Meet some of Central Florida’s standout student-athletes who promise to make this winter sports season a memorable one thanks to their talent and determination.

Joe Philon, Montverde Academy boys basketball

A 6-foot-8 senior forward, Philon is ranked 38th in the nation by ESPN among 2026 prospects and is being recruited by the likes of Florida State, Minnesota and Texas A&M. He is excited to join new coach Steve Turner’s team at Montverde after averaging 17.4 points and 7.9 rebounds last year at Blake High School in Tampa.

OFM: How is your Montverde experience going so far?

JP: It’s been amazing. I have everything I need here, from school to the basketball side of it. Everyone has been completely there for me and I haven’t really needed to go outside of here to do anything I need to do. It’s been a great experience with all of these new coaches, Coach Turner and the rest of the guys. I’m really learning a lot and I feel like I’m getting better every day.

OFM: What made you want to be part of the tradition there, and was it a tough decision to leave your hometown?

JP: The biggest thing for me was opportunity. The names here, all the faces, everyone who has been through this program, it’s just top of the line. … Historically, it’s been one of the best schools nationally for basketball, and as a school in general, academic-wise it’s been a lot different as well. Compared to other schools across the nation, and really across the world, it’s hard to say no to an opportunity like this.

OFM: Montverde has a diverse, international student body. Have you been able to branch out and make some new friends?

JP: Definitely. Just walking around school, all the different accents and different cultures that you see, it’s eye-opening. Coming from a place where you really only see certain groups of people, you really get to branch out, understand different cultures and get more cultural knowledge.

OFM: What are you looking to accomplish this season?

JP: Personally, I want to win. If we’re playing good and we’re winning, everything else is going to come with that—camaraderie, the [college] looks. Chipotle Scholastic Nationals, that’s going to be the biggest stage possible, so if we get there, everything that I want out of myself and for the team is going to be there. As long as we win, we keep it together and play well as a team, it’s going to be a successful year for me.

OFM: How is the recruiting process going—are you tired of it yet, or are you still enjoying looking at the various schools and meeting different coaches?

JP: I’m blessed. Just to have the opportunity for any coach to talk to me has been amazing. I definitely wouldn’t say I’m getting tired of it or complain about it. I’m glad for all the coaches that I hear from and I think the recruiting process is going well. I’m running my own race, so I’m taking it slow and trying to figure out the school that is going to be a good fit for me for my future.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study in college?

JP: I want to go into something in the business field and learn about franchising and all of that type of stuff, and learn how to use my money to make more money. Anything in that field is something I am interested in.

OFM: Obviously, you want to play basketball for as long as you can and make it to the next level if possible. Defensive versatility is so big in college and the NBA right now, so is that something you feel will help you get to the pros?

JP: Defense is always going to be there for me, because that’s just effort. I’m going to play hard every night so that’s something I’m always going to bring to the table. But there are still things I need to work on defensively, and offensively I have miles and miles to go. That was also part of the reason for me coming here, to develop as a complete player, to learn the game and to learn how to play the right way. I definitely have things I need to work on: my shooting, I need to get stronger and my handle needs to get stronger.

OFM: Do you take pride in being able to guard multiple positions?

JP: Definitely. That’s what is going to keep me on the floor. Whoever the best player is, whether it’s the point guard or the five man, if we’re not stopping him then that’s who I want to guard. That’s the challenge I want every night.

OFM: Are there certain college or NBA players you like to watch or try to emulate?

JP: I wouldn’t say anybody in particular. Everybody in the league has their own things that they’re good at. To be a complete player, you need a little bit of everything. I watch the game in general more than a specific player, and I look at everybody’s best aspects to their game, like how [Kevin Durant] elevates on his shot or how players like [Andrew] Nembhard play both sides of the ball. I just pick something from everybody to try to build myself as a player.

