 record. Teams to watch: Saint Andrew's, Coral Springs Charter, St. John Paul II Other teams in the district: American Heritage, North Broward Prep Predicted district champion: Saint Andrew's -Top scorer Anthony Polite is off at Florida State now, but Saint Andrew's has enough back to win this district. 2018 guard Marcus Pelissier will be counted on as the main piece while 2018 guard Jammy Pierre-Louis and 2019 guard Alejandro Ralat will pitch in. Class 5A-District 13 2016 winner: All the teams from District-14 have come over to District-13. This district was won by Saint Andrew's last year as mentioned above. Teams to watch: Calvary Christian, University, Cardinal Gibbons Other teams in the district: Pine Crest, Somerset, Chaminade-Madonna Predicted district champion: University -Calvary Christian won the state title a year ago and 2-of-3 matchups against University last season including the region quarterfinal. But the Eagles graduated seniors Jerald Butler, Solomon Uyaelunmo and Rasheem Etienne, three of their top four scorers. 2018 forwards Victor Uyaelunmo and Elochukwu Eze and sophomore guard Tim Dagler will be in charge. University replaced Balsa Koprivica with Barnes as he pairs with our No. 1 2019 prospect Vernon Carey Jr. Class 5A-District 14 2016 winner: University won this district a year ago in the old District-14. Edison, iMater Charter, Mater Lakes and Monsignor Pace come over from District-15. Teams to watch: Mater Lakes, Monsignor Pace Other teams in the district: iMater Charter, Edison Predicted district champion: Mater Lakes - 2019 guard Cyrus Largie was crucial to the Bears success last season and he will once again be the main piece for his team. Mater Lakes should be able to take home this district. Class 5A-District 15 2016 winner: Booker T. Washington and LaSalle remain in the district that Mater Lakes won a year ago. Gulliver Prep and Ransom Everglades come over from District-16 Teams to watch: Gulliver Prep, Booker T. Washington Other teams in the district: Ransom Everglades, LaSalle Predicted district champion: Gulliver Prep -Expect Gulliver Prep to not only win this district but also make a serious run in the state tournament. With three 2020 starters Jamal Mashburn Jr., Tony Sanders and Diego Lamonica played really hard together, the Raiders made it to the region final. They'll only be better this season. Class 5A-District 16 2016 winner: Gulliver Prep took this district, but Key West, Keys Gate, Westminster Christian and Pinecrest Prep return to form the new 4-team district. Teams to watch: Key West, Keys Gate Other teams in the district: Westminster Christian, Pinecrest Prep Predicted district champion: Key West - I'm giving Key West this district victory with 2018 guard Alvin Howard and 2019 forward Lamont Woods returning. 2019 forward La'Darrien Reed is a player to watch for Keys Gate. Predicted state champion: University -University has the No. 1 player in the 2019 class in Carey Jr. and No. 1 player in the 2020 class in Barnes for our state. That is plenty of firepower. The likes of Gulliver Prep, Calvary Christian, Oxbridge and Windermere Prep will be contenders, but University's tandem of Carey Jr. and Barnes is scary good. Photo credit: Sun Sentinel