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Boys Basketball: District Outlooks

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2007

Class 6A-District 7

Sickles is the defending champion but had to go through a tough Gaither and St. Petersburg squad in the district tournament to earn the title. Former Leto coach Todd Price takes over the Alonso program and teams up with senior guard Eddie Taylor, while high-scoring senior guard Kornilious Donnell will try to lead the Cowboys into the playoffs.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Sickles; Runner-up - Gaither

Class 6A-District 8

Lakeland graduated seven seniors from a 25-2 team that won the district title, while Sarasota advanced as the runner-up. Durant junior guard AJ Garden (17 ppg last year) is set for a breakout season and Dale Chambers, a former Harlem Globetrotter, will take over the Plant City program that had four players averaging double figures last season. Other county teams include East Bay and Riverview.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Sarasota Riverview; Runner-up - Durant

Class 5A-District 8

With a college prospect on every team, this district is always the toughest and most competitive in Hillsborough County. Wharton is the defending champion and although long-time coach Tommy Tonelli stepped down during the summer, junior varsity coach Comer Copeland will take over the program and try to lead the Wildcats back to the postseason. Brandon was eliminated in the district semifinals, but with the amount of talent returning, the Eagles will be the team to beat. King, Newsome and Armwood are other teams capable of making the playoffs. Dezmond Walker will make Tampa Bay Tech a threat as will Ian Blake at Freedom.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Brandon; Runner-up - Wharton

Class 5A-Distict 10

Nothing was certain in this district last season, with Middleton upsetting state-ranked Plant and defending Class 5A region champion Chamberlain to win the district title. Hillsborough, Jefferson and Leto have new coaches in addition to Jesuit being added to the district. The Tigers, playing at a higher classification, will be led by high-scoring senior guard Jake Seymour. Middleton seniors Khiry Anfield and Corey Thomas could be the highest scoring duo in the county this season.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Plant; Runner-up - Middleton

Class 4A-District 9

Lakeland Kathleen advanced to the Class 4A state championship game last season and will be led by Missouri commit Miguel Paul and 6-foot-7 George Mason commit Kevin Foster. Spoto is the only county team in the district but has potential to win plenty non-district games with 6-3 senior forward Leon Jones .

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Kathleen; Runner-up - Lake Wales

Class 3A-District 11

Berkeley Prep is the defending district champion and flew under the radar last season before clinching the top seed in the district tournament. The Buccaneers certainly won't be underestimated this season but will have to battle St. Pete Catholic, who will be led by South Alabama commit Tracy Parks, for the district title. Tampa Catholic, who graduated three 1,000 point scorers, will be led by 6-7 senior prospect Alex Doyle. Lennard only won one game last season, but is still a relatively new school.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Berkeley Prep; Runner-up - St. Pete Catholic

Class 2A-District 9

Calvary Christian moves from 1A to 2A and will battle it out with Tampa Prep for the title. Calvary advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals last year, while Tampa Prep advanced to the 2A state semifinals. David Waller and Jamal Cherry will lead the Terrapins, the lone county team in the district.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Tampa Prep; Runner-up - Calvary Christian

Class 1A-District 10

Bayshore Christian and Seffner Christian competed for the title last year, with Seffner walking away with the championship. This season, Seffner coach Roger Duncan will look to Devin Paularinne, Austin Parimore, Steven Short and Mark Sentovich to lead the team. Chris Lamonte and Tim Barden will lead Tampa Bay Christian. Other county teams include Berean Academy and Cambridge.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Seffner Christian; Runner-up - Bayshore Christian

Class 1A-District 11

Lakeside Christian moves down from Class 2A after advancing to the region semifinals last year and a district champion. Citrus Park Christian is the lone county school and will be coached by Mike O'Shaughnessy.

WILLIAMS' PICK: Champion - Lakeside Christian; Runner-up - Bishop McLaughlin.

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