Class 7A Season Preview: Part 2
Preseason classics are underway and the regular season officially begins on November 26.
We will bring you previews on all nine classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences.
ICYMI:
Class 5A Preview: Part 1, Part 2
Class 6A Preview: Part 1, Part 2
Class 7A Preview: Part 1
Here is a look at Class 7A and a preview of districts 1-8.
2017-18 state champion: Doral
2017-18 state runner-up: Choctawhatchee
Class 7A-District 9
2017-18 winner: Largo (16-12) got by Boca Ciega 66-50 in the district title. The Packers fell to Lemon Bay 59-52 in the region quarterfinal
Teams to watch: Clearwater, Largo, Boca Ciega, Northeast
Other teams in the district: Osceola, Dixie Hollins
Predicted district champion: Clearwater
–Clearwater has a legitimate chance of making a run this season behind a very fast paced team flow. 2019 guard Nirobi Peeler (14.7 PPG), 2019 guard Dawson Maxwell (12.3), 2020 guard Max Jones (11.9 PPG) and 2019 forward Gilbert Mendez (11.7 PPG). 2022 guard CJ Lee is an emerging player. Others to watch in the district, Boca Ciega – 2019 guard Dakota Moore, Largo – 2019 guard Keon Gulley and 2020 guard Keylen Gulley
Written by Jake Perper
Class 7A-District 10
2017-18 winner: Lemon Bay beat Cape Coral 59-56 in the district championship but it was Cape Coral that got revenge in the region semifinal, 59-49. The Seahawks made it all the way to the state semifinal before losing to Doral.
Teams to watch: Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Charlotte, Lemon Bay
Other teams in the district: North Fort Myers, Ida Baker, Island Coast
Predicted district champion: Charlotte
-This district was very tight between Cape Coral, Charlotte and Lemon Bay a year ago. Charlotte has 2019 guard Ahmad Johnson (18.1 PPG), 2019 guard Makai Reaves (9.8 PPG) and 2019 guard Jayden Grant (9.4 PPG). 2021 forward Tre Carroll (6.7 PPG) will be a key prospect to watch.
Written by Jake Perper
Class 7A-District 11
2017-18 winner: Lehigh (26-4) beat Fort Myers 71-57 in the district final. The Lightning fell to Cape Coral in the region final 52-48.
Teams to watch: Lehigh, Fort Myers, South Fort Myers, Dunbar
Other teams in the district: East Lee County, Estero
Predicted district champion: Lehigh
– This should be a close battle between Lehigh, Fort Myers, South Fort Myers and Dunbar. I have to give the slight edge to the Lightning with their experience and 2019 guard Delshawn Green (11.8 PPG), 2020 guard Quinton Desamours (7.1 PPG) and 2021 guard Ronnail Tape. Fort Myers has 2021 guard Javian McCollum, South Ft. Myers has 2021 starters David Lias and Ethan Keller and Dunbar has 2021 guard Ahmad Watkins, 2020 forward Caleb Snowden and 2021 guard Caleb Jones. Dunbar is a real darkhorse with the athletes in place.
Written by Jake Perper
Class 7A-District 12
2017-18 winner: Naples (20-8) beat Palmetto Ridge 66-38 in the district final. The Golden Eagles took down Fort Myers in the region quarterfinal before losing to Lehigh 68-65 in the region semifinal.
Teams to watch: Barron Collier, Naples, Palmetto Ridge
Other teams in the district: Golden Gate
Predicted district champion: Barron Collier
– This is the year for Barron Collier to take the district behind 2019 forward Trevor Tracy (12.6 PPG), 2019 guard Jayden Rolle (12.6 PPG) and 2019 guard Clark Place (10.4 PPG). Naples will be right in this thing despite all the graduates. 2021 guard James Cone and forward Tony Green will be asked to do plenty.
Written by Jake Perper
Class 7A-District 13
2017-18 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: Sebastian River, South Fork, Okeechobee
Other teams in the district: Bay Side, Eau Gallie, Jensen Beach, Heritage
Predicted district champion: Okeechobee
-This is a very athletic and long Okeechobee group. 2019 forward J-quan Ferrol (19.1 PPG), 2019 forward Jemal Davis (12.9 PPG) and 2019 guard Tray Anthony (9.9 PPG). The Brahmans are a well put together who can really make some noise this season.
