Class 8A Season Preview (Part 1/2)

Sickles took home the state crown this past February, but teams all over the state are looking to reload as the target is on their back. Check out part one of two of the Class 8A Season Preview. Previous class previews: (7A Part 2, 7A Part 1, 6A - Part 2, 6A - Part 1, 5A - Part 2, 5A – Part 1, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A). 2016-17 State Champion: Tampa-Sickles 2016-17 Runner-Up: Tallahassee-Lincoln CLASS 8A-1 2016 winner: A nine-point win over Navarre gave the Niceville Eagles a home game in the state tourney, as well as a district championship. The squad went 20-7 en route to the title. Niceville managed two separate five-game winning streaks during the run. Teams to watch: Navarre, Gulf Breeze Other teams in district: Cantonment-Tate Predicted district champion: Niceville went an undefeated 6-0 in district play, last year. There's no reason why they couldn't do it again, this year. My only question? Can Juanyeh Thomas & Trey Green-Harris make up the difference for the two seniors who combined for 29 points a game? They both combined for 10 less. If they can grow together this season, they're favorites. CLASS 8A-2 2016 winner: The Lincoln Trojans swept the district en route to a 23-5 record and a district crown. It took an OT win by two points vs. Leon to bring home the hardware. Teams to watch: Tally-Leon Other teams in district: Tally-Chiles Predicted district champion: Both Leon and Lincoln have seen eight seniors leave since the end of last season. I'll lean Lincoln, mores on because of the recent success. Lincoln marched all the way to the state championship game where they fell to Sickles by six. No doubt, they'll be ready to get back to the top. CLASS 8A-3 2016 winner: The Lee Generals went 15-10 and 5-2 in the district on the way to a championship win over Atlantic Coast. Lee advanced into the regional semis, where they fell to Creekside by nine. Teams to watch: Jax-Atlantic Coast, Jax-First Coast Other teams in district: Neptune Beach-Fletcher Predicted district champion: They had an abrupt end to the year in 2016-17, but with leading scorer Nasseem Khalid returning, who also led the team in steals with 1.8 a game & 6.4 rebounds a night, they may have a shot at improving upon last season's 21-5 record, and win the ‘Chip. CLASS 8A-4 2016 winner: The Creekside Knights only dropped one of eight district games en route to a 26-4 record, a district title, and a regional final appearance. They beat Buchholz by 13 in the championship game—their third win over BHS, that season. Teams to watch: Gainesville-Buchholz Other teams in district: Orange Park-Fleming Island, St. Johns-Bartram Trail, Orange Park-Oakleaf Predicted district champion: I have a feeling that Buchholz could turn a head or two in that district. Just as Creekside has a tandem in J'Michael Plummer and Caleb Townsend who combined for 25 points in 2016-17, the Bobcats' Trent Whittemore and Rick Smith proved over the summer that they can fill it up just as equally. The ‘Cats could claw toward a title. CLASS 8A-5 2016 Winner: Though the Ocoee Knights were under .500 for the year, they went above and beyond when it came to face Clermont-Eastridge in the championship game. Ocoee knocked off East Ridge 59-53 with the help of Eisley Porter's 20 points, and now-senior Omar Morales's 16. Teams to watch: Eastridge, Orlando-Edgewater, Winter Park-Lake Howell Other teams in district: Orlando-East River, Lake Minneola, Ocala-West Port, Windermere Predicted district champion: Edgewater will miss the effort of Anfernee Simons who's now in IMG's post-grad program, but they still have sophomore Michael Eads who performed above par as a freshman, as well as 6'8”, double-double guy Robert Allen—who also gave his team nearly three blocks and over three assists, a game. I like their chances. CLASS 8A-6 2016 Winner: Melbourne had a solid run through the completion going 24-6 on the year, and undefeated in district play. The Bulldogs beat Hagerty by 11 to win the ‘Chip, then once more in the regional semis by five. Teams to watch: Oviedo-Hagerty, Viera Other teams in district: Celebration, Harmony, Kissimmee-Liberty, St. Cloud Predicted district champion: Melbourne's really losing some depth out of their six seniors. A few seniors were one-two in points and rebounds per game. They'll be at least six class of 2018's at Hagerty who remember the smell of last season. Look for them to rally and avenge their two playoff losses to Melbourne, this season. CLASS 8A-7 2016 winner: Bartow ended the year strong with an eight-game win streak going into their regional semifinals match against Tampa-Sickles. Along the way, they bested Kathleen by 18 in the district title game. A two-point loss to Sickles ended their season with still a lot to celebrate. Teams to watch: Lakeland-Kathleen, Winter Haven Other teams in district: Lakeland Predicted district champion: Winter Haven could be another squad that levels up this year. The Blue Devils went 17-9 last year, and their best scorer and rebounder, senior Dorian James, is expected to be better, this season. James averaged 15 and nine boards in 2016. Bryson Birdsong offered 13 a game, of his own—along with a team-leading 3.4 dimes a game. Stay alert on them. CLASS 8A-8 2016 winner: The Tampa-Sickles Gryphons were the best team in the state last year. Donning a 29-4 record, a 16-0 record in district play, a district championship win over Tampa-Wharton by 15, a nail-biting over Bartow in the regional semis, and a piece of the net used in their state title win over Lincoln, Sickles proved to be the leader of the pack. Teams to watch: Wharton, Lutz-Steinbrenner, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch Other teams in district: Tampa-Freedom, Tampa-Gaither, Tampa-Leto, Tampa-Plant Predicted district champion: It's tough to envision another team stepping in as district champs, when the STATE champ came from that district. Sickles should be a front runner. Although, Wharton still has some solid players in-tact that can compete. Two are 6'5” guard D.J. Henderson, and 6'5” power forward Ryan Anders. May see a rematch! Statistics: maxpreps.com Photo Credit: baynews9.com