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

JP: You can’t go wrong with a little [NBA] 2K [or] playing [other] video games. I like to fish as well and get outside. I play an indoor sport, so I have to get outside somehow. The other thing I like to do is read my Bible—it’s meditative for me, keeps me peaceful and keeps me calm. I work on my mind just as much as I work on my body.

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

JP: I was born and raised in Tampa, and for me that’s the best city to live in. There’s nothing I like better, so that’s what I’m going to ride with.

OFM: Have you been able to spend time in Orlando now that you’re closer?

JP: I’ve been out here over the years—in AAU I played in Orlando a lot when I was younger, so I was able to see the area. Being out here, I feel like the city of Montverde is more intimate than Orlando. It’s a smaller town, everybody is out walking around and waving, it’s peaceful. It’s been cool to be out here and experience a different city, a different landscape and to get a different perspective on life.

OFM: Do you have any pregame rituals, whether it’s listening to music or reading your Bible?

JP: Music is definitely something I listen to before the game. I like to get into the rhythm music rather than something fast-paced. That settles me down and gets my heart rate down. I don’t read my Bible per se, but I do like to pray before every game, just over my teammates, my coaches and the fans, to keep everybody in the gym safe and to keep basketball what it is—a sport.

OFM: Do you have a favorite basketball movie?
JP: I have to go with Love & Basketball, but Coach Carter is a close second.

Lael Hill. Lake Highland Prep girls soccer

Hill, a senior forward/midfielder, is one of the premier playmakers in the state, as evidenced by her 26 goals and 19 assists last year as she helped the Highlanders reach the 3A championship game. She is looking forward to a memorable final season before moving on to the University of Florida.

OFM: Do you have high hopes for your senior season?

LH: Yes. Last year was a heartbreaker [to lose 1-0 in the state final], but it should be fun. I’m excited to play my last year with all of my friends.

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

LH: There are so many. Getting to the state final, and just playing with those seniors who I had played with since my sophomore year. They hold a special place in my heart, for sure. It was just a great season overall. Everybody was so fun and there were no complaints whatsoever.

OFM: Do you feel like you have the potential to get back to the state final and change the outcome?

LH: Yeah, I really do. We still have a very strong team, even though we lost 12 seniors. We have a lot of young talent coming through, so we just have to get it working and we’ll be OK.

OFM: Do you have any personal goals?

LH: Last year I had 26 goals, so I’m going to try to push past that. I also want to encourage the younger players, because I know how it feels to be one of the younger people and having those seniors helped me a lot.

OFM: Do you play up top and in the midfield?

LH: In high school, I play a little bit of both. I play striker, but if he needs me in the middle, he’ll put me in the middle. I like both because at striker you score a lot of goals, and that’s the fun part, but at midfield you’re on the ball a lot. I actually love being on the ball and making the simple passes. They’re both really fun—I don’t have a preference, it’s just whatever the game needs.

OFM: Has soccer always been your main sport?

LH: Actually, no. I don’t think I started playing soccer until I was maybe 9. A lot of people start when they’re 3 or 4, but not me. I actually played golf and tennis, and I was going to take golf seriously until I started playing soccer. One day my parents said, ‘We signed you up for soccer.’ I’ve always been an athletic kid and being outside was never an issue, so I was down with it. I just kept playing more games and I fell in love with it.

OFM: You never played basketball?

LH: Well… [laughs]. Actually, I was about to join a basketball team in 2020 and then COVID hit. I don’t know if my future was basketball, but it kind of got crushed by COVID.

OFM: Obviously, I ask because your dad Grant was a great basketball player. Both of your parents have been very successful [mom Tamia is a singer-songwriter]—have they had a big influence on your soccer career?

LH: Yes, 100%. My dad knows sports, he knows the hard times, he knows everything about going through the mental part and the physical part. My mom was actually an athlete as well, and she’s a very logical person, so when situations happen she gives really good advice. Both of them help me so much in the soccer world.

OFM: Do you have any of your mom’s musical talents?

