Way Too Early Top 8: Projecting Florida's Open Division

<p>When the FHSAA announced the open division, I asked a simple question: <em>What would the Open Division have looked like if it existed during the 2025-26 season?</em></p>   <p>The answer produced a loaded hypothetical field featuring eight teams that had either won a state championship or made a deep run at the end of the season. It was a glimpse of what this new format could look like and a reminder of just how much elite talent still exists across the FHSAA. This season, the hypothetical will become reality.</p>   <p>The 2026-27 season will be the first time Florida's best FHSAA teams have the opportunity to compete for a championship regardless of classification. There will be no looking back at final rankings or wondering what might have happened if two powerhouse programs had met. The Open Division will give those teams a chance to settle it on the court.</p>   <p>Of course, we're still months away from knowing which eight teams will ultimately earn a spot. Rosters will change, players will emerge, injuries will happen, and the FHSAA Power Rankings (by MaxPreps) will ultimately determine the field once district tournaments conclude. But with the offseason roster movement beginning to take shape, we can start to identify the programs that could be in the conversation.</p>   <p>This is <em>not</em> meant to say these eight teams are definitively the eight best teams in Florida. The pool of contenders is deep, the level of parity is high, and there are plenty of programs capable of forcing their way into the conversation. This is simply a projection based on what we know right now.</p>   <p>And perhaps most importantly, a team missing from this list isn't missing out on a championship opportunity. The traditional classification championships remain in place, meaning teams that don't make the Open Division will still have a chance to compete for a state title within their respective classifications.</p>   <p>So, before the season tips, who are the teams I believe could have a legitimate shot at making the inaugural FHSAA Open Division?</p>   <p>With that disclaimer out of the way, here is my way too early Top 8. (Yes, I expect to take some heat for this and provide some bulletin board material)</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Locks</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Miami Country Day</h3>   <p>If we're talking about teams that feel like the safest bets to make the inaugural Open Division, Miami Country Day is at the top of the list.</p>   <p>The Spartans are coming off another state championship and have established themselves as one of the most consistent programs in Florida. Their combination of championship pedigree, talent, leadership, and the ability to compete regardless of classification makes them an obvious early contender for one of the eight spots.</p>   <p>Miami Country Day was also part of our hypothetical Open Division field last season, and the program has done nothing to fall out of that conversation entering 2026-27.</p>   <p><em>Key players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='214184' first='Jalynn' last='Belton'], [player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge'], [player_tooltip player_id='219786' first='Kennedy' last='Deal'], [player_tooltip player_id='1452324' first='TJ' last='Ariche'], [player_tooltip player_id='248376' first='Arianna' last='Robinson'], [player_tooltip player_id='221605' first='Alyssa' last='Hill']</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Grandview Prep</h3>   <p>Grandview Prep is another program that feels almost impossible to leave out of the early picture.</p>   <p>The Pride have built one of the strongest championship résumés in the state in recent years and have consistently shown that their level of play extends well beyond their classification. Grandview will have to account for roster changes like everyone else, but the program's track record and build chemistry amongst their reloaded roster keep them firmly among the teams we expect to be in the mix.</p>   <p>If the question is simply, <em>“Who are the teams we feel most confident will have a shot at the Open Division?” </em>Miami Country Day and Grandview are the first two names that come to mind.</p>   <p><em>Key players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='515089' first='Ameera' last='Koné'], [player_tooltip player_id='243916' first='Victoria' last='Valle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235125' first='Tyaiwana' last='Ousley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1134044' first='Ke'Nya' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1810875' first='Jada' last='Koné'], [player_tooltip player_id='1250000' first='Jada' last='Burns']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Next Six</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Cardinal Mooney</h3>   <p>Cardinal Mooney is one of the teams that makes this list especially interesting because of the overall strength of the program and the talent it brings into the new season.</p>   <p>The Cougars have the pieces to compete at a high level and should have plenty of opportunities to build the résumé necessary for an Open Division selection. If the roster comes together the way we expect, Cardinal Mooney could be one of the teams that makes the final eight a very difficult group to crack.</p>   <p><em>Key Players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='823892' first='Jadyn' last='Watts'], [player_tooltip player_id='972357' first='Jayla' last='Griffin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1244109' first='Aliah' last='Newsome'], [player_tooltip player_id='973912' first='Emily' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1036691' first='Ava' last='Bruno'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249997' first='Faith' last='Palao'], [player_tooltip player_id='1831994' first='Daynah' last='Anglin']</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Somerset Academy Canyons</h3>   <p>Somerset Academy Canyons may be the easiest team to justify based on what happened last season.</p>   <p>The Cougars are coming off a 3A state championship and were one of the eight teams included in our hypothetical Open Division field for 2025-26. A state championship résumé combined with the program's ability to compete outside of its classification keeps Somerset firmly in the early field.</p>   <p><em>Key Players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='248355' first='Alana' last='Pinnock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1134047' first='Delanie' last='Doty'], [player_tooltip player_id='742503' first='Alanna' last='Fabrini'], </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. Bishop Moore</h3>   <p>Bishop Moore is another program that has earned a spot in the early conversation.</p>   <p>The Hornets have consistently been one of the stronger programs in Florida and have the type of talent and depth that could allow them to compete with teams from any classification. With the Open Division creating a new pathway for the state's best teams to meet, Bishop Moore has a legitimate opportunity to put itself in that group.</p>   <p><em>Key Players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='727591' first='Jaiden' last='Peterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='738515' first='Kylee' last='Trent'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235154' first='Lillian' last='Mathis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235067' first='Malayah' last='Rypien'], [player_tooltip player_id='1122373' first='Ashlynn' last='Day'] (will be out with injury but still a leader on this team)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6. Bishop Kenny</h3>   <p>Bishop Kenny rounds out another group of programs that should have its sights set on the Open Division.