Following are our preseason predictions for 2023-24 state champions in each classification of Florida high school basketball, beginning with Class 7A.
7A – Miami Columbus Explorers
Having won the last two Class 7A state titles, the Explorers only got better during the offseason, and they are well-positioned to contend for a three-peat in 2023-24. Returning are the likes of Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, and Malik Abdullahi, among others, and Miami Columbus has added one of the state’s top offseason transfers in highly rated four-star senior Jase Richardson, a Michigan State commit.
6A – Dwyer Panthers
The Panthers are the defending Class 6A state champions, and our preseason predictions have them going back-to-back in the 2023-24 Florida high school basketball season. Dwyer, which concluded last season with a 29-1 overall record, returns a roster headlined by Amari Nealy and Jaelen Nelson. A big challenge will be in replacing three double-digit scorers.
5A – Mainland Buccaneers
After falling just short of a state title a year ago, Mainland is the 2023-24 pick in Class 5A. The Buccaneers return a key amount of talent from their 2022-23 team, including their top two scorers, Nathan Kirk and Narayan Thomas.
4A – Mater Lakes Academy Bears
After a 2022-23 season in which they went 28-3 to win a state title, Mater Lakes Academy is the preseason pick for Class 4A in 2023-24. The Bears return two double-digit scorers, Christian Reid and Anthony Knowles, along with numerous others from a team that averaged 75 PPG offensively.
3A – Westminster Academy Lions
For the preseason pick in Class 3A, Westminster Academy narrowly edges out defending state champion Riviera Prep. The Lions return a significant amount of production from their 2022-23 team, headlined by a trio of double-digit scorers in Alex Lloyd, Dwayne Wimbley Jr., and Alexander Constanza.
2A – Orlando Christian Prep Warriors
After falling to Sagemont 67-66 in the state title game a year ago, the Warriors get the nod in our preseason predictions to finish at the top of Class 2A in the 2023-24 Florida high school basketball season. Orlando Christian Prep should be talented once again in 2023-24, with a pair of double-digit scorers – four-star Florida commit Isaiah Brown and Ameer Ramadan – leading the way.
1A – Williston Red Devils
In Class 1A, the pick goes to defending state champion Williston to make it back-to-back titles. The Red Devils’ returning roster is headlined by a double-digit scorer, Kyler Lamb, along with multiple others from a team that allowed only 42.5 PPG last season.