LH: Ooh. [Laughs] I used to be able to sing—I don’t know what happened, but it’s gone now. Maybe from all of the yelling in soccer. I can play Stay by Rihanna on the piano, but that’s the only thing I can do now.

OFM: What made you want to commit to UF?

LH: Going into my junior year, I went to ID camp there and I literally fell in love with it. It was never on my mind—I never talked about UF before that camp or even thought about it. I knew it was a good school, but once I went to that camp, I fell in love with it so quickly and I was determined to get into that school. I loved the environment, the coaches, the facilities. It had everything I was looking for, and I’m very grateful to be part of their 2026 recruiting class.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

LH: I’m still stuck. I might do business; I might do environmental science. I’m still figuring it out.

OFM: I’m sure you want to play soccer for as long as possible. Have you thought about trying to make it a career?

LH: For sure. Since I fell in love with soccer, I’ve always wanted to go pro. That is the end goal, so I really hope that it turns out.

OFM: What do you like about Lake Highland Prep?

LH: It’s an amazing school. I’m so grateful that I go to school at Lake Highland Prep. They have teachers who genuinely care about you, and it’s a great environment to be in.

OFM: Do you like growing up in Central Florida?

LH: I do. It’s fun here, because there’s a lot of things to do.

OFM: What do you do for fun when you get a break from soccer?

LH: I’m really close with my soccer teammates, so I’m always with them. I would consider them my closest friends, so I like hanging out with my soccer friends and my school friends. We love pickleball in this house, so we play that a lot. And like I said, there are so many things to do in Orlando. Whatever comes to mind, there’s probably something 20 minutes away that fits it. I’m a go-with-the-flow person, so if somebody has an idea I’m like, ‘Let’s do it.’

OFM: Who is the funniest girl on the team who can lighten the mood during a rough practice?

LH: For high school, there’s a girl named Annika who can make any situation funny and just uplift the team. I feel like in stressful times, that really helps. For my club team [the Orlando Pride Soccer Academy], there’s a girl named Tyler and she does the same thing. She’s always positive and every time something happens, she’s clapping for you.

OFM: Are there any players on the Pride or other professionals who you like to watch?

LH: I really like Barbra Banda. She’s hurt right now, but in the 2024 season she was just going off. She’s very strong, very fast, and I hope that one day I can have the explosiveness and power that she has.

Max Simmons, The First Academy boys basketball

A sharpshooting guard, Simmons averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior to lead the Royals to an 18-9 record, and he is closing in on 1,000 career points as he enters his senior season. Also a standout baseball player who helped TFA win a state championship last spring, he is still considering which sport to focus on in college.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season?

MS: I’m super excited. We’ve got a lot of new guys on the basketball team, some transfers, and we graduated a lot of seniors on the baseball field, so both teams will have a new look and I’m excited to get to it.

OFM: What are your individual and team goals for basketball season?

MS: Our No. 1 goal is to play for Jesus Christ, first and foremost. But second of all, our goal this year is to win the state championship. We believe we have the talent, we have the heart and we have the dedication to do what needs to be done to get there.

OFM: Is there anything you’re aiming for as far as personal goals? Aren’t you getting close to 1,000 career points?

MS: I think so, but I’m not entirely sure how many I have. I don’t really have any personal goals, I just want to be the best leader I can be for these guys. We have a really young squad, so my role this year is to set the example, play as hard as possible and be the best leader I can be.

OFM: Which sport is your favorite, basketball or baseball?

MS: I don’t have a favorite, because I’ve played both of them since I was 3 years old. I’ve never liked one more than the other, they both have just kind of coexisted in my life. It’s been a constant, year-round loop of basketball to baseball, basketball to baseball, and most of the time both of them at the same time. I love playing both of them.

OFM: Are you hoping to play one of them in college?

MS: I’m looking to play one of them, for sure. Right now, I’m not exactly sure which one. I’ve been blessed by God to have the opportunity to play both in college—I have offers to play both from a few schools. I definitely want to play one in college, but I’m not sure which and I’ll have to play out my senior year and see how it goes in both sports.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study in college?

