The Florida High School Basketball season is here, and HSSportsFlorida will be revealing their weekly rankings each Monday throughout the season. Montverde Academy, Columbus, IMG Academy, Westminster Academy, and Oak Ridge round out the top five:
Here’s a complete breakdown of the first edition with our preseason Top 15 boys basketball teams across the state of Florida:
#1 Montverde Academy
The Eagles are coming off a 35-0 season in 2023-2024, where they won the City of Palms Classic and Chipotle Nationals. They also have some new faces to this year’s squad, featuring Trent Sisley (Indiana commit), Hudson Greer (Creighton commit), CJ Ingram (Florida commit), and Dante Allen (Villanova commit).
Season Opener: Monday, 11/25 vs Wasatch Academy (Utah) (Nike EYBL Scholastic)
#2 Columbus
The Explorers have won three consecutive state championships, where they’ve been led by Duke commits Cayden and Cameron Boozer. They’ve re-loaded once again this season where they bolstered their team with transfers Marcello Jackson, Caleb Gaskins, and Eric Dibami.
Season Opener: Saturday, 11/30 vs Wheeler (Georgia) (Holiday Hoopsgiving)
#3 IMG Academy
The Ascenders should once again be highlighted as one of the state’s best teams this season. They are led by Darius Acuff (Arkansas commit) and Sadiq White (Syracuse commit) who transferred in from Myers Park (North Carolina) back in the summer. The Ascenders also added juniors Cody Peck, Jermal Jones Jr, Chase Foster, and Trey Beamer to the mix.
Season Opener: TBD
#4 Westminster Academy
The Lions should be a destined favorite in Class 2A this season where they return four starters from last season’s regional final exit. Leading the team this season will be Alex Lloyd (Florida commit), Alex Constanza, and Ethan Bertrand.
Season Opener: Friday, 11/29 vs. Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) (Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas)
#5 Oak Ridge
The Pioneers finished the 2023-2024 season as the Class 7A runner-up and are the emerging favorites to get back to Lakeland once again this season. Leading the team this season will be Jalen Reece (LSU commit), Jamier Jones (Providence commit), and Maddox Harden.
Season Opener: Tuesday, 11/26 vs Oviedo (Metro vs Florida Challenge)
#6 DME Academy (2-1)
DME Academy started its regular season with a 73-51 win over Potter’s House Christian Academy, followed by a 103-67 win over Victory Rock Prep in the SIAA Crossover. DME ended the SIAA Crossover with an 85-80 loss in overtime to Balboa Academy.
DME Academy will be led this season by 6-4 senior point guard Mikel Brown Jr. and 6-0 junior guard Nathan Kirk.
#7 Sagemont
The Lions finished the 2023-2024 season as the Class 2A Champions and re-loaded its roster again this season. They will be led this season by 6-5 senior guard Matthew Able (Miami commit), 6-8 junior forward Kevin Thomas, 6-6 senior guard Patrick Liburd (Coastal Carolina commit), and 7-0 sophomore center Charlie Cohn (Transferred from Benjamin)
Season Opener: Wednesday, 11/20 vs Stranahan
#8 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale)
The Eagles have one of the most dynamic backcourts in the state this season, where they will be led by 5-11 sophomore guard Cayden Daughtry and 6-8 senior guard Shon Abaev.
Season Opener: Tuesday, 11/19 vs Coral Glades
#9 Winter Haven
The Blue Devils only return two starters from the 2023-2024 team that reached the Class 7A Semifinals before losing to Oak Ridge. The Blue Devils will be led this season by 6-2 junior combo guard Gavin Hall and 6-5 senior shooting guard Troy Boswell.
Season Opener: Friday, 11/29 vs Orlando Jones (Florida GetDown Showcase)
#10 Gibbs (St. Petersburg)
The Gladiators are coming off winning the Class 4A Championship which was the school’s first state title since 1969. They return four starters from the championship team in senior shooting guard Mathis Roberts, senior center Isaiah Medina (DePaul commit), senior point guard Jacob Daniels, and sophomore shooting guard Oneal Delancy.
Season Opener: Thursday, 11/28 vs Vashon (Missouri) (Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions)
#11 Riviera Prep
The Bulldogs have won back-to-back state championships and have their eyes set on a 3-peat. Leading the team this season will be 6-1 sophomore guard Myles Fuentes, 6-2 junior guard Mason Fuentes, 6-9 sophomore power forward Jeremy Jenkins, and 7-0 senior center Gustavo Guimaraes.
Season Opener: Thursday, 11/21 vs Keys Gate
#12 The Rock School (Gainesville) (3-0)
The Lions are coming off a 2-0 weekend at the SIAA Crossover in Daytona Beach, where they picked up wins over Jordan Christian Prep and Southern Coast Academy. Leading the team this season will be 6-2 senior guard Evan Sterck (Jacksonville commit), 6-5 junior guard Joseph Hartman, 6-9 junior forward Tyler Bright, and 6-7 senior forward Kentrell Martin Jr. (Tulsa commit)
#13 Williston
The two-time defending state champions in Class 1A have re-loaded their roster once again this season. Leading the team this season will be 6-6 senior forward Adam Henderson, 6-4 junior guard Deandre Harvey, 6-3 senior guard Xavier Kirkpatrick, and 5-11 senior guard Giovanni Wright.
Season Opener: Friday, 11/22 vs Wiregrass Ranch
#14 North Tampa Christian Academy
Coming off their best season in the school’s young history, the Titans acquired a load of prospects via transfers during the off-season. Leading the team this season will be 6-10 junior power forward Toni Bryant, 5-11 freshman guard Dallas Oliver, 6-2 junior guard Archie McFadden, 6-7 junior shooting guard Caleb Sanders, and 6-5 junior combo guard Caleb Williams.
Season Opener: Monday, 11/18 vs George Jenkins
#15 Orlando Christian Prep
The Warriors finished the 2023-2024 season as the Class 2A Runner-up, losing to Sagemont. Leading the team this season will be junior point guard Joshua Theus and junior shooting guard Roman Mathieu.
Season Opener: Friday, 11/22 vs Legacy Charter
On The Bubble: Andrew Jackson, Bell Creek Academy, Berkeley Prep, Blake, Charlotte (Punta Gorda), Edgewater, Gateway Charter, Lake Worth, Mater Lakes Academy, Milton, North Broward Prep, Olympia, Ponte Vedra, Rickards, Santa Fe Catholic, Sarasota, St. Thomas Aquinas, Stranahan, Tampa Catholic, The Villages Charter, University School (Fort Lauderdale), Wellington, Western, Windermere Prep, Wiregrass Ranch
