These six student-athletes from Central Florida are primed for big accomplishments during the upcoming winter sports season.

Brooks Jaffe, Lake Highland Prep boys soccer

A senior forward/midfielder, Jaffe had 13 goals and 13 assists last year to help the Highlanders post a 14-3-1 record. He is a captain and key playmaker for a team with state championship aspirations and is currently being recruited by several college programs.

OFM: Is it hard to believe that you’re heading into your final season at Lake Highland Prep?

BJ: It’s crazy that it’s here. It’s right around the corner and I’m super excited.

OFM: What are your goals for the season?

BJ: I think the initial goal is obviously for us to make it back to the state finals like we did our sophomore year. Our goal is also to have a well-rounded team with consistency and to be together as a family. That’s most important to us because, in high school soccer especially, we thrive on that passion.

OFM: Are you motivated by reaching the state final as a sophomore and coming up short?

BJ: Of course. Coming that close made everybody on the team push harder last year and this year. … For three-fourths of our team this is our senior year, so we’re going to leave it all out on the field.

OFM: I’m guessing you don’t want to see a playoff game come down to penalty kicks again after losing that way the last two years.

BJ: No, not at all. [Laughs] We’ve been a little unlucky so hopefully we can just put it away before it gets to that point. We lost in the state finals 11-10 on penalties, and then last year we lost 4-3 on penalties.

OFM: How did you first get into soccer?

BJ: I’ve been playing soccer ever since I could walk, and I’ve been playing club soccer for 10-plus years. It’s always been my favorite sport and it’s always been my passion.

OFM: I know you previously played in MLS NEXT. How was the experience?

BJ: I played two years in MLS NEXT at Orlando City Seminole, which is now called Seminole United. That was the first time in my career where I really felt myself growing and I became a way better player than I was. I transferred to play for the Florida Kraze Krush so that I would also be able to play for my high school, and also to get more college exposure through ECNL.

OFM: What do you like about playing high school soccer?

BJ: There’s something about playing for your school. It’s something special that I feel everyone should experience. Personally, I love playing high school soccer and I know my friends who play at other schools are also pumped. It’s the best time of the school year and it makes school go by fast. You play two games a week and you get to wear your school logo and make your teachers and friends proud.

OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?

BJ: Not yet. I’m uncommitted and I’m still pushing to play D-I. I received my first D-II offer the other day.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

BJ: I’m going to study business and finance. My dad owns The Jaffe Corporation, which he and his dad run, and they own shopping centers. Maybe one day I can join the family business.

OFM: What are you looking for in a school?

BJ: I’m looking for the best soccer program and a coach who thinks I can fit into their program, as well as a strong all-around college.

OFM: Do you want to stay close to home?

BJ: No, I want to get out of Florida. I’ve lived here my whole life and I can’t really deal with the heat anymore. I’m trying to find somewhere cooler, so I’m looking in the Northeast.

OFM: So you don’t like the heat, but what do you like about growing up in Florida?

BJ: Growing up in Florida, I’ve always been so close to my friends and we could bike around. Some of my best friends are just blocks away. I would also highlight that we’re close to the beach. Not many kids get to experience that and I think that’s also special.

OFM: What else do you do for fun?

BJ: When I’m not playing soccer, I’m a real social kid. I have a bunch of friends that I’m always with. I play guitar and I love music, and that’s also a big part of my life. My dad was a musician so he inspires me in music. My other hobbies are golfing and a little bit of surfing.

OFM: What kind of music are you into?

BJ: I don’t know what the genre is called, but the guitar is my favorite instrument and I love Noah Kahan. I guess it’s folk. I went to his concert at the Kia Center and it was awesome.

OFM: Do you enjoy watching soccer as well?

BJ: Yes. I have season tickets to Orlando City and I watch a little bit of the Premier League.

OFM: Did you get into the World Cup this past summer?

BJ: Yeah, of course. I think I watched almost every game. I was so into the World Cup this year. Since it was in the summertime, being able to go watch with a bunch of guys and then go do something after was a highlight.