MS: I’m not sure of the major, but I want to go into pre-law. I want to go to law school because I want to become a sports agent, and I know there are other programs you can do, but I feel like having a law degree would be much better for a sports agent. If that doesn’t end up happening, I’d love to go into business management and do sports administration. My grandpa was a GM for the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls, and he taught me a lot. So that’s something I would also be extremely interested in. I’m between those two, and I know I have to make a decision soon.

OFM: So you’re the grandson of Pat Williams, one of the co-founders of the Magic?

MS: Yes, sir. He was my biggest fan, along with my father, my mother and my grandma, his wife. He would be at every basketball game in the front row and he would be in the stands at my baseball games. At basketball games he would always say, ‘Just keep shooting Max, keep shooting.’ That was his signature thing. I was really close to him and he lived very close, so I would see him three or four times a week. Growing up I had a very strong relationship with him, and since he passed, I’ve been living my life for him. He always used to say in his second life, he’d want to come back and be me, so everything I’ve done since then was to model him, because he was my biggest role model.

OFM: Are you a Magic fan?

MS: I’m a huge fan.

OFM: Who do you root for in baseball?

MS: I’m a St. Louis Cardinals fan. It’s kind of weird, being from Orlando, but in 2019 I was in Cooperstown for the big U-12 baseball tournament, and I didn’t have a team. I was a catcher growing up and I liked watching Yadier Molina, so I decided to be a Cardinals fan.

OFM: What else do you do for fun other than sports? Do you have any other hobbies?

MS: Not many. I like to work out, but that kind of goes with sports. I’m a big chess player—that’s one of my biggest non-sports hobbies. … I also like to hang out with my family and hang out with friends.

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

MS: I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Obviously, going off to college, it’s going to happen, but growing up in Orlando has been awesome. My neighborhood, College Park, I couldn’t imagine growing up anywhere else. It’s the perfect distance from everywhere I have to go. Obviously, at this time of year the weather is kind of crappy because it’s always raining, but outside of that, Orlando is perfect in my opinion.

OFM: Do you like going to school at The First Academy?

MS: I love The First Academy. This is my 12th year there, I’ve been going since first grade, and it’s been great having a Christ-based education. I’ve built relationships with all of my teachers, from first grade to this year, and our sports programs have been great every year. I’m a huge fan of The First Academy—it is an awesome school and I’ve grown up there basically my whole life.

Joba Oyedeji, Windermere Prep girls basketball

A 6-1 sophomore forward, Oyedeji is coming off a fantastic freshman campaign in which she averaged 15 points and 7.4 rebounds, set a single-season school record with 420 points and was named the District 11 Class 3A Player of the Year. After helping the Lakers reach the regional final and post a 21-8 record, she has high hopes for the upcoming season.

OFM: Did you expect to have the kind of impact you did as a freshman?

JO: Actually, I was expecting to have a big impact. Coach Darren [Evans] trusted me with leading our offense and rebounding and playing hard. I didn’t expect it to be that good of a season, but I was proud of myself and my teammates.

OFM: Your team set a school record for wins and you also set the record for most points in a season. What stands out as your favorite memory?

JO: My favorite memory from last season was beating The Villages in the regional semis. We beat them by like 20, and it wasn’t like they were bad, we just played so well. We were all clicking and the environment was surreal.

OFM: After losing a close game to Cardinal Mooney, the team that won the state championship, in the regional final, does that give you confidence that you can get back to that point and advance this time?

JO: Yes, of course. We have Cardinal Mooney on our schedule this year, and we will probably face them in the regionals too. It would be great to beat them twice if we can.

OFM: Do you have any personal goals this year?

JO: I really just want to be better than I was last year—that’s always the goal. I want to be mentally stronger and be better in all aspects of my game.

OFM: You are obviously tough in the paint, but are you also looking to extend your game out to the perimeter and become a 3-point threat?

