Season outlook

KEY DATES

Dec. 27-29: Junior Orange Bowl at Reagan High; Jan. 28-29, 31: GMAC championship; Feb. 4-9: Districts; Feb. 14: Regional quarterfinals; Feb. 19: Regional semifinals; Feb. 23: Regional finals; Feb. 26-March 2: State tournament at The Lakeland Center

DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS

Class 8A: Hialeah Gardens; 7A: Pompano Beach Blanche Ely; 6A: Norland; 5A: Lake Wales; 4A: Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest; 3A: Tampa Prep; 2A: Orlando Christian Prep; 1A: Chipley.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

SF Adrian Gonzalez, Hialeah Gardens, Sr.

C Alvaro Simoza, Hialeah Gardens, Sr.

C Antravious Simmons, South Miami, Sr.

G Cedric Hankerson, Coral Reef, Sr.

G Brian Glasford, Jr., Coral Reef, Sr.

C Wadley Mompremier, Miami High, Sr.

G Allen Baez, Miami High, Sr.

C-F Maljhum McCrea, Norland, Sr.

G Sam Singer, Ransom, Sr.

G Richie Spiller, Booker T. Washington, Sr.

C Amida Brimah, Archbishop Carroll, Sr.

C Alonzo Mourning III, Ransom, Jr.

G Nick Santana, La Salle, Sr.

G Armand Shoon, Westwood Christian, Sr.

OTHERS TO WATCH

G-F Michael Kirkpatrick, Coral Gables, Sr.; G Kory Schulz, Palmetto, Sr.; PG Imani Edwards, Southridge, Sr.; G Marquise Warren, Miami Beach, Jr.; G Zachary Johnson, Norland, Jr.; C Tyrell Williams, Norland, Jr.; G Phil Cheron, Archbishop Curley, Sr.; F Wyatt Sikora, Florida Christian, Jr.

TEAM OUTLOOKS — CLASS 8A

1. HIALEAH GARDENS (Coach Marcos Molina, 5th year, 69-23). Last year: 29-5 (State champions). Top players: SF Adrian Gonzalez, 6-5, Sr.; PF-C Alvaro Simoza, 6-6, Sr.; PG Luis Huertas, 6-1, Sr.; SF Henry Leonardo, 6-6, Sr.

2. SOUTH MIAMI (Coach Robert Doctor, 9th year). Last year: 19-7 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: C Antravious Simmons, 6-9, Sr.; G John Cratit, 6-4, Sr.; G Michael Blanco, 5-11, Sr.; PG Jorge Laham, 6-1, Sr.

3. MIAMI HIGH (Coach Marcus Carreno). Last year: 22-6 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: C Wadley Mompremier, 6-9, Sr.; PG Allen Baez, 6-2, Sr.; PG Anthony Concepcion, 5-7, Jr.; F Hector Faez, 6-3, Sr.

4. CORAL REEF (Coach Adam Graham, 2nd year, 21-5). Last year: 21-5 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: G Cedric Hankerson, 6-5, Sr.; G Brian Glasford Jr., 6-4, Sr.

5. COLUMBUS (Coach Henry Lorenzo, 4th year at COL, 17th overall, 325-145). Last year: 18-10 (Regional semifinalist). Top players: G Marquise Clark, 6-1, Jr.; G Johnny Minervino, 5-10, Jr.; F Kevin O’Brien, 6-7, Sr.; G Christian Melendez, 6-1, Jr.

6. AMERICAN (Coach Kelvin Farrington, 5th year at AM, 21st overall). Last year: 18-7 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: Prince Foster, 6-4, Sr.; Jonathan Spicer, 6-4, Jr.; Dan Andrews II, 6-0, Jr.; Bryan Barba, 5-10, Sr.

7. CORAL GABLES (Coach Gaston “Chachi” Rodriguez, 1st year at CG, 25th overall, 236-92). Last year: 21-5 (Regional quarterfinalist). Top players: G-F Michael Kirkpatrick, 6-6, Sr.; G-F Antonio Dawson, 6-5, Sr.; G Nick Cruz, 5-9, Sr.; C-F Roodney Martinez, 6-5, Jr.

8. CAROL CITY (Coach Barry Robinson, 17th year at CC, 20th overall, 264-106). Last year: 18-5. Top players: G Chaz Williams, 6-2, Sr.; F-C Rashad Thompkins, 6-5, Sr.; PG Devonte McKennie, 6-3, Sr.; G-F Zackery White, 6-4, So.

9. PALMETTO (Coach Rick Landera, 1st year). Last year: 18-6. Top players: G-F Kory Schulz, 6-5, Sr.; G-F Joan Povea, 6-3, Sr.; F Daniel Coffey, 6-5, Sr.; F-C Nikola Parlic, 6-6, Sr.