Bianca Hall, The First Academy girls basketball

A senior guard, Hall has established herself as one of the best all-around players in the region. She averaged 20 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a junior and enters her final season with 1,277 career points. She is committed to East Tennessee State University.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season?

BH: Yes, sir, but it’s like 50-50. This is my fifth year with this team so I’m sad that I’m going to be leaving them, but I’m also excited because I think we’re going to be able to get over the hump that we haven’t been able to get over.

OFM: What goals do you have for yourself and the team this year?

BH: For myself, I want to get my decision making to the point where nine out of 10 times, I’m making the right decision. I can score when I want to score, but I also want to get my teammates involved and elevate everyone around me as a point guard. For the team, we’ve been talking a lot about not outcome-based goals like winning a state championship, but just doing what we need to do as a team. If we do what we need to do, then the outcome will be success. We have to work hard every day in practice and have the mindset of pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.

OFM: What parts of your game did you work on in the offseason?

BH: This summer we did a lot of ball screen work, because obviously that’s a big thing in college. I also focused on keeping my shooting sharp and doing a lot of maintenance things.

OFM: For someone who is used to having the ball in your hands, I think you also move really well without the ball.

BH: Thank you. The summer going into my sophomore year, me and my dad studied a lot of film of Steph Curry, and then I would go out on the court and try to do the same thing. He moves so well without the ball and that’s how he gets his shot off a lot of times. I think a huge part of my game is being able to score off cuts and things like that.

OFM: Have you always been a point guard?

BH: Yes, sir. I also play a lot of combo guard, because like you said I can move without the ball. But I like to facilitate.

OFM: Did your dad Kevin, who is also your head coach, get you into the sport at a young age?

BH: He’s been a coach my whole life—he coached college when I was young—so I kind of grew up in the gym. In sixth grade, I really started to like it and we trained a lot. In eighth grade, I started playing varsity and it took off for me.

OFM: What’s it like to play for your dad? Do you ever have battles on the court?

BH: [Laughs] My standards for myself and his standards for me are both really high, so sometimes it’s challenging. If I’m not meeting that standard, he’s going to make sure I get my head back in the game and play how I’m capable of playing. But we bond over it a lot. We both love it and I think it’s great that we’re on this journey together. We’re very similar, we get along, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

OFM: You even have the same birthday, right?

BH: Yes, sir, we do.

OFM: Do you think it’s going to be weird playing for a different coach next year in college?

BH: It’s definitely going to be weird. In eighth grade I had another AAU coach and that was a little bit different. It will be different not hearing his voice at practice.

OFM: What led you to commit to East Tennessee State?

BH: I liked [head coach Brenda Mock Brown] and all of the coaches were really nice. I’ve worked really hard, so I wanted to have the opportunity to see what I can do at the Division I level and test myself. I know going in that it’s going to be really hard, but I want to prove myself.

OFM: You mentioned Steph Curry earlier. Are there any other players in the men’s or women’s game who you like to watch and model yourself after?

BH: Georgia Amoore, who played for Kentucky, is somebody I really like to watch. She’s short like I am, but she can get her shot off whenever she wants to and she’s also a master at ball screens.

OFM: Do you feel that Central Florida is starting to become known for the great basketball it is producing?

BH: Yes, sir. I feel like there are a lot of teams around here that have gotten better and our competition is very good.

OFM: Do you know what you’re going to study in college?

BH: I’m thinking business or sports management. I want to coach after I’m done playing, so I think business or sports management gives me a good platform to go do that. I would also like to go play overseas, because I just love basketball and I can see it in my future. I think coaching with my dad after I’m done playing would be so cool.

OFM: What are some of your other interests when you get a break from basketball?

BH: Being with my family is a huge thing—we have a close, tight-knit family. We like to go out together and do things, whether it’s going to the beach or just taking a mini road trip.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?

BH: No, we’ve actually moved around a lot. I’m originally from Tennessee, but then we moved to Georgia, back to Tennessee, to Florida. We’ve been all over but Florida is where I’ve been the most. We go back to Tennessee every year because my dad’s parents still live there.

OFM: What do you like about going to school at The First Academy?

