Class 6A

Palm Beach Lakes, Pompano Beach Ely, Miami High, West Orange

The 6A bracket has seen more big names go down early than any other bracket. One thing is for sure, we will have a new state champion in the 6A classification.

Miami High

Miami High is the most intriguing team in the tournament. With sophomore sensation Edwin Rios and juniors Jonathan Hall and Dwayne Collins, Miami High maybe the fan dream pick to win the tournament.

Palm Beach Lakes

Last year, PBL was upset in the regional final. This year with their starting five intact from a year ago Palm Beach Lakes has stayed near or on the top of the poll the entire year.

Pompano Beach Ely

Ely is a senior laden team who pulled off a string of upsets to get to the finals. They are fast in the backcourt and shoot the ball well.

West Orange

With most of its team moving to the new Ocoee High next year, West Orange is going out in style. With victories over Oviedo and Winter Park, they have staked their claim for one of the best schools in Central Florida.

Prediction

Miami High roller coaster season continues all the way to the finals, but it ends there. Lakes have been our pick for the entire year and with the thoughts of last year in their minds, the Rams will be more focused.

Palm Beach Lakes 72 Miami High 61

Class 5A

Clearwater, East Ridge, Palm Beach Dwyer, Lake Howell

The 5A bracket features three teams who participated in the final four last year in Clearwater, Dwyer, and Lake Howell with newcomer East Ridge.

Clearwater

Clearwater has silently put up the best record in 5A. Led by Center Cruz Daniels, Clearwater makes a return trip to the Finals this time hoping to advance to the finals and win.

East Ridge

Last year East Ridge was eliminated in the first round of the 4A championship. With a year under their belt, East Ridge has made it to the Final Four led by super junior Chris Bishop.

Palm Beach Dwyer

Dwyer is the defending state champions. They are led by All Florida Prospects player Alonzo Gee. Dwyer is hoping that their experience will carry them back to the championship. Also look for Nebraska signee, Karl Marx to be a factor for the Panthers.

Lake Howell

Last year Lake Howell made it to the championship game starting three freshmen. The most talented of them is Nick Calathes, brother of St. Joseph’s freshman Pat Calathes.

Prediction

All year long 5A has really been a three team race between Dillard, Dwyer and Lake Howell. With Dillard losing to Dwyer, the winner of the Palm Beach Dwyer Lake Howell game will be the clear favorite to win the 5A crown

Lake Howell 71 Clearwater 58

4A

Orlando Jones, Lake Wales, St. Petersburg Lakewood, Tallahassee Rickards

With defending state champions Jacksonville Raines eliminated, the 4A bracket will welcome a new state champion.

Orlando Jones

Jones knocked out Jacksonville Raines with a last second shot at the buzzer. The Tigers are young but very talented. Led by two of the top juniors in the state, Jones feels that now is the time to win.

Lake Wales

Lake Wales is the wildcard team here. They defeated a Kathleen team that had beaten them three times during the year. Last year, they made it to the regional finals before losing to an unbeaten Winter Haven team. They are led by Forward Marvin Williams.

St. Petersburg Lakewood

Last year, Lakewood got upset by Bradenton Southeast in the regional finals. Led by seniors Mario Telfair and Sean Morrison they defeated Fort Pierce 70-60 to reach the Final Four.

Tallahassee Rickards

Rickards features one of the top guards in the state. Led by All Florida Prospects Player, Jermonte Bush, Rickards returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2001.

Prediction

Class 4A will be the most competitive class in the tournament. With no clear cut favorites. Jones will try to use their big win against Raines and carry it over to a title.

Orlando Jones 58 St. Petersburg Lakewood 51

Class 3A

Florida Air Academy, Jacksonville Ribault, Miami Monsignor Pace, St Petersburg Catholic

The 3A bracket has two teams from a year ago to make it to the final four in St. Petersburg Catholic and Miami Pace.

Florida Air Academy

All year long Florida Air has been ranked number one in the 3A poll. Currently, they are the only team in the state with an undefeated record. They are led by All Florida Prospects Guard Walter Hodge.

Jacksonville Ribault

The Trojans from Jacksonville returns to the state finals for the first time since 2000. The run and gun offense has been a staple of legendary coach Bernard Wilkes since he has been there. Look for big man Chris Linton and super sophomore Chris Summers.

Miami Pace

Last year Pace lost in the semifinals to eventual state champions Cocoa Beach. This year, Pace is a year older and brings a better team to Lakeland. They are led by senior Josue Vasquez.

St. Petersburg Catholic

The Barons lost to Cocoa Beach in the finals last year. They return with All Florida Prospects Junior Aaron Holmes.

Prediction

Florida Air has had a dream season. They are the only undefeated team in the state at 30-0 and are looking to finish the journey. With two games left from a perfect season, Florida Air seems destine to win it all. Unfortunately destiny has a mind of its own.

Miami Pace 61 Florida Air Academy 57

Class 2A

Jacksonville Arlington Country Day, Maclay, First Academy, Palmer Trinity

Jacksonville ACD

ACD has been considered the best team in Florida all year long. The team is loaded with Division One talent, led by seniors David Huertas and Sammy Hernandez. Anything less than a state championship will be a big disappointment for the team.

Maclay

Maclay returns to the state championships for the first time since 1997. The Marauders has been one of the top teams in the Big Bend area. They are led by Mike Burchfield.

First Academy

After going 23-4 in the regular season, First Academy makes its first trip ever to the state finals. They have the inevitable task of playing Jacksonville ACD in the first round.

Prediction

All year ACD has been the best team in the state. It would take a tremendous breakdown for the Apaches to lose the title.

Jacksonville ACD 81 Maclay 62

Class 1A

Apalachicola, Florida Prep, Miami Northwest Christian, Pine Castle Christian

With Jacksonville Raines eliminated, Miami Northwest Christian is the only team left that has a chance of a three peat.

Apalachicola

Last year Apalachicola was embarrassed in the final game by Miami Northwest Christian 81-49. They are led by Demar Griggs.

Florida Prep

Florida Prep prevented a Bradenton Christian from making returning to the state finals which would have put the same four teams from last year. They are led by Sal Patrico.

Miami Northwest Christian

The two time defending state champs look for the first three peat since Miami High. All year long they have been the best team in 1A and nothing has change. They are led by DeLuis Ramirez.

Pine Castle Christian

The small school from Orlando makes it second consecutive trip to Lakeland. They are led by Brandon Jackson and Dave Kinder

Prediction

With Raines out of the running for a three peat, Northwest Christian is the only school left. Where some of the schools are catching up with NWC, they are not there yet.

Miami Northwest Christian 74 Pine Castle Christian 63