Looking back at the past couple of months, the 2021-22 Florida high school basketball season saw many of the state’s top programs finish the year atop their respective classifications’ rankings – and many of them are expected to do the same next season. With that in mind, we take a way-too-early look at the 2022-23 season and ask: Who will be among the Top 25 basketball teams among Florida high schools?
1. Montverde Academy
As expected, the Eagles will once again be one of the top teams in the entire country in 2022-23, with a roster headlined by the nation’s No. 2 overall player Kwame Evans Jr. In addition to Evans, the Eagles’ 2022-23 roster also will feature two of the state’s top 2024 recruits in Derik Queen and Amier Ali, both of whom are Top 40 players nationally.
2. IMG Academy
While you could certainly make an argument for IMG Academy at the top spot, the Ascenders land here at No. 2 in our predictions for next year’s Top 25 Florida basketball rankings. A squad that will graduate a majority of their production from the 2021-22 season, the Ascenders are set to return the state’s No. 6 player in the 2023 class in rising senior guard Jacoi Hutchinson, as well as a few other impact players.
3. Calvary Christian
The 2021-22 Class 4A state champions, Calvary Christian is set to lose a few key names from this past season, but will return a few as well, headlined by five-star guard Marvel Allen. Also returning alongside Allen will be another double-digit scorer from this past season in guard Carl Cherenfant, with the duo leading a likely state title favorite Eagles team once again.
4. Miami Columbus
You certainly could make an argument that the 2021-22 Class 7A state champions should be higher than No. 4 in these Top-25 basketball rankings. A younger team this past season, the Explorers will return both of their double-digit scorers in the rising sophomore duo of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, as well as multiple other key names.
5. Orlando Christian Prep
The third consecutive state champion on this list, the Warriors will enter the 2022-23 season after claiming the 2A state title this past season. Despite losing a few key names from that team, Orlando Christian Prep will return one of the state’s top 2023 recruits next season in four-star center Jayden Hastings.
6. Andrew Jackson
7. Dr. Phillips
8. Martin County
9. Pembroke Pines Charter
10. Lake Highland Prep
Class 6A state champion Martin County headlines this group at No. 8 overall, while Andrew Jackson returns a few notable players in 2022-23 such as guard Michael Swift. As for the other three, Dr. Phillips will have to replace the trio of Udeh Jr, Kugel, and Aberdeen, while Pembroke Pines Charter and Lake Highland Prep will both have to replace key names with none bigger than Highlanders star Brice Sensabaugh.
11. West Oaks Academy
12. Olympia
13. Florida State
14. The Rock
15. Stranahan
Two defending state champions, Florida State and Stranahan, will both return at least one of their top scorers in guards Anthony Robinson and Hykeem Williams, respectively, while The Rock returns arguably the top player of the group in rising junior Ryan Jones. One of Florida’s top scorers from this past season, Jizzle James (25.4 PPG), will return for Olympia, while West Oaks Academy will have to replace their top four leading scorers.
16. Windermere
17. Tampa Catholic
18. Ponte Vedra
19. North Broward Prep
20. Riviera Prep
The top two teams in this group, Windemere and Tampa Catholic, both return key names for the 2022-23 season, including some of the state’s top recruits such as Sean Stewart, Karter Knox, and Eddrin Bronson. Ponte Vedra, North Broward Prep and Riviera Prep will each have to replace a few key names next season, with the Eagles returning arguably the most notable player of the year in rising senior Guilherme Tesch.
21. Oak Ridge
22. Riverview-Sarasota
23. Winter Haven
24. Providence
25. St. Petersburg
One of the top teams in Class 7A, Oak Ridge will return three double-digit scorers from this past season in Tyler Johnson, Jalen Reece, and Elijah Elliott, while Riverview-Sarasota returns one of the state’s top 2023 recruits in guard Jason Jackson. Winter Haven will also return three double-digit scorers, led by guard Isaac Celiscar, while Providence and St. Petersburg also return key names, led by Green Devils point guard Tristan Gross.
(HONORABLE MENTIONS (i.e., teams that just missed the rankings): Westminster Academy, Sagemont, Central Florida Christian, Central Pointe Christian)