BH: I like that it’s small because that helps you get to know everybody in your grade and you also know all of your teachers. It’s a small community compared to a school like Dr. Phillips.

OFM: Do you have any pregame rituals or music you like to listen to before a big game?

BH: I like to pray before games because I get nervous and it helps to calm my nerves. I ask God to help me know that the work I’ve put in is going to show up. I’m not a huge music person before games—sometimes I’ll listen, but not every game.

OFM: Do you have a favorite basketball movie?

BH: Ooh. I actually have never watched Love & Basketball, but everybody says that’s the best one. So I don’t really know, actually.

Lola Rey, Montverde Academy girls soccer

Rey, a senior midfielder, scored 27 goals and assisted on seven others during a memorable junior season in which she led the Eagles to their third state championship in the past four years. A Georgia State commit, she has 44 career goals and counting.

OFM: What’s your favorite memory from last season?

LR: I would say the championship game. The atmosphere and the crowd was a great addition to the big game, and being able to score the tiebreaking goal was very special. [I loved] celebrating with my team afterwards.

OFM: I know you’ve been with the team since eighth grade, but you really seemed to reach another level last year. Did you expect to have that kind of impact?

LR: I didn’t expect it. I try to keep my expectations not too high before games, but once you get one [goal], you just continue to contribute to the win and to the team.

OFM: Is it your goal to win another state title this year?

LR: Yes, of course. Another ring would be nice, especially since it’s my senior year. It would be really nice to end it off on a great note.

OFM: Do you feel like you have a target on your back, with every team trying to take Montverde down?

LR: Yes, and sometimes it’s hard, but at the same time it’s more exciting because we go into a game knowing we’re the favorites and we want to prove ourselves as the favorites. We want to carry on the legacy that Montverde has had for years.

OFM: How long have you been at Montverde Academy?

LR: I’ve been here for 13 years—I started in kindergarten.

OFM: Has it sunk in yet that your time there is almost over?

LR: It’s definitely sunk in, but I’m trying not to count the days because it’s been my second home. I’m sad that it’s going to come to an end, and I’m a sentimental person, so if I really think about it I get sentimental about it. I’m just trying to go day by day, enjoy every day, and make the most of every opportunity that I have at the school and with the team.

OFM: How did you first get into soccer?

LR: My dad is from Argentina and soccer is a big component in my dad’s family and in our family. A big idol of mine was [Lionel] Messi and my dad would always watch the Argentina games. I started following Messi when I was younger and I realized that soccer was something I enjoyed. I continued to grow as a player and enjoyed seeing that improvement.

OFM: Argentina almost won the World Cup again this past summer. Was it fun for you to watch the run to the final?

LR: Yes, it was a lot of fun, especially since this was expected to be Messi’s last World Cup. I got to watch it with my dad, my family and my extended family.

OFM: You played for the U17 Argentina National Team. What did that mean to you?

LR: Honestly, I grew as a person and as a player. The intensity over there is great and it was a life experience that helped me develop. I did take a lot of pride in representing a country that I’m not from but that I do hold deeply in my heart. I love Argentina.

OFM: Have you visited Argentina a lot growing up?

LR: When I was younger I didn’t go much because it was hard with my two other siblings, but I’ve been traveling to Argentina by myself quite a bit these past few years.

OFM: What do you like about the culture?

LR: The culture is great. … A big part of the love I have for the country is their passion. It’s a great country overall that I enjoy and hope to represent further in the future.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?

LR: There’s a lot to do in Central Florida and they have great facilities, especially here at Montverde, which is like no other. Growing up in Florida has been great. I don’t mind the weather because I actually like the heat and I’m grateful that it doesn’t get freezing cold.

OFM: What do you do for fun when you’re taking a break from soccer?

LR: A lot of the time I’m spending time with my family, because that’s a big value of mine, but I also like to spend time with my friends shopping. I really like to bake, too. I also like talking to a lot of people and continuing to grow relationships with teammates and friends.

OFM: I’m sure you meet people from all over the world at Montverde. Is that an interesting part of the experience of going to school there?

LR: Yes. That’s honestly what I enjoy the most about it. I can ask people about their country and learn more about all the different cultures. … I think it makes our relationships a lot closer. They get to experience a bit of our country, but at the same time we get to understand and know about them. 

