South Florida Region Preview: Class 5A

Belen Jesuit- District 16- Head Coach Gaston “Chachi” Rodriguez- (Top Players- 2020 6’8 Joshua Cecol, 2020 6’3 Mario Cobo, 2021 5’10 David Fernandez, 2023 5’10 Daniel Fernandez)

The Wolverines, who reached the regional semifinals last season and dropped a heartbreaker to Doral, should be a contender again. The older Fernandez is a tough as nails point guard that plays with a great motor and is a skilled ball handler. Cecol is the man in the middle for Belen and has really improved over the past couple of seasons. Cobo will be counted upon to help replace a lot of the scoring Belen lost due to graduation. 

Miami Killian- District 16- Head Coach Austin Perez- (Top Players- 2020 6’6 Josh Acosta, 2021 6’1 Ariel Acosta, 2020 5’10 Kyle Boncamper, 2022 6’0 Warner Davis)

The Cougars, who captured a district championship in a thriller vs Palmetto last season, is set to rebuild around a talented young core. Davis should have a breakout season for Killian. He is a crafty guard that can really shoot it. Josh Acosta is an intriguing prospect that is starting to gain college attention. Boncamper and Ariel Acosta will are two of the more experienced players on the team and will be counted upon to lead this young group. 

TERRA Institute- District 16- Head Coach Adam Graham- (Top Players- 2020 6’5 Cyril Deas, 2020 5’9 Sebastian Blanco, 2020 6’0 Francisco Santiago, 2021 6’3 Chris Morales)

The Wolves are set for their best season in recent memory. Blanco is an energetic guard that can flat out score and pass. Deas has all the tools and it will be intriguing to see if he can put them all together and have a big senior season. Morales is a tough competitor that can stretch the floor. Santiago will be counted on to score and hit shots for Terra. 

Miami Norland- District 15- Head Coach Lawton Williams- (Top Players- 2020 6’4 Jahvon Smith, 2020 6’5 Kendrick Wilson, 2020 5’10 Ricky Bush)

The Vikings are a state title contender once again. They are led by the talented and skilled Smith, who holds several division 1 offers. The senior is a load driving to the basket and is a good distributor. Wilson is extremely skilled with his back to the basket and forms a great inside out combo with Smith. Bush is a tough competitor and has become a consistent offensive threat. They are the favorite in District 15 and should have a great year. 

Archbishop McCarthy- District 14- Head Coach Mike Alvarez- (Top Players- 2020 6’8 Bradley Alcime, 2020 6’2 Ryan Velez, 2021 6’1 Hayden Brun, 2020 6’0 David Mizrahi)

The Mavericks are always well coaches and sound offensively. They enter the highly talented 5a District 14 which will be a tremendous challenge. Alcime is an intriguing prospect that has developed well over the last few years and has range out to the three point line. Velez is a talented guard than can score. Mizrahi is a good shooter that should flourish with a bigger role this season. 

Boyd Anderson- District 14- Head Coach Eugene Richardson- (Top Players- 2020 5’10 Martin Mercedes, 2020 6’3 Caleb Corbon, 2020 6’4 Kemari Brown, 2020 6’5 Rivaldo Fairweather)

The Cobras are one of the contenders in District 14 which is stacked with talented teams. Mercedes plays with great speed and is a dynamic playmaker. Brown is a talented scorer that uses his athleticism to score in the paint and can consistently hit outside shots. Fairweather is a tough and physical big who will anchor the Cobras’ defense. Boyd Anderson can be a breakout team this season.  

Northeast (Oakland Park)- District 14- Head Coach Darrence Gillion- (Top Players- 2020 5’11 Tyrecke Francios, 2021 6’5 Wesley Cadet, 2023 6’9 Ryan Bewley, 2023 6’9 Matthew Bewley, 2021 6’4 Jameon Harris)

The Hurricanes are filled with big time prospects. Cadet, who holds several power 5 offers, is a great athlete and skilled lead guard. He can score at every level and is surrounded by a talented supporting cast. Francios, who transferred from Ely, is a tough guard that can flat out shoot it. The Bewley twins have limitless potential and should become national prospects. Harris, a transfer from West Oaks, is another talented and athletic guard that can fill it up. Northeast plays an uptempo style and will be one of the favorites to go to Lakeland in 5a. 

Pembroke Pines Charter- District 14- Head Coach Dave Roca- (Top Players- 2020 5’9 Dallas Graziani, 2020 6’4 Osei Price, 2020 Amarachi Ujagbor, 2021 6’0 Javen Smith, 2022 5’11 Geoffrey Sprouse)     

The Jaguars are loaded and one of the favorites to capture the state title. Ujagbor is a versatile big who is a Division 1 recruit. Price, who transferred from Montverde, is a talented wing that can really score it. Graziani, who averaged over 30 points per game at Cooper City, is a scoring machine. Sprouse is a knockdown shooter that should feast with the talent around him. Smith, who is a Georgia native, is a combo guard that can fill it up. Pines Charter is one of the most talented teams in state and are overflowing with college prospects.