Class 3A Season Preview (Part 2)
Preseason classics are near and the FHSAA regular season officially begins on November 25. We will bring you previews on all seven classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences. ICYMI: SIAA Preview Class 1A Preview Class 2A…
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Continue ReadingPreseason classics are near and the FHSAA regular season officially begins on November 25.
We will bring you previews on all seven classes in the state of Florida and the independent conferences.
ICYMI:
Class 2A Preview: (Part 1), (Part 2)
Class 3A Preview: (Part 1)
We arrive on Class 3A and its now expanded 16 districts (8 added), here with Part 2. St. John Paul II upset Orlando Christian Prep in overtime to take home its first-ever state title.
2018-19 state champion: St. John Paul II
2018-19 runner-up: Orlando Christian Prep
Part 2
Class 3A-District 9
2018-19 winner: N/A. Lakeland Christian, New Dimensions and Santa Fe Catholic came from 4A-3, Four Corners moved up from the independent rankings and Frostproof came from 1A-8.
Teams to watch: Santa Fe Catholic, Lakeland Christian, Frostproof
Other teams in the district: New Dimension, Four Corners,
Predicted district champion: Santa Fe Catholic
—This is Santa Fe Catholic’s district to lose after posting a 19-9 record a season ago. 2020 trio Joe Stubbs, Javon Bell and Ray Davis return at the forefront of this team’s success. 2020 6′ guard Antwan Walker came over from Ridge Community and will be a reliable two-way player while 2020 6’5″ guard Brian Elliott arrived from Lakeland Christian and will be a true deep ball shooter for the Hawks.
Class 3A-District 10
2018-19 winner: N/A. Cocoa Beach, Edgewood, Holy Trinity, Melbourne Central Catholic and West Shore came in from 5A-7 while John Carroll moved in from 4A-5.
Teams to watch: Holy Trinity, Melbourne Central Catholic, John Carroll
Other teams in the district: Cocoa Beach, West Shore, Edgewood
Predicted district champion: Melbourne Central Catholic
––There are three programs that are going to make a true push between Holy Trinity, Melbourne Central Catholic and John Carroll. Melbourne Central Catholic graduated 10 seniors but return 2021 6′ guard Sami Pissis to lead the charge. John Carroll has three-sport 2021 athlete Jay Allen back as its leading scorer as for Holy Trinity who returns four 2020 prospects including guards Javaris Johnson and Davarion Marvine.
Class 3A-District 11
2018-19 winner: N/A. Oxbridge, Cardinal Newman and King’s Academy came from 5A-11, St. Andrew’s and Boca Raton St. John Paul II came from 5A-12, Benjamin moved over from 4A-5 and Jupiter Christian shifted in from 3A-7.
Teams to watch: St. Andrew’s, Oxbridge, Cardinal Newman, Jupiter Christian, Benjamin
Other teams in the district: St. John Paul II, King’s
Predicted district champion: St. Andrew’s
—St. Andrew’s has the most playmakers but this new 3A-11 district is certainly not short on talent. The Scots went 25-5 a season ago, losing to Tampa Catholic 62-59 in the 5A region final and return four of its top five scorers including 2020 6’8″ forward Yussif Basa-Ama (Yale commit), 2021 6’5″ forward Joshua Minott, 2020 6’5″ forward Jackson May and 2020 6′ guard Koby Pelissier. Cardinal Newman lost 2021 6’3″ guard Devin Hines to St. Andrew’s. However 2021 6’1″ guard Jordan Johnson (netted 38 points in a game against OK PWP Red this summer in Atlanta) remains with Cardinal Newman. Benjamin has an emerging 2022 6’3″ guard in Isaiah Nesmith.
Class 3A-District 12
2018-19 winner: N/A. Westminster and Yeshiva came over from 4A-5, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian moved over from 5A-13, Sagemont from 4A-6, FAU High from 5A-12 and Somerset Prep from 3A-8.
Teams to watch: Westminster, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, Sagemont
Other teams in the district: FAU High, Somerset Prep, Yeshiva
Predicted district champion: Westminster
—This new look 3A district should be fun between powerhouse Westminster and Calvary Christian and an always competitive Sagemont program. Westminster won its third straight 4A title this past season as 2019 guards Chase Johnston (IUPUI) and Sam Griffin (Texas Arlington) are now off in college. However, the Lions have a lot to work with 2022 6’9″ forward Ben Middlebrooks, 2020 6’2″ guard Stephen Swenson, 2021 6’4″ guard Troy Boynton, 2022 6’5″ guard Kaleb Walters (transfer from Miramar) and 2022 6’5″ guard Aidan Abell (transfer from Coral Springs Charter). Calvary Christian could easily win this district with 2022 6’7″ forward Greg Glenn, 2023 6’5″ guard Carl Cherenfant, 2021 6’4″ guard Noah Tovar, 2020 6’4″ Matt Khoury and 2021 6’5″ guard Dylan Canonville.