OFM: What made you want to commit to Georgia State?

LR: Georgia State is in the middle of Atlanta, where there’s a lot to do. I’m big on health and food so there’s a lot of options for me there, and the soccer resembles what we do here at Montverde: a lot of possession and exploiting the spaces when the opponents give us that opportunity. The coaching staff really reminded me of a mixture of all the coaches I’ve had in the past and currently. I felt immediately accepted and at home there.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

LR: I want to study psychology. I took an AP psychology class last year, and I’ve spoken to therapists in the past. I’ve always wanted to help people, specifically in the body, and narrowing it down to the brain so I can help people with their mental state is something that I’m really interested in.

Mekialla Mauvais, Freedom girls wrestling

Mauvais, a senior, is one of five returning state placewinners for Freedom, the premier girls wrestling program in the area. She placed third in the 235-pound weight class after winning district and regional titles, and is poised for a big final campaign.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season?

MM: Yes, I’m really excited for this season, especially with the group of girls that we have. I’m excited to see the new challenges and what we’re able to accomplish this year.

OFM: Do you have any particular goals for yourself or the team?

MM: Obviously, to become [an individual] state champ and for our team to win a state championship. But honestly, I just want to focus on my skills, get better at them, and improve for college.

OFM: What stands out as your favorite memory from last year?

MM: It would have to be winning the state championship with my girls and knockouts, because people told me that I wouldn’t be able to upset [Kenzie] Barrett again, and I did.

OFM: Did you work on anything specifically in the offseason?

MM: Getting stronger and faster.

OFM: How did you get into wrestling in the first place?

MM: My coach, Dave Bush … said to me, ‘You look like you would be a very good wrestler.’ I thought I was going to have a normal freshman year and then I started wrestling and I said to myself, ‘What the heck am I doing?’

OFM: It turned out to be a great decision though.

MM: Yes. Honestly, I’m really grateful because this [team] is like a second family to me and it just came natural to me.

OFM: It’s such a challenging sport and one where you’re out there on your own. What do you like about it?

MM: For me, I know when I step on the mat that I’m never alone because I have my coaches in my corner and I also have my team cheering me on and helping me get through the mental battles. You never feel alone, because you always have someone to talk to or cheer you on from the sidelines.

OFM: What did your family and friends think about you taking up wrestling?

MM: They were not happy at first, but then they saw how good I was and they thought, ‘OK, maybe she can actually get somewhere with this sport.’

OFM: Do you play any other sports?

MM: No. I did shot put in middle school and [coach Bush] made me run cross country.

OFM: Are you looking to wrestle in college?

MM: Yes. The process is going good, but it’s weird getting texts from coaches you never expected to hear from. They say, ‘I saw your wrestling match, I think you’re so good, come on a visit and practice with us.’

OFM: What qualities are you looking for in a college?

MM: I want something similar to the wrestling team I have now, where it’s a tight-knit family. I’m also looking for a school with my major or my second option. I want to do nursing and the other option is ultrasound tech or radiology. My mom’s a nurse so I want to follow in her footsteps.

OFM: What’s it like to be part of an elite wrestling program that other teams are looking to take down?

MM: I 100% think that we are the best and I like that we have integrity. Every day we face challenges and our practices are basically like college practices. If we’re not doing tough matches, we’re doing tough routines. Being part of the Freedom Patriots is a great thing to be a part of because you have coaches who will fight for you and coaches who will do strength training for you. This is a great place to be a part of.

OFM: What other hobbies do you have?

MM: I like painting and baking. I like doing portraits and I also paint landscapes, and [I like baking] cupcakes.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?

MM: I like how the places you go are friendly and everything is close by. I can walk to Wawa right now or to Walgreen’s. Me and my family are Universal pass-holders and we’re also Sea World pass-holders.

Bryce Hoffert, Windermere boys basketball

A 6-foot-6 senior who can play multiple positions, Hoffert showed off his versatility last season by averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Wolverines. He will continue his career next year at the University of Tampa.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season and do you have any specific goals?

