Class 7A 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 7A and its 16 districts. This is part two which will break down the final eight districts.
Previous class previews (7A Part 1, 6A - Part 2, 6A - Part 1, 5A - Part 2, 5A – Part 1, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A).
2016-17 state champion: Dillard 2016-17 runner-up: EdgewaterClass 7A-District 9 2016 winner: Largo took home the district title with a win over Boca Ciega. The Packers made a run to the region final before losing to Lehigh. Teams to watch: Largo, Boca Ciega, Northeast Other teams in the district: Osceola, Clearwater, Dixie Hollins Predicted district champion: Largo – This will be a tight race once again with Largo and Boca Ciega. I have to give the slight edge to the Packers with 2018 prospects Isaiah Bellamy, Zhahidi Robinson and 2019 guard Nirobi Peeler. Boca Ciega won't go away easy with 2018 athletes Jerroda Briscoe, Dollard Davis and Alonzo Carter in charge. 2018 Northeast guard Duke Sherrod is another player to keep an eye on. Class 7A-District 10 2016 winner: Port Charlotte had one heck of a season with a 23-4 record, beating Charlotte in the district championship. Senior guard Sean Price carried the Pirates. Teams to watch: Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Charlotte Other teams in the district: North Fort Myers, Lemon Bay, Ida Baker, Island Coast Predicted district champion: Cape Coral – The Seahawks were in the mix last season. I have a hunch with 2018 starters Bryan Markovich, James Gibson and Harwin Francois that they'll be able to make a run. 2019 guard Shemar Fleurissant is a player to watch for Port Charlotte while 2019 forward Ahmad Johnson will carry the load for Charlotte. Class 7A-District 11 2016 winner: Lehigh won the district and carried that momentum into the state semifinal before losing to Edgewater. Teams to watch: Lehigh, Fort Myers, East Lee County Other teams in the district: Dunbar, South Fort Myers, Estero Predicted district champion: Lehigh - The Lightning are contenders year after year. With 2018 guards Quan Martin and Bershard Edwards and 2019 guard Delshawn Green, Lehigh will have plenty of offensive weapons. 2020 guard Quinton Desamours is also a factor. Other players in the district to watch closely are 2020 Ft. Myers guard John Coleus and 2018 East Lee County guard Kyle Robinson. Class 7A-District 12 2016 winner: Naples clipped Golden Gate by two points to win the district crown. The Golden Eagles lost to Lehigh in the region semifinal. Teams to watch: Naples, Palmetto Ridge Other teams in the district: Golden Gate, Barron Collier Predicted district champion: Naples - This is Naples' district to lose. 2018 starters Woody Theork and Sevin Brown are back to help out the cause. Palmetto Ridge will hang around. Golden Gate graduated its top six scorers from a productive team. Class 7A-District 13 2016 winner: Sebastian River handled business on its way to a district championship. The Sharks lost in the region semifinal to eventual state champion Dillard. Teams to watch: Heritage, Sebastian River, Jensen Beach, Okeechobee Other teams in the district: South Fork, Bay Side, Eau Gallie Predicted district champion: Sebastian River Class 7A-District 14 2016 winner: Dillard won its seventh state title in program history and second consecutive this past season. The Panthers beat Northeast in the district title to move into the playoffs. Teams to watch: Dillard, Northeast Other teams in the district: Boyd Anderson Predicted district champion: Dillard - Northeast is creeping up in this rivalry with 2018 guard Angel Smith and 2019 forward Brandon Patrick, but Dillard is still Dillard. That won't change with 2018 guards Bryce Oliver, Stanley Gardner and 2018 forwards Seth Coddington and Devin Jordan. Class 7A-District 15 2016 winner: Norland (22-7) won the district title and flew into the region final before losing by only eight points to Dillard. Teams to watch: Norland, Carol City Other teams in the district: North Miami Beach, Central, Northwestern Predicted district champion: Norland – The 2018 trio of Omar Rolle, Reece Wilkonson and Cardinal Brown will have to carry the Vikings after 2019 guard Sam Griffin and 2018 forward Immanuel Crump both transferred. Wilkonson is a rising player at 6'9". Class 7A-District 16 2016 winner: Doral Academy edged Belen Jesuit to take the district championship. Teams to watch: Doral Academy, Belen Jesuit, Sunset, Miami Springs Other teams in the district: St. Brendan, Jackson, Terra Environmental Predicted district champion: Doral Academy - The Firebirds return 2018 starters Kenneth Santos and Miguel Ayesa and 2019 guard Jonathan Nunez, Doral will be hard to slow down, to say the least. Predicted state champion - I'm going to go out on a limb and say Lehigh takes the Class 7A state title. Edward and Martin are true leaders and even with a few impressive seniors graduating, the Lightning always find a way to win with a group of athletes that make plays. Auburndale, Atlantic and Ocala Vanguard are also favorites of mine in 7A. Photo credit: Logan Newell/Naples Daily News
