Florida’s Deepest Classification? Class 4A Has Plenty to Offer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there is one classification that could make for the most competitive race in Florida girls basketball, it is Class 4A. The field is loaded with established programs, returning talent, and teams capable of making a serious postseason push. With several programs having legitimate championship aspirations, separating from the pack will be no easy task. The new Open Division adds another layer to the picture, but the traditional Class 4A race should be one of the most intriguing to follow this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teams to watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Heritage (Plantation)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 17–9 | Class 4A Final Four</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>American Heritage continues to be one of the state's most consistent programs after reaching the Class 4A Final Four for the 10th consecutive season. The Patriots return a lot of their group and have the chemistry and unselfishness to make another deep postseason run. Their ability to play together and get contributions throughout the roster will be important as they look to take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='515003' first='Isabella' last='Aloisio'], [player_tooltip player_id='221593' first='Yinuo' last='Wang'], [player_tooltip player_id='1502687' first='Kristijana' last='Carattini'], [player_tooltip player_id='1613666' first='Sarah-Renee' last='Ingraham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1873197' first='Emani' last='Joseph'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231007' first='Zoe' last='Rowe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1874323' first='Varvara' last='Rodzik']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Kenny</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 28–4 | Class 4A State Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Kenny enters the season as the defending state champion and brings back nearly its entire group. The Crusaders have one of the top senior shooters in both the classification and the state, along with a solid backcourt that combines quickness with the ability to score from the perimeter. Their defensive ability to disrupt opponents and dictate tempo makes them especially difficult to deal with. With so much returning experience, Bishop Kenny has a strong opportunity to defend its title or attempt for an Open Division Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='515064' first='Kathleen' last='Crawley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1261851' first='Shea' last='Donovan'], [player_tooltip player_id='515067' first='Makala' last='DesJarlais'], [player_tooltip player_id='400811' first='Elle' last='Deegan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bishop Moore</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 25–5 | Class 4A State Runner-up</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Moore is coming off a 25-win season that ended with a state championship loss to Bishop Kenny. The Hornets return the bulk of their roster and have an intriguing combination of strong guard play, size, and length throughout the lineup. With valuable experience from last year's postseason run and plenty of familiar faces returning, Bishop Moore will have its sights set on getting back to Jacksonville and finishing the job this time around in whatever postseason format they find themselves in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [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='248380' first='Aaliyah' last='Figueroa']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Blanche Ely</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 21–6 | Class 5A State Runner-up</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanche Ely moves into Class 4A after reaching the Class 5A state championship game last season. The Tigers graduate a couple of contributors but have enough depth to give other players opportunities to step into larger roles. This is a program that is never intimidated by its competition and consistently brings a tough matchup for anyone across the state. Blanche Ely has the talent and experience to immediately become one of the classification's leading contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1249764' first='Aniyah' last='Gooden'], [player_tooltip player_id='470397' first='Sariyah' last='Sabb'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242772' first='Maiyah' last='Standifer'], [player_tooltip player_id='248372' first='Janiya' last='Dennis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1380638' first='Janecia' last='Parrish']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ribault</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 18–9</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ribault will have a different look this season with several new additions joining a group that returns its leading scorer. There could be some growing pains as the Trojans work to establish their identity and find the right chemistry, but the talent is there to compete with the best in Class 4A. Ribault and Bishop Kenny could be two of the top programs in the Jacksonville area, setting up the possibility of an important postseason meeting between the two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='221598' first='Trinity' last='Berry'], [player_tooltip player_id='400817' first='Londyn' last='Tatum'], [player_tooltip player_id='400818' first='Kennedi' last='Tatum'], [player_tooltip player_id='1003136' first='Skylar' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1003101' first='Gabrielle' last='Mallory'], [player_tooltip player_id='1118790' first='Kamya' last='Leroy']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Smyrna Beach</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 19–9</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Smyrna Beach came within two points of knocking off eventual state champion Bishop Kenny last season and returns much of its group with an opportunity to build on that performance. The Barracudas also have one of top seniors in the Class 4A field, giving them a strong foundation to compete with the classification's best. With several established pieces returning alongside new additions, New Smyrna Beach has the potential to make another deep postseason push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='721469' first='Iniya' last='Reddicks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1223184' first='Riley' last='France'], [player_tooltip player_id='1236237' first='Brooklin' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1261307' first='Zoe' last='Haywood'], [player_tooltip player_id='1865626' first='Jayda' last='Owens'], [player_tooltip player_id='1279711' first='Myla' last='Duber']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Booker T. Washington</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>2025–26 record: 24–3 | Class 5A State Champion</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Booker T. Washington moves into Class 4A after capturing the Class 5A state championship with a 24–3 record last season. The Wildcats have some big shoes to fill with their top two players gone through graduation and transfer, but there are still plenty of pieces to build around. Strong guard play and the addition of size give them a foundation to remain competitive, while the experience of making a championship run should prove valuable. It will be interesting to see how this group follows up such a successful season with a different look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players to watch: [player_tooltip player_id='741323' first='Nylah' last='Brooks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1237196' first='Kalyn' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1871607' first='Leah' last='Brooks']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other teams to watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beyond the contenders above,<strong> Booker (Sarasota), Clearwater, East Bay, St. Petersburg, Ed White, Mater Lakes,</strong> and <strong>Port Charlotte</strong> are additional programs worth monitoring as the season unfolds. Each has an opportunity to establish itself in a loaded Class 4A field, and a strong start could help any of them emerge as a legitimate postseason threat. Who else will be looking to surprise me and the rest of the state?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->