BH: Oh yeah, I can’t wait for it. We’re all just pushing each other to see how far we can go this year and enjoy one last ride, but also trying to get as much out of it as we can.

OFM: Is there a lot of potential with the group coming back?

BH: Oh, 100%. We had quite a few people who left last year, but with the group we have heading into the season we definitely have a good chance to do a lot of damage.

OFM: Is there anything in particular you worked on during the offseason?

BH: Throughout the summer I was improving or fine-tuning my skills and also just increasing strength a ton. I wanted to put on as much strength as I could from the year before.

OFM: Your junior season was a breakout campaign for you personally. Were you confident you could make that leap?

BH: Yeah, for sure. With the group we had last year, it was pretty simple for me to step in. We had been together for a while and the coaches trusted us. It was a good situation for us to step in and have success in.

OFM: Are you trying to be a vocal leader as a senior, and are you the type to get in someone’s face if they need to be motivated?

BH: Yes, if need be. I’m just pushing these guys and telling them how all of us can improve. It’s been beneficial because we have people who will do the same for me. It will be good for me to push them and for them to push me, and that’s what I like about this group.

OFM: How did you first get into basketball?

BH: I would have to say through my parents, because they both played at the college level. They definitely supported me through my early basketball journey.

OFM: Do you have any siblings?

BH: I have a younger sister who is in eighth grade this year. She’s more of a volleyball player.

OFM: What made you want to commit to the University of Tampa?

BH: The decision was definitely difficult, but I felt Tampa was the best option for being able to play at a high level in college and have success, but also to get a great education and the path I was looking for through finance. It was a great situation to be in for both playing and learning.

OFM: So you’re going to major in finance?

BH: Yes, I believe that’s what I’m going to pursue. I’m more of a math guy in general so it’s up my alley.

OFM: Tampa is not too far from home, either. Is it appealing that your parents will be able to see a lot of games?

BH: For sure. They love coming to my games, and so does my family outside of my parents. Staying relatively close to home was important.

OFM: Do you watch a lot of basketball?

BH: I don’t get to watch it too much, but I enjoy the games when I’m able to turn the TV on and find a good one.

OFM: Do you have any players you like to watch or steal moves from?

BH: Not really any specific guys, but I do enjoy seeing how some people move without the ball or just their overall feel for the game. I like seeing how they see the floor rather than certain moves or styles.

OFM: There was a time when a guy with your size would just be thrown down in the paint. Are you happy to play during an era when even big guys are expected to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter?

BH: For sure. I enjoy posting up on the inside and being able to play down there, but it’s definitely enjoyable being able to play inside-out and being able to bring the ball up and play at all levels.

OFM: What else do you do for fun away from basketball?

BH: Honestly, I don’t get much of a break from basketball. I’m either in the gym for a game or practice, or just getting shots up on the weekend. Other than that it’s just lifting and preparing my body for the next day.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?

BH: Yes, I’ve been here my entire life. I like the amount of stuff that’s in the area. There’s always something new popping up and it’s fun to try new and different things every week.

OFM: Do you have a favorite basketball movie?

BH: You can’t go wrong with the original Space Jam. That’s a classic.

Ajani Flanders, Boone wrestling

Flanders is coming off a memorable junior season in which he won over 30 matches, placed third at districts and regionals, and also reached the podium at 3A states with a fifth-place finish at 106 pounds. He has even loftier goals for his senior campaign.

OFM: What goals do you have for your final wrestling season?

AF: The No. 1 goal, obviously, is a state title. That’s been the biggest goal of mine for some time.  Some of the smaller goals I want to achieve, which would still be big feats, are to be Metro champion, district and regional champ of course, and honestly I just want to have some team growth. We have a lot of young guys on our team and I want to see them get comfortable. They might not have high-level success, but I just want them to be confident and comfortable.

OFM: Did the experience from states last year give you a lot of confidence, especially since now you know what to expect?

AF: Definitely. That was my first experience in the state tournament, so now that I’ve had that experience and reached the podium, I know what to expect going in there. My quarterfinal match last year was a tough match, and the guy ended up losing to the guy who won it all. Coming into those matches with confidence and knowing that I’ve been there before, I feel that will give me the edge and allow me to perform at the best of my abilities. I definitely think that will play a part in my success this season.