JO: That’s definitely what I’ve been working on in the offseason and in the summer. I want to extend my game to the perimeter, shoot a lot more 3s and get my handles right. I want to get everything together so I can be the best version of myself.

OFM: How did you first get into basketball?

JO: I grew up with basketball because my dad [Olumide Oyedeji] used to play in the NBA. I’ve always been around basketball and I’ve always loved it.

OFM: Has your father been a big influence on you?

JO: Yeah, he’s always pushing me to get better and to be great. He’s always encouraging me to do my best.

OFM: I know you’re a standout in track and field as well. Do you play any other sports?

JO: Yes, I throw the javelin, and I used to play volleyball. I like to do anything athletic. I don’t like to just sit around, so every time basketball is over, I like to try something. The softball coach asked me to play softball, but I was already doing track.

OFM: Are you going to stick with track?

JO: I am going to do it again this spring. I broke the school record in the javelin and I want to break it again.

OFM: Have you started thinking about college yet, and is playing college basketball a big goal of yours?

JO: Yes. That’s my goal, and the end goal is to make it all the way to the WNBA and have an influence on the sport of basketball.

OFM: Do you have any idea what you would like to study in college?

JO: I’ve been thinking about a few things. My main thought process is either sports management or psychology.

OFM: Do you know what qualities you’re looking for in a school, whether it’s a certain size or close to home?

JO: I’ve been thinking about that, and it doesn’t really matter where I go, just as long as the school feels like home to me and I can play how I want to play and not be limited.

OFM: How do you like going to Windermere Prep?

JO: Windermere Prep is a great school. Last year was my first year there, and everybody was very welcoming. Everybody there is great, all the teachers are great, and Coach Darren is great too. I couldn’t ask for a better school.

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

JO: I’ve always lived here, and growing up I did all of the things that kids dream about, like going to Disney and going to Universal. I wish it wasn’t so hot sometimes—I have a love-hate relationship with the weather—but it’s been great. I think Florida is the best place to grow up.

OFM: Do you have a favorite ride at Universal?

JO: They took down Rip Ride Rockit, which was my favorite. I like the ride with the ponies—I forget what it’s called—but if it’s not that, then my favorite is The Hulk.

OFM: What else do you do for fun?

JO: I love to watch other sporting events at my school, so I go to volleyball games, I go to football games. I just love being around sports, and if not then I love hanging around with my family and my friends. I watch a lot of cartoons too. My all-time favorite is called Young Justice, but right now I’m watching the Regular Show.

OFM: Do you have a favorite basketball movie?

JO: Coach Carter is my favorite.

OFM: Do you have certain players that you like to watch, whether in college or the WNBA?

JO: In college, I love to watch McKayla Williams from LSU. That’s who I try to model my game after, being able to shoot and dribble and everything. In the WNBA, I love watching Aneesah Morrow and how relentless she is on the boards.

Maggie Trifone, Geneva girls soccer

Trifone, a junior midfielder, made an immediate impact upon transferring to Geneva last year, as she had 16 goals and eight assists to help the Knights capture their fifth straight district title. Also a standout in track—she qualified for regionals in the high jump and set the school record in the triple jump—she will serve as team captain this season for the soccer team.

OFM: Are you excited for the upcoming season?

MT: Yes, I’m very excited. I think high school soccer is very fun and I’m looking forward to it.

OFM: Last year was a special one for you and the team. What stands out as your favorite memory?

MT: Gosh, that’s a hard one. Honestly, I don’t know if I could pick a specific one, but just being able to play with my best friends every Tuesday and Thursday was so much fun for me. I’m going to miss the girls who were on the team last year so much. I guess if I had to choose a certain moment, it would be when I scored an Olimpico goal and ran and jumped into my teammates’ arms. That was pretty cool.

OFM: Were you happy with your individual season?