Written by Jake Perper
Class 7A-District 14
2017-18 winner: Oakland Park Northeast went 0-4 in the district a season ago only to win the district tournament championship, 72-58, over Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson. Senior-laden Northeast fell one game short of state, losing at Doral Academy, 56-50, in the regional final.
Teams to watch: Northeast, Boyd Anderson, Fort Lauderdale Dillard
Other teams in the district: All three programs will be in the hunt.
Predicted district champion: Boyd Anderson
– These games are fought tooth and nail. I give the nod to coach Eugene Richardson and Boyd Anderson on the strength of adding transfers R.J. Duhart (Delray Atlantic), Floyd Rideau Jr. (Holy Trinity) and Kenny Anderson Jr. (Cypress Bay). The combination of Duhart and Wylie Howard gives BA a front line of 6-9 and 6-10 if it chooses to go that route. Northeast’s top two players are underclassmen, led by 6-5 sophomore Division I prospect Wesley Cardet Jr. Dillard will look to rebound behind Makerere Williams and Jalen Haynes.
Written by Pat Lammer
Class 7A-District 15
2017-18 winner: Miami Norland took out Carol City, 61-50, in the district championship. The Vikings would fall to Doral Academy, 51-40, in the region semis.
Teams to watch: Miami Norland, Carol City
Other teams in the district: Miami Northwestern, Miami Central, North Miami Beach
Predicted district champion: Norland
– Veteran Norland head coach Lawton Williams has won a Miami-Dade record six state championships. Coming off a 21-7 record, Williams will return University of Louisiana Lafayette 6-7 recruit Chris Spenkuch. The Vikings will also be counting on 2020s Kendrick Wilson (6-7) and Jahvon Smith (6-3). Carol City went 18-6 a year ago. The Chiefs were ousted by Doral in the regional quarterfinals.
Written by Pat Lammer
Class 7A-District 16
2017-18 winner: Doral Academy pounded Miami Springs, 52-22, for the district crown. The Firebirds (32-2) held off Oakland Park Northeast, 56-50, in the regional final en route to the state championship.
Teams to watch: Doral Academy, Belen Jesuit, Miami Sunset, Miami Springs
Other teams in the district: TERRA, Miami Jackson, St. Brendan
Predicted district champion: Doral Academy
– Doral Academy is the defending 7A state champion and coach Jorge Fernandez brings back talented senior guard Jojo Nunez and has added junior Devin Carter, son of Miami Heat assistant coach Anthony Carter. Carter moved to South Florida from Colorado. Senior guard Alec Rodriguez is a four-year starter at Belen, which also has 6-2 senior Daniel Sueiro. Miami Springs is led by senior guard Brandon Lavernia.
Written by Pat Lammer
Predicted state champion
-7A is wide open this season and I had a hard time picking between Choctawhatchee and Boyd Anderson. I have to give Choctawhatchee the slight edge in the state conversation simply because of 2019 forward Diante Smith (TCU signee), 2019 guard Joshua Williams and 2020 forward Max Keebaugh. Boyd Anderson is deep with athletes, but I’m banking on the chemistry and toughness that Choctawhatchee already has in place. — Jake Perper
-Boyd Anderson. Going to take a little bit of a flyer in 7A, but if Eugene Richardson’s crew buys in 100 percent on the defensive end, BA has the goods to go the distance. The Cobras have great size and length and the perimeter talent to shoot it. Fort Lauderdale Dillard — from that district — won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017. — Pat Lammer
Final Score (7A final):
Doral 43, Choctaw 38
The Firebirds win their first state title in program history.
????top scorers @Doral_Academy
Jonathan Nunez 14
Miguel Ayesa 11@ChoctawHS
Diante Smith 12
Aron Scott 9 pic.twitter.com/MjUPza78rx— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 10, 2018
Photo credit: Miami Herald