OFM: Do you know what weight you’re going to wrestle at?

AF: I’m still debating that right now. I put on a lot of weight, for sure, and I’ve been lifting a lot. I competed at 126 over the summer at some pretty big tournaments. Our team won Knockout Summer Slam and I wrestled at 126 there. I also went 126 for Disney Duals. I’m going to see where my weight ends up and I’m not going to cut too much this year—either 126 or 120 is where I’m going to be at. I’m still pretty lean and I feel good at this weight, and I just want to le my body adjust and do its thing.

OFM: You mentioned the younger guys on the team. Are you taking a leadership role and trying to be a mentor for them?

AF: Oh yeah, for sure. Last year I felt like that was one of the main things I wanted to contribute, but as the actual senior captain on the team now, I feel like it’s my priority. I just want to give them a good experience and make them feel like they can achieve what they put their minds to.

OFM: How did you get into the sport? Did you start at a young age?

AF: Actually, I was not young. A lot of people start young but I started freshman year. My cousin was a junior when I was coming into high school and he told me, ‘You should wrestle this year.’ I was a little iffy about it but I went out and ended up really liking it. He was the captain at the time and he helped me a lot. Somehow, I luckily made it to regionals but I lost pretty badly. I was determined [to improve] and I just put my head down and went to work. We spent all of the next summer training together and we had a mat at home. We were lifting consistently and training outside of practice, and I think that consistency helped me catch up. Starting so late I felt like I was behind, so the only thing I could do was work on it.

OFM: Wrestling is one of the toughest sports around. Do you like that if you make sacrifices in this sport and put in the time, you will see results?

AF: I do, and it’s helped me in other aspects of my life too. I would recommend this sport to anybody. I think it’s one of the greatest high school sports you can participate in. You have to work for what you want, because nothing is handed to you. It’s not a team sport in that you can’t blame your teammate for your performance, because it’s just you when you go out there versus another opponent who has the same goal as you. It makes you mentally stronger and it makes you have to work for what you want. Nobody likes getting beat up on the mat, I don’t think. [Laughs] So if you don’t like that, you have to work.

OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year? Are you hoping to wrestle in college?

AF: As of right now, I’m pretty set on the decision not to wrestle in college. As much as I love wrestling and what it’s done for me, I want to become a physician and the pre-med path is pretty rigorous. I don’t think it would be wise to balance pre-med with wrestling. I also want to stay in state and the in-state opportunities for wrestling aren’t as good as out of state. It’s going to take a lot of work to become a doctor, and I don’t think I would be able to balance and perform at the level I want to in both of those categories. High school has been hard enough, and both the schooling and the wrestling will be at a different level [in college].

OFM: Is medicine something you’ve thought about for a while, and is there a particular kind of doctor you’d like to be?

AF: I’ve been interested in medicine for the longest time. I’ve been in the Boone Academy of Health Science since freshman year and I got into the clinical rotations for senior year, so I’ve been at the hospital this semester and learning the different departments. It’s been a lot of fun. Right now I’m in imaging in the emergency department, so it’s been really cool dealing with some trauma X-ray patients and getting to see that firsthand. I’m looking into orthopedics and I think I would like to become an orthopedic surgeon. Obviously that can shift, but that’s where I’m at right now.

OFM: Have you ever watched The Pitt on HBO, about a hospital emergency room?

AF: I have not, but let me write that down.

OFM: What else do you do for fun?

AF: Free time has been a challenge, but I love to train and I would group the gym in with free time. I also love hanging out with friends and family, I love to go shopping and I love to cook as well. I’m a little bit of a chef and I make all kinds of dishes. Going on runs is pretty cool, and walking too. We’re in Florida where it’s flat, but I love hiking. I have a lot of outdoor hobbies when I get a chance, including going to the beach and doing all kinds of things there, like skimboarding.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?

AF: I have—born and raised in Orlando. There’s lots to do here.

OFM: How do you prepare for a big match?

