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Boys Basketball: Preseason Top 10

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2007

1. BRANDON: The Eagles, who finished 20-7 and lost in the district semifinals last year, have arguably the most talented starting lineup in Hillsborough County, highlighted by Boston College-bound power forward Evan Ravenel. Joining Ravenel will be a talented backcourt in guards Tarron Stewart and Blake Allen with 6-foot-6 forward Marcus Morrison.

2. PLANT: Finished 22-2 last season after losing in the district semifinals to Middleton, but returns one of the top players in the area in junior guard Sheldon Cooley, who is supported by high-scoring forward Chandler Flom and point guard Kevin James. Senior post player Martin Roddy (6-foot-8) should have a breakout year for the Panthers.

3. BERKELEY PREP: Berkeley Prep returns four starters, all of whom averaged double digits, which helped the Buccaneers finish 22-7, earn a district title and advance to the Class 3A region semifinals. Juniors Austin Suarez and Johnathan Gray, two of the top rising stars in the county, should have breakout seasons.

4. WHARTON: The Wildcats graduated four seniors, all of who went on to play in college, who led the team to a 29-2 record and a trip to the Class 5A region final, but return two starters in Derek Holmes and Anthony Manuel (verbal commitment to The Citadel), who are capable of breakout seasons.

5. SICKLES: The Gryphons won the Class 6A-District 7 championship and finished 19-8 after losing to Orlando Dr. Phillips in the region semifinals. Sophomore point guard Jordan Davis will be one of the top guards in the county and Coach Renaldo Garcia is expecting forwards Darian Conor and Kelvin Daniels to pick up the scoring slack with the loss of 6-5 center Matt Johnson to graduation.

6. TAMPA PREP: The Terrapins return 6-7 forward David Waller and 6-4 sophomore guard Jamal Cherry on a team that finished 24-6 and advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals last year. Long-range shooter Jake Haslam and the coach's son, Conner Fenlon, will run the guard positions.

7. KING: The Lions finished 12-14 last season and return 6-8 junior Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, a highly touted college prospect who averaged 15 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season. Junior center Antwoine Gardner (6-6) and guard Noel Fernandez (6-1) will also be factors for the Lions.

8. MIDDLETON: The Cinderella program of the season last year after upsetting Plant and Chamberlain to win its first district title, the Tigers return their top scorers in forwards Corey Thomas and Khiry Anfield and hope to improve on a 14-15 record.

9. CHAMBERLAIN: Graduated its top scorer in forward Carlos Figueroa but returns talented point guard Dantavis Adkins, who averaged 15.7 points per game last season. Once football season is over, Dontae Aycock will provide at small forward.

10. ARMWOOD: The Hawks finished 12-13 last season and lost in the district semifinals to Wharton. Although the team graduated high-scoring forward Jason Anthony, it returns senior guard Adam Sollazzo and will get some help from Brandon transfer Jared Paul.

PRESEASON TOP 10

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