In most places around the country, a preseason Top 10 national ranking would signal that a team is a prohibitive favorite within its own league.
But not in Florida's Sunshine Independent Athletic Association.
Comprised of preseason national No. 9
Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville), No. 25
Oldsmar Christian,
Liberty Christian Prep (Tavares),
Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville),
The Rock (Gainesville),
Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) and
West Oaks (Orlando), the league has become a hotbed for high school basketball.
The SIAA Class of 2014 produced 14 Division I signees. The 2013 crop included first-round NBA Draft pick Joel Embiid.
There are 16 players on SIAA rosters this season already committed to high major college programs or holding an offer from one.
Guard Mario Kegler
Photo by Gary McCullough
Even with a team that is among the most talented that Rex Morgan has had at Arlington Country Day, defending the league title will be no easy task.
Morgan, who led ACD to a 42-6 state playoff record in 11 appearances while the school was a member the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), will look to the backcourt combination of
Jahshire Hardnett and
Lamonte Turner to lead the repeat effort.
Hardnett averaged over 20 points per game as a junior at Gulfport (Miss.) en route to all-state honors. He was also a standout over the summer on Nike's highly competitive EYBL circuit.
Turner is regarded as one of the best scoring guards in the 2016 class and a Top 100 recruit overall, according to 247Sports recruiting guru Jerry Meyer.
Senior
Malik Hicks and junior
Mario Kegler – another Mississippi transplant – will man the three and four spots for the Apaches.
View gallery of Arlington Country Day preseason photo shootIn the post, look for 6-foot-10 Spanish transplant
Yankuba Sima and 6-8 Brazilian
Tulio Da Silva. According to ACD assistant coach Jeff Merritt, Sima may be the team's best passer.
The Apaches open the 2014-15 season Nov. 21 against SIAA rival and fellow preseason Top 25 entry Oldsmar Christian.
Arlington Country Day's last five years:2013-14 – 30-5, SIAA champions
2012-13 – 30-4
2011-12 – 15-5
2010-11 – 21-2, SIAA champions
2009-10 – 19-6