AF: Honestly, it changes a lot. I’m always listening to something but I don’t have a go-to song. I put my headphones on, I get it going, I pace around and get some hops in, just to get myself moving. I don’t want to get too gassed out, but I want my blood flowing and I want to be mentally ready. In the past, my pre-match routine differed a lot, but as I’ve progressed I’ve focused more on preparing my body and preparing my mind. I want to go into matches confident and knowing that I’ve put the work in and all I have to do is lay it out. Wrestling is mainly a mental battle, so I just prepare myself mentally, have a strong mindset and know that I’m capable of what needs to get done.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Abimael “AB” Belleus, Evans: One of the top teams in the area is happy to welcome back this senior wing, who averaged 15 points and 4.6 rebounds as the Trojans finished as the 6A state runner-up last year.

Kyle Blair, The First Academy: Blair, a 6-foot-10 senior, averaged 12.6 points and 6.6 boards last year as the Royals went 19-11 and made it to the region final.

Oneal Delancy, Montverde Academy: A senior guard, Delancy averaged 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior to help the Eagles reach the championship game of the Chipotle High School Nationals. He is committed to Houston.

Julian Fox, Edgewater: Fox, a 6-4 guard, shot 38% from 3-point range and averaged 11.5 points last year as the Eagles posted an 18-10 record and advanced to the region semifinals.

Kaleb McPherson, Legacy Charter: McPherson is primed for a big junior season after knocking down 25 3-pointers and averaging 12 points as a sophomore.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sophia Leopoldino, Faith Christian: Still only a freshman, Leopoldino is coming off an impressive rookie season on the varsity team in which she poured in 21.2 points per game to go with 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 steals. 

Joba Oyedeji, Windermere Prep: A force in the paint, this junior forward averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 boards as a sophomore to help the Lakers go 15-11.

Jaiden Peterson, Bishop Moore: A junior point guard who can create for herself and her teammates, Peterson averaged 10.7 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals last year for the 25-5 Hornets.

Jordan Speller, Montverde Academy: Speller, a senior point guard, is the type of player who can help her team win in multiple ways. The UCF commit averaged 11.1 points, 5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals last year for an 18-4 squad.

BOYS SOCCER

Cooper Ball, Bishop Moore: Ball finished with 15 goals and 14 assists in his phenomenal freshman season to help the Hornets win the 4A state championship. The scary part for opponents is that coach Tom Hage says the sophomore is determined to surpass the high standard he set for himself.

Ryan Botyos, Cornerstone Charter Academy: A junior with impressive playmaking skills, Botyos scored a team-high 13 goals last year as Cornerstone posted a 12-3-2 record.

GIRLS SOCCER

Cami Cabito, Geneva: Opposing defenses must have a mark on Cabito at all times, but that doesn’t stop her from making an impact. She enters her junior season with 49 career goals after netting 29 as a sophomore.

Victoria Farias, Foundation Academy: Farias, a senior forward, has proven to be a dangerous playmaker who can make either score or set up her teammates. She has 32 goals and 14 assists over the past two seasons.

BOYS WRESTLING

Grady Isaacs, Lake Mary: A state placewinner the past two years, Isaacs took second at 215 pounds last season in 4A. He also won district and region titles during a 34-1 campaign.

Liam McGettigan and Shamus Regan, Lake Highland Prep: The Highlanders captured their second straight National Prep team title last season, and these two rising seniors played a big part. McGettigan, a Cornell commit, won the individual crown at 106 pounds while Regan, an Iowa commit, took home the championship at 132 pounds.

GIRLS WRESTLING

Sariah Forgione Franco, Cypress Creek: This senior enters her final high school season with a 93-30 career record after going 39-4 with district and regional titles and placing fourth at states at 145 pounds as a junior. She plans to wrestle in college and pursue a degree in criminal justice.

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

Claire Cushing, Trinity Prep: Cushing, a senior, claimed a district championship last year and holds multiple school records.

Viani Diaz-Eberhardt and Kacey Hopkins, The Master’s Academy: The Eagles are thrilled to welcome back both of these seniors, who are looking forward to defending their district and regional titles.