South Florida Preview: Class 3A

 

Chaminade Madonna(District 13)

Head Coach: Andre Torres

(Top Players- 2020 6’10 Andre Weir, 2021 6’1 Thaddius Franklin, 2021 6’2 Javaris Rolle, 2020 5’10 Dax Kaye) 

 

The Lions are one of the region’s top contenders. Weir, who is committed to Northeastern, is the anchor of the offense and defense. The Lions have a lot of depth and set for a big season despite the graduation of Georgia Bulldogs Toumani Camara. 

 

Divine Savior Academy(District 14)

 Head Coach: Brian Kasten

(Top Players- 2020 5’11 Gino Requena, 2020 6’0 Jose Febres, 2020 5’10 Raul Duany, 2021 6’0 Gabriel Gonzalez)

 

The Sharks are one of the favorites in District 14. Requena, who has interest from Division 3 schools, is a good scorer that competes on every possession. Gonzalez, who transferred from Ronald Reagan, should form a scoring duo with Requena. Febres averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. Duany is the point guard and ball handler for this group.       

 

Miami Country Day(District 14)

Head Coach:Ralph Mata

 (Top Players- 2021 5’10 Jordan Cooke, 2023 6’5 Jasai Miles)

 

Mata is entering his 2nd season of the Spartans and has the program on the rise. Cooke leads the way for this young group is an ultra competitive skilled point guard. Miles is very talented freshman that has a chance to develop into a high level prospect. Look for the Spartans to compete for a district title with Divine Savior and earn a spot in the regional playoffs this upcoming season. 

 

Florida Christian(District 15)

Head Coach:Jason Doan

(Top Players- 2020 6’2 Ryan Ramirez, 2021 6’4 Jordan Guerrero, 2021 6’0 David Hernandez, 2022 Nicholas Mate 5’9)

 

The Patriots are probably the best three point shooting team in Miami. Coach Doan’s roster is filled with knockdown shooters. They play an exciting uptempo brand of basketball and are an underrated contender this season. Mate is the point guard of this group and leads their attack. Guerrero, who transferred from Somerset South Homestead, is set for a breakout junior season and is a candidate for best shooter in Miami. Ramirez and Hernandez are two of the aforementioned snipers and will have plenty of double digit scoring nights. 

 

Riviera Prep(District 15)

 Head Coach: Anthony Shabaz

(Top Players- 2020 6’2 David Perez, 2022 5’9 Esteban Lluberes, 2023 6’6 Osmar Garcia Araujo)

 

The Bulldogs are fresh off the school’s first appearance to Lakeland and have their sights on winning the state title this season. The return of David Perez, who spent his career at Riviera prior to playing last season at University School, gives the Bulldogs a potent scorer who is fantastic at attacking the rim and finishing through contact. Araujo is one of the top young players in Miami and averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds per game as an 8th grader. Lluberes is ultra quick skilled ball handler and averaged 16 points and 6 assists per game as a freshman. Riviera is set for a big season and with their young core look to be a contender for years to come. 

    

Palmer Trinity(District 16)

 Head Coach:Andre Smith

(Top Players- 2021 6’3 Andrew Waldman, 2021 6’2 Isaiah Thomas, 2021 5’9 Gabriel Friedland)

 

The Falcons are set to contend for the 2nd spot in District 16 behind the heavily favored Westminster group. Andrew Waldman is a very underrated player that can really score. The junior averaged 16 points per game last season and is set for an even bigger season this year. Thomas and Friedland are quality role players. 

 

Somerset Charter (Silver Palms)(District 16)

Head Coach: Steven Lopez

 (Top Players-2020 6’4 Gabriel Fajardo II, 2023 6’2 Gabriel Fajardo III, 2021 5’9 William Ehlen)

 

The Stallions are led by the duo of the Fajardo brothers. The younger brother averaged 20 points per game as an 8th grader on varsity. The older brother was a key player at Westwood Christian last season and is being recruited by Division 3 schools. Coach Lopez is in his first year at the program and has Somerset set for a breakout season. Ehlen is an athletic and quick guard that will be one of the main ball handlers. 

 

Westminster Christian(District 16)

Head Coach PJ Brown

(Top Players-2021 6’8 James Henderson, 2021, 6’2 Joey Brown, 2020 5’8 JC Lezcano, 2021 6’3 Jayden Higgins, 2021 5’10 Frankie Idlett)

 

The Warriors are one of the favorites to go to Lakeland out of Region 4 Class 3a. Westminster is  extremely well coached, disciplined and poised for a great season. Henderson is as good defensively as any big man in South Florida. He is a great rim protector and plays with a great motor. Brown is talented combo guard that can really score and is set for a big season. Idlett and Higgins, who both transferred from Gulliver Prep, give Westminster a lot of talent in the backcourt. They both have the ability to become top guards in the city. 

 

St. Andrews(District 11)

 Head Coach: John O’Connell

 (Top Players- 2020 6’9 Yussif Basa-Ama, 2020 6’0 Koby Pelissier, 2020 6’4 Jackson May, 2021 6’7 Joshua Minott)

 

The Scots lost a heartbreaker to Tampa Catholic in the regional final last season and are set to be a state contender this season. Yussif, who recently committed to Yale, is one of South Florida’s top prospects. He is an active forward with great skill around the basket. May averaged 14 points per game last season and is a skilled forward that knocks down shots regularly. Minott, who holds several division 1 offers, is set for a huge season and is better everytime we see him. 

 

Calvary Christian(District 12)

Head Coach: Cilk McSweeney

(Top Players- 2022 6’7 Gregg Glenn, 2021 6’4 Noah Tovar, 2021 6’5 Dylan Canonville, 2020 6’4 Matt Khoury)

 

The Eagles, who captured a state title in 2017, are hoping to win the school’s second state championship. The are led by nationally ranked wing Gregg Glenn, who is one of if not the top prospect in South Florida. He has spent time with USA basketball and holds offers from several Power 5 programs. Tovar is a dynamic guard that can really fill up a box score. Canonville is a strong and explosive athlete and had a breakout summer in the travel circuit. Khoury is a knockdown shooter and will provide great floor spacing for the Eagles. 

 

Sagemont(District 12)

Head Coach David Roe- (Top Players- 2022 6’5 Rickey Ballard, 2021 6’2 Raph Houssou 2020 6’2 Jurguen Ramos)

 

Sagemont, under Coach David Roe, is looking to return to the status of being one of South Florida’s elite programs. The Lions are led by a talented trio of Ballard, Houssou, and Ramos. They all played their summer basketball with SOH Elite and are set to lead the Lions to a breakout season. Ramos is a talented guard that is great at penetrating and finding open teammates. Ballard has a very high ceiling and has a chance to develop into one of the area’s better prospects. Houssoi is a tough minded guard that can really score. 

 

Westminster Academy(District 12)

Head Coach: Ehren Wallhoff

(Top Players- 2022 6’10 Ben Middlebrooks, 2022 6’5 Kleb Walters, 2021 6’4 Troy Boynton, 2020 6’0 Stephan Swenson)

 

The Lions have won the state title three consecutive seasons and with the graduations of Chase Johnston and Sam Griffin are set to build around a new young and talented core. Middlebrooks is the foundation of a new Westminster group and is an immensely talented young player. Middlebrooks, who already holds offers from Florida, Wake Forest, Stetson, Florida Gulf Coast, and USF, is great at scoring around the basket and can knock down the outside shot with regularity. Swenson is a quick smart point guard and will be the main ball handler for this group. Boynton is an elite shooter and holds several division 1 offers as well. Walters, who transferred from Miramar, is set for a breakout season.