The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) boys’ basketball state championships officially get underway this week with the smaller classifications taking the stage at UNF Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Here is a preview of the 1A semifinals that are scheduled to take place on Thursday:

Central Florida Christian Academy vs. Sagemont - Thursday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m.

The Central Florida Christian Academy Eagles (23-6) return to the Final Four for the first time since 2019, where they enter the state semifinals as a district runner-up. The Eagles advanced to the state semifinal with a 58-52 win over Orlando Christian Prep, the same team that defeated them in the district championship last month. The Eagles are led by second-year head coach Albert Settles, who also coaches Austin Rivers SE Elite on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. The Eagles have been led this season by 6-foot-6 senior forward Alexander Dipaolo (Army signee), 6-foot-1 junior guard Trevor Miller, and 6-foot-5 senior guard Dylan Campbell.

The Sagemont Lions (22-6) return to familiar territory, where they have won the last three state titles and are eyeing their fourth. The Lions have cruised their way through the regional playoffs, where they have won by 30 or more points in their last five games, as well as 20 or more points in six straight, dating back to their January 27 contest against North Broward Prep. The Lions carry a seven-game winning streak heading into their Final Four matchup. The Lions have been led this season by 6-foot-8 senior small forward Kevin Thomas (LSU signee), who returned to the Lions in the middle of the season after beginning the year at Montverde Academy. The other lead catalysts this season for the Lions have been 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Ezra Gelin, 6-foot-4 senior shooting guard David Nealy, and 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Branden Sharpe.

Victory Christian Academy vs. Impact Christian Academy - Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The Victory Christian Academy Storm (24-6) is back in the Final Four for the second consecutive season, where they are still seeking the school’s first state title. The Storm comes into the Final Four riding an 11-game winning streak dating back to January 17, when they lost to Lake Howell, who are in the Class 6A semifinals. The Storm have cruised their way through the regional playoffs, where their stifling defense allowed an average of 27.0 points per game. The Storm have been led this season by 6-foot-1 junior guard Christian Fuller, who is leading the team in scoring and assists. Other names to keep an eye on are 6-foot-4 senior forward MJ McCalla, and 6-foot senior sharpshooting guard Tucker Fox, who was the hero in last season’s semifinal win over North Tampa Christian Academy.

The Impact Christian Academy Lions (27-4) return to the Final Four for the second consecutive season. This time, having the semifinals and championships in their own backyard. The Lions played a game earlier this season at UNF Arena, when they came up short to cross-town Providence, who is representing in the 2A semifinals, 59-57, back on January 30. The Lions’ defense has also been stifling throughout the postseason, where they have allowed an average of 40.6 points per game. Leading the way this season for Impact Christian Academy has been 5-foot-10 senior guard Ronald Clark, 6-foot-6 senior forward Frandy Perez, and 6-foot-2 senior guard Jeremiah Jones, who is the son of Head Coach Benjamin Jones, who is in his 10th season with the Lions, after serving as the head coach at Ed White High School from 2012 to 2016.

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