MT: I think I played pretty well. I’ve always found that I play well during high school soccer and I enjoy the season a lot. I’d say overall, I was pretty satisfied. My goal for this season is one, to make sure that all of my teammates are enjoying it and that we have great team chemistry, but also I’d like to see us go further in the state championships.

OFM: I know you graduated some key seniors, but there are also several important players returning. Do you think the team has the potential for another successful season?

MT: Yes. I’m super excited to watch Cami [Cabito] and Emerson [Erwin] grow, and I’m also excited to see the new talent we have.

OFM: How do you feel about serving as a captain this year?

MT: I’m excited but nervous because I know it’s a big responsibility. But I feel like our team is a good unit and we have good chemistry, so I think being a captain isn’t going to be too much of a change.

OFM: How long have you been attending Geneva?

MT: I came last year in 10th grade, so this is my second year. I’m very happy there and I’m very glad that I switched. What I am super grateful for at Geneva is the community and the people. Everywhere you go, you’re always smiling and saying hello to people. I really like the academic side—I like the classical learning style—and for athletics, I like how we’re given the opportunity to play multiple sports. This year, I’m going to try and do beach volleyball and track. Last year I did track too, and that was fun.

OFM: Is soccer your main sport?

MT: Yes. I play club soccer year-round from July to late May. I started playing club in third grade, but I’ve been playing soccer since I was 4 years old. I’ve always loved other sports, but soccer is the one that doesn’t compare to [any other].

OFM: Would you like to play soccer in college?

MT: Yes. I’m currently looking to play in college. I’d like to find a school with another great community like Geneva. It’s just hard, because the whole recruiting process can be difficult and I think it’s going to take time before I figure out which school I’m set on.

OFM: Do you have any idea what you would like to study or what kind of career you would like to pursue?

MT: As of right now, I’m looking to be a physician’s assistant. I’d also like to do something in sports medicine, just because sports have always played a major role in my life. Soccer is great, but I’ve always loved other sports too.

OFM: What else do you do for fun besides sports?

MT: I like to hang out with my family and friends. A lot of my friends I’ve gained through soccer, so I hang out with my teammates or other outside school friends.

Angel Prieto, Bishop Moore wrestling

A senior 165-pounder, Prieto has made it to the podium at the state championships each of the past two seasons, placing sixth as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. He went 36-9 last year with district and regional titles and also picked up his 100th career win.

OFM: You’re coming off two really good seasons. What are your goals heading into your senior campaign?

AP: I’m going to try to go undefeated and not get scored on [when I’m] on my feet, and I want to win a state title.

OFM: Does your success over the past few years give you a lot of confidence?

AP: Yeah. It helps my confidence and it helps me become a better person because of the discipline.

OFM: Is there a lot of pressure at states, or are you used to it by now?

AP: I’ve been there three times [so I know what it’s like] to be in a big arena.

OFM: How have you been preparing in the offseason?

AP: I’ve been working at Lake Highland, just training and lifting every day to get ready for the season.

OFM: How did you get into wrestling and what do you like about it?

AP: My background is actually in jiu-jitsu, and then I got introduced to wrestling around my freshman year. I like that it’s all you—you can’t blame anyone else, you can only blame yourself if you lose.

OFM: Does your jiu-jitsu background give you any advantages in wrestling?

AP: Yes, but it took me a while to make that transition. In jiu-jitsu, I was always taught to pull guard and lay on my back. But in wrestling, you can’t lay on your back or you’re pinned.

OFM: What are your team goals this season?

AP: To win a district title, because we’re pretty young.

OFM: How do you act as a leader for your younger teammates?

AP: I try to do my best and I want them to look up to me. I always talk and I try to be the leader.

OFM: Who is your workout partner?

AP: Coach Troy [Reed]. He teaches me a lot and it helps me build a connection with him.

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

AP: Not yet—I’m talking to a few colleges. I want to major in finance, so I’m looking at the academics first, and I also want a good wrestling program.

OFM: What made you interested in finance?

AP: I started taking accounting this year, and I like handling stocks and everything, so I really want to get into it.

