JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The 2026 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) boys’ and girls’ basketball state championships resumed this week, with the larger classifications taking the floor. Here is who stood out on Day 5:

Anthony Brown - Boca Ciega - 2027

Despite the lopsided loss to Suncoast in the Class 4A semifinal, Brown was showing a ton of positive contributions for his side. On offense, he was pushing the pace at an efficient rate, where he was getting to his spots in the mid-range as well as finishing at the rim on the attack. He was also applying pressure on the opposing defenses, where he got to his spots off the bounce as well as the catch, where he finished with a team-high 13 points on just 4-of-13 shooting from the field. Despite getting into early foul trouble, Brown remained disciplined on the defensive end, where he was challenging shots at the front of the rim, where his length continued to be disruptive for the opposition.

Cris De La Pena - Atlantic (Port Orange) - 2026

De La Pena used his size to his advantage on the defensive end, where his scrappiness and toughness continue to be a problem for opposing guards. His shot selection was pure when it came to his mid-range jumpers, ability to get to the rim, and finish efficiently from the perimeter. On defense, he was a pest when it came to his ability to guard the ball as well as his efforts to pursue the passing lanes. In the 4A semifinal win, De La Pena led all scorers with 17 points, three assists, and three steals.

Aaron Horton - Suncoast - 2026

Horton showed his pure athleticism, where he got to his spots off the catch as well as the bounce at a high rate. He turned defense into offense with his consistent pressure in the passing lanes, where his length made things difficult for the opposition to get any offensive flow going. His ability to slash and create for his teammates off the bounce is what separates him from the rest of the guards in this matchup, as his creativity continues to be stellar. On defense, he brought toughness and high energy that fed off his teammates, where he was going after loose balls, rebounding well from the guard position, and getting timely deflections, which led to scores on the offensive end.

Emmanuel Martin - Atlantic (Port Orange) - 2027

Martin was sensational when it came to protecting the glass, especially on the defensive end, where he corralled 13 of his 15 rebounds in the 4A semifinal win over Bishop Kenny. On offense, he used his big frame and strength to his advantage when it came to attacking downhill, where he finished at the rim, as well as stopping on a dime in the mid-range. With his two-way playmaking, Martin could emerge as a key factor as the Sharks look to cap off a Class 4A championship.

Kyree McKelton - Suncoast - 2026

McKelton showed pure quickness and remained under control when he had the basketball in his hands in the semifinal win over Boca Ciega. The 6-foot senior guard didn’t have to score to make an impact, as he was creating for his teammates on and off the ball, where his timely screening and cutting to the basket were what defined his offensive game. When McKelton did have the basketball in his hands, he showed his high IQ and elite court vision, finding teammates on the move, as well as being able to get to his spots in the mid-range. McKelton could emerge as a late bloomer on the recruiting trail, where he could open some eyes at the next level.

Mekhi Yan - Atlantic (Port Orange) - 2026

Yan provided energy and effort when it came to being a rim protector on the offensive end. He created his scoring opportunities off put-backs as well as being effective around the blocks. In the 4A semifinal win over Bishop Kenny, the 6-foot-5 senior wing finished with an efficient 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field. On defense, his length and versatility opened up for his teammates, where he was active in the passing lanes as well as utilizing his length when it came to pursuing shots around the rim.

Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast region scout & writer for On The Radar Hoops since 2024. He has been involved in basketball scouting with previous stops at Prep Hoops from 2022 to 2024. You can follow him on X @RossVDG14 or reach him via email at rossvdg14@gmail.com.