Class 3A-District 13
2018-19 winner: N/A. Chaminade Madonna moved down from 5A-13, Hillel and Somerset Academy Central came from 4A-6, Posnack from 3A-8 and Ben Gamla from the independent rankings.
Teams to watch: Chaminade Madonna, Hillel
Other teams in the district: Ben Gamia, Posnack, Somerset Academy Central
Predicted district champion: Chaminade Madonna
—Even with dynamic 2019 forward Toumani Camara off to Georgia for college, the Lions still have a ton of talent with 2020 6’10” forward Andre Weir (Northeastern commit), 2021 6’1″ guard Thaddius Franklin, 2021 6’2″ guard Javaris Rolle (transfer from Westwood Christian) and 2020 5’10” guard Dax Kaye.
Class 3A-District 14
2018-19 winner: N/A. Divine Savior arrived in from 3A-8, Miami Country Day, Hialeah Educational and Doctors Charter came in from 4A-6, SLAM Miami and International Studies from 4A-7
Teams to watch: Divine Savior, Miami Country Day, SLAM Miami
Other teams in the district: Doctors Charter, Hialeah Educational, International Studies
Predicted district champion: Miami Country Day
—Divine Savior is a very deep group with 2020 guard trio Gino Requena, Jose Febres and Raul Duany in place. The Sharks could easily win this district, but I just like the endless upside with Miami Country Day 2023 6’4″ guard Jasai Miles along with the steady scoring from 2021 6′ guard Jordan Cooke and 2021 5’10” Ryan Mendelson. This district will battle until the end.
Class 3A-District 15
2018-19 winner: N/A. Riviera Prep, Florida Christian, Archbishop Carroll and Archimedean came over from 4A-7, Ransom Everglades from 5A-15 and Pinecrest Prep from 5A-16.
Teams to watch: Riviera Prep, Florida Christian, Archbishop Carroll
Other teams in the district: Ransom Everglades, Archimedean, Pinecrest Prep
Predicted district champion: Riviera Prep
––This is a tough one to pick. Riviera Prep edged Florida Christian in the 4A-7 district semifinals 47-46 last season and made a state semifinal appearance. The Bulldogs have 2022 5’9″ guard Esteban Lluberes and 2023 6’6″ forward Osmar Garcia Araujo are back along with 2020 6’3″ guard David Perez who left the school to play at University School as a junior. Florida Christian has shooters all over the place with 2020 6’2″ guard Ryan Ramirez, 2021 6’4″ guard Jordan Guerrero (transfer from Somerset South Homestead), 2021 6′ guard David Hernandez and2022 guard duo Nicholas Mate and Jose Amat.
Class 3A-District 16
2018-19 winner: N/A. Westminster Christian came in from 5A-16, Palmer Trinity, Marathon, Somerset Academy South Homestead, Palm Glades Prep, Somerset Silver Palms and Everglades Prep from 4A-8.
Teams to watch: Palmer Trinity, Somerset Silver Palms, Westminster Christian, Marathon
Other teams in the district: Palm Glades Prep, Somerset Academy South Homestead, Everglades Prep
Predicted district champion: Westminster Christian
—-Westminster Christian is my pick to win 3A-15 with 2021 6’8″ forward James Henderson, 2021 5’10” guard Frankie Idlett (transfer from Gulliver Prep), 2021 6’2″ guard Joey Brown and 2021 6’3″ guard Jayden Higgins all in place. The Fajardo brothers are all the talk at Somerset Silver Palms with 2020 6’4″ guard Gabriel Fajardo II and 2023 6’2″ guard Gabriel Fajardo III. For Palmer Trinity, 2021 6’1″ guard Andrew Waldman is back as the leading scorer.
Predicted State Champion: Westminster Academy
—I think whoever comes out of 3A-12 will prove to be the state champion between Westminster and Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian. Westminster is my pick with the reloaded cast the Lions have around Middlebrooks, Swenson and Boynton. Teams to watch in 3A as well are Seffner Christian, St. Andrew’s, Santa Fe Catholic and Providence. 3A is highly competitive.
Final in OT (3A State Final):
St. John Paul II 50
Orlando Christian Prep 482019 F Allan Jeanne-Rose wins it for St. John Paul II on a walk off dunk.
????leaders@sjpiipanthers
Jeanne-Rose 20
Chosen Levarity 13@OCPAthletics
Terrance Reese 11
BJ Wagner 10@CoachNixonJPII pic.twitter.com/34WhYnEkKx— ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) March 6, 2019