District Previews

Class 4A, District 7
Predicted finish: 1. Sickles, 2. Bloomingdale, 3. Durant, 4. Gaither.

Outlook: One of the toughest districts in the state features two Final Four teams and a regional finalist. Yet, the best team may be the one that did not get past districts. Sickles is loaded with Dustin Beach and Streicher. Durant returns several seniors, including the county’s leading scorer in Jamin Hollingsworth (28 g) and best goalie in Dickenson. Bloomingdale lost a lot to graduation, but you can’t count out a team with Stump, Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Drew Emery and three state titles. Gaither was eviscerated by graduation; but Times’ Coach of the Year Adrian Bush will no doubt put forth a competitive squad.

Class 3A, District 8
Predicted finish: 1. George Jenkins (Lakeland), Plant City, Lakeland, Lake Region (Eagle Lake)

Outlook: Plant City is the only Hillsborough team in this district dominated by Jenkins. The Raiders lost Guillermo Salgado but have a nucleus of returning players.

Class 3A, District 9
Predicted finish: 1. King, 2. Chamberlain, 3. Wharton, 4. Plant, 5. Brandon, 6. Hillsborough

Outlook: King coach Dave Outlaw said that this district is "up for grabs." The Lions may be frontrunners with leading scorer Lonnie Houston returning, as well as sweeper Mehran Mostasavifar. Chamberlain is a perennially solid squad. Wharton could surprise a lot of people this year as it returns 12 players, led by midfielders Mike Mainieri and Shane Provost. First-year Plant coach Allison Steen Napior takes on the daunting task of a female coaching a boys varsity team, and losing F Clay Grossman doesn’t help. However, Bobby Boswell and Chris Cheek should control the midfield. Brandon is young and will look to improve with senior MF Rusty Roush leading the way. Hillsborough lost Scott Everhart and Andre Lewis to graduation.

Class 2A, District 9
Predicted finish: 1. Jesuit, 2. Armwood, 3. Leto, 4. Jefferson, 5. Robinson, 6. Tampa Bay Tech, 7. Blake

Outlook: Jesuit has won three consecutive state titles and 15 straight district crowns. Being in a new district probably will not change this. High-scoring Daly leads the Tigers, and flashy MF Bryce Wegerle also returns. Armwood will play a more controlled style of game this year, led by F John Hujar and newcomer Ricky Usner. Leto could also be a contender for second place. Everyone else will just have to hope the FHSAA redraws districts next year so that Jesuit is elsewhere.

Class 2A, District 11:
Predicted finish: 1. Riverview, 2. East Bay (Gibsonton), 3. Bayshore (Bradenton), 4. Lemon Bay (Englewood), 5. Booker (Sarasota)

Outlook: Hillsborough contenders Riverview and East Bay should be big rivals this year. East Bay has a solid defense returning with Dayvid Orvosh, Johnny LaBarbara, and Noah Miranda and will look to improve on last year’s .500 record.

Class A, District 8
Predicted finish: 1. Berkeley Prep, 2. Tampa Catholic, 3. Wesley Chapel

Outlook: In his 25^th year of coaching, Berkeley coach Dave Zimmerman predicts another Final Four appearance. The Bucs are led by F Gerard Palacios (23 g) and goalie Dean Aranoutakis, both all-state players last year. Tampa Catholic was woeful last year but should return some older, more experienced players. Wesley Chapel has a young team.