</p>   <p>The Crusaders have the talent and program strength to make a run at one of the eight spots, and their ability to compete against quality competition will be important as the season develops. They are one of several teams on this list where the résumé will have plenty of opportunities to grow before the Open Division field is ultimately selected.</p>   <p><em>Key Players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='515064' first='Kathleen' last='Crawley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1261851' first='Shea' last='Donovan'], [player_tooltip player_id='400811' first='Elle' last='Deegan'], [player_tooltip player_id='741734' first='Sienna' last='Williams'] (will be out with injury but still a leader on this team)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7. St. Thomas Aquinas</h3>   <p>It is difficult to talk about the top programs in Florida without bringing up St. Thomas Aquinas.</p>   <p>The Raiders were part of our projected Open Division field last season after winning a 6A state championship, and their continued presence near the top of the FHSAA landscape makes them an early candidate again.</p>   <p>St. Thomas Aquinas has the program history, talent and experience to handle the pressure that comes with playing against the best teams in the state. That makes the Raiders a team we expect to be in the mix throughout the season.</p>   <p><em>Key Players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='1092442' first='London' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='248374' first='Catalina' last='LaFreniere'], [player_tooltip player_id='515006' first='Rachael' last='Luis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361790' first='Tyla' last='Mori']</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8. American Heritage</h3>   <p>American Heritage slides into the final spot because the Patriots have a chemistry that could make them a difficult matchup against anyone in the state.</p>   <p>They have size, guard play and perimeter shooting, and options across the floor with the ability to attack teams in different ways. Just as important, this is a group that plays with strong fluidity which could become a major factor when the competition ramps up. At this stage, American Heritage gets the nod for No. 8.</p>   <p><em>Key players:</em> [player_tooltip player_id='221593' first='Yinuo' last='Wang'], [player_tooltip player_id='515003' first='Isabella' last='Aloisio'], [player_tooltip player_id='1613666' first='Sarah-Renee' last='Ingraham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1502687' first='Kristijana' last='Carattini'], [player_tooltip player_id='1873197' first='Emani' last='Joseph']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bubble</h2>   <p>And this is where things get really interesting.</p>   <p>The gap between the teams inside the Top 8 and the teams immediately outside it is not particularly large. <strong>Doral, Holy Trinity, Lake Highland Prep, Lincoln Park, </strong>and<strong> Zephyrhills Christian</strong> are all teams that can make a legitimate argument for inclusion.</p>   <p>There are also other programs that could emerge once the season gets underway like Polk County Powerhouse <strong>Winter Haven</strong> or a team like <strong>Miami Christian</strong> with solid international pieces. You can never count out teams like <strong>Blanche Ely</strong>, <strong>Colonial</strong>, or <strong>New Smyrna Beach</strong> either.</p>   <p>That's what makes this such a difficult projection. The inaugural Open Division is not going to be made up of eight teams sitting on an island above everyone else. There is going to be a deep group of teams fighting for those spots, and a few months of basketball can completely change the conversation.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Doral Academy</h3>   <p>Doral makes a strong case based on both recent results and its ability to compete on the biggest stages. The program is coming off a 7A state championship and has the type of roster and competitive résumé that could translate well to an Open Division setting. The Firebirds were also part of last year's hypothetical field, and another strong season would put the program in position to make the inaugural Open Division a reality.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Trinity</h3>   <p>Holy Trinity is another team that deserves to be on the radar. The Tigers have the program strength to compete for a state championship in their classification while also potentially building an Open Division résumé along the way as they never dodge competition.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lake Highland Prep</h3>   <p>Lake Highland Prep was part of our hypothetical Open Division field last season after reaching the 3A state championship game. That alone makes the Highlanders difficult to overlook. They remain one of the programs capable of making a deep run and could quickly move from the bubble into the field with a strong start.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lincoln Park</h3>   <p>Lincoln Park is another team that could make the picture much more crowded. The ability to compete against strong opponents and build quality wins will be important, and the Lions have an opportunity to put themselves into the conversation as the season develops.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zephyrhills Christian</h3>   <p>Zephyrhills Christian is one of the more intriguing teams on the outside looking in as a new member of the FHSAA. The program has the talent to compete with some of the state's best and could absolutely make a push for one of the eight spots.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Bottom Line</h2>   <p>If the Open Division started today, these would be the eight teams we'd put into the field:</p>   <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Miami Country Day</li>   <li>Grandview Prep</li>   <li>Cardinal Mooney</li>   <li>Somerset Academy Canyons</li>   <li>Bishop Moore</li>   <li>Bishop Kenny</li>   <li>St. Thomas Aquinas</li>   <li>American Heritage</li> </ol>   <p>But there is a reason we're calling this way too early.</p>   <p>The FHSAA will ultimately determine the Open Division field through its Power Rankings following district tournaments. That means there is an entire season for these teams to prove themselves, for bubble teams to jump into the picture, and for teams we aren't talking about yet to emerge.</p>   <p>And that is exactly what makes the first Open Division so exciting. For years, Florida girls basketball has debated which classification produced the state's best team. Now, the FHSAA is giving the best programs an opportunity to settle that question on the court. </p>   <p>There will be only eight spots. There will be plenty of teams that deserve consideration. And there will almost certainly be some very good teams left out.</p>   <p>But those teams won't be without a championship opportunity. The traditional classification postseason will continue, meaning programs outside the Open Division will still have their own path to a state championship.</p>   <p>For now, these are my eight. By February, I expect this list to look different.</p>

When the FHSAA announced the open division, I asked a simple question: What would the Open Division have looked like if it existed during the 2025-26 season?

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Way Too Early Top 8: Projecting Florida’s Open Division

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