OFM: How long have you lived in Florida?

AP: My whole life—I was born here. We have the best amusement parks and you can always be outside here every day, especially in the winter.

OFM: What else do you do for fun when you’re not training?

AP: I would say hang out with my family is what I do the most. I live with my grandma and I have my parents and my sister.

OFM: What do you like about going to school at Bishop Moore?
AP: I’m Catholic and I’ve been going to Catholic school my whole life, so it’s good for my faith. It’s also really good for academics and it helps prepare me for life.

OFM: Do you have a favorite teacher?

AP: My history teacher from last year, Mr. White. He wrestled so we always had that bond. Nobody else in that class wrestled, so he always talked to me about it.

OFM: How do you prepare for a big match and get yourself in the right mindset?

AP: I try to stay calm, get a good warm-up and break a really good sweat, and then just leave it in God’s hands. I don’t like talking to anybody.

Carson Andrews, Foundation Academy boys soccer

The varsity starting goalie since he was a freshman, Andrews is coming off a terrific sophomore campaign in which he allowed just 15 goals in 15 games, posted a 12-2-1 record and recorded five shutouts, helping the Lions finish with the most successful regular season in program history.

OFM: Last year was a memorable one for you and the team. Do you look back on it fondly?

CA: Yeah, we had a pretty good season up until the end, and then it was a pretty disappointing way to go out [with three losses in the last four games]. We had a special team that year and it’s going to be tough to bounce back. We lost maybe six or seven seniors, and another key player [is not returning], so we’ve got a pretty young team this year.

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

CA: With a lot of underclassmen—I think we only have one senior—our goal is just to compete. Last year we had pretty high expectations, and obviously I don’t want to come in with the wrong mindset, but I think this year we’re just looking to compete. We’re going to have a new coach and a brand-new staff, so it’s going to be tough, but I’m hoping we can compete in the district. I know some other teams are losing a lot too, so I think we’ll have a shot. We’ll see how far we can get.

OFM: Do you expect to be more of a leader?

CA: For sure, especially after losing so many seniors. We’ve got pretty decent size in the class of 2027, so there’s going to be a couple of us—especially those of us who have been with the team for many years—who will have to do the job from a leadership standpoint. Last year we were able to blend in, but this will be a maturing year for us. We’re going from underclassmen with a lot of people ahead of us, to the oldest class except for one senior. I think we have juniors who are ready to fill those shoes, who are involved in other sports and extracurricular activities in school where they have the leadership mindset.

OFM: How long have you been playing soccer?

CA: I’ve actually not been playing soccer for too long: I started my eighth grade year in middle school. I played baseball my entire life, but around eighth grade I was looking for something new. Aidan Bangsund and Jackson Hubp are two of my pretty close friends and they were playing soccer, so I decided to join. I was on the bench for the majority of the year, until the last three or four games. I started playing club soccer after my eighth grade year and I joined the varsity team at FA my freshman year. I had my work cut out for me—I had to beat out another freshman and a senior, but I got the starting job and from then on I’ve been playing soccer and I love the team that we have.

OFM: Were you a goalie right away?

CA: Coming from baseball, I wasn’t very good with my feet, and there’s definitely a learning curve jumping in so late. So I figured I had played baseball and I knew how to catch, so why not give goalie a shot? I kind of followed in the footsteps of my older brother, who had also played baseball his whole life and ended up playing soccer for two years in high school. He was a goalie, so I gave it a shot and I ended up enjoying it.

OFM: Do you still play baseball?

CA: No, I actually quit that eighth grade year. I don’t have anything against it, I still love the sport, but I had been playing since 3 or 4 years old and I kind of lost the spark for it. Soccer was that new light and I have a love for it.

OFM: Are you looking to play in college?

CA: I’m not too sure. I have visions of becoming a pilot and I’m pretty set on going to college for that, so the only way I would end up playing in college is if I got a scholarship for a specific aviation school, maybe somewhere like Embry-Riddle. But I’m not putting myself out there, so I’m not expecting anything of the sort, unless I get encouraged to do so by a coach or something.

OFM: What made you interested in flying?

CA: I love to travel and I have a lot of interest in history—it’s definitely my favorite subject in school—so I always knew I wanted to do something international, whether it’s international business or something along those lines. I have a buddy whose dad is a pilot and I talked to him about it, and he planted the idea in my head that it’s a very realistic dream. So I started pursuing it over the summer and entered flight school, and I’ve been there for a couple of months. It sparked my love for it even more and it’s something I’m now pretty set on making a career for myself.

OFM: What is flight school like?

CA: It’s tough, but it’s helped me build academic skills in terms of studying and finding time to dedicate myself [to studying]. I’m going to be playing two sports again—I’m getting into lacrosse now—so it’s a lot, scheduling wise. I’ve got two sports, a part-time job, and it’s tough to juggle all of these things. It’s taught me a lot of life lessons about being disciplined and using my time wisely. I love being able to go up and fly every day and see the world from a different perspective. It’s a cool thing that not a lot of people will ever get to experience.

OFM: How does it work—are you actually flying the plane with an instructor looking on?

CA: There’s an airport down in Kissimmee called Kissimmee-Gateway, it’s a little regional airport, and I’m enrolled in a school there. It’s a flexible schedule and I’m usually there once or twice a week. … We’ll go up, do a lesson and I’ll learn a maneuver that I need to know for my exams. It’s a lot of studying, so at home I study for four or five hours to learn all the tedious stuff that comes along with it. Flying is probably the easy part—memorizing all the specific laws and learning the physics and everything behind it is the hard part, but it helps you build the love for it.

OFM: How long have you been at FA?

CA: I’ve been at FA since third grade. I lived in a small town called Sebring, Florida, about an hour and a half south of here. … I lived there until I was 8 and then my father passed away, so we moved up here to be closer to family. My cousins were going to Real Life over in Clermont, but they decided to transfer here to FA, and we decided that going to FA with my cousins would be the best option. I’ve been here ever since.

OFM: I know the school has undergone a lot of upgrades and additions recently. Is it a great place to be right now?

CA: For sure. I like to joke with my brother—he graduated from FA in 2022—and when he comes back to the campus, it’s like a completely different place. Back then, there was only one building, one courtyard with grass and a lot of sand, so it was pretty dusty. You wouldn’t even recognize it now if you graduated 10 years ago. There’s a new school building, they have a new track going in and they’ve got all these plans. It’s ambitious, but it’s changed so much and it’s beautiful. It’s very up to date and you feel like you’re at a really nice school. It’s definitely a great place to be and all of the teachers are great. I don’t have a single complaint and I’m glad that I’ve been able to call it home since third grade.

OFM: What do you like about living in the Orlando area?

CA: It’s very different. I grew up in Sebring, which has a population of roughly 9,000-10,000. Moving to Winter Garden, if I could describe it in one word, it would be opportunity. The opportunity to live in Winter Garden and Orlando just gives me a lot more paths that I can take, compared to Sebring, where there’s just not that much to do. … In Orlando, there’s so much opportunity and there’s room to grow. It gives me a chance to build myself and make something of myself, rather than be stuck in the same small town forever. Don’t get me wrong, I love my small town, but there’s definitely not a lot going on and you get caught up in the drama and the unimportant things.

Star Watch

More athletes we’re keeping our eyes on.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Brandon Bass Jr., Windermere Prep: A 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Bass averaged 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds as a junior and enters his senior season with 1,802 career points. He recently committed to Florida State.

Isaiah Gillard, Dr. Phillips: A senior transfer, this combo guard will be a key player at both ends of the floor for coach Ben Witherspoon, who returns to Dr. Phillips after a highly successful tenure earlier this decade that included the program’s only state championship. Gillard will continue his career at Florida Tech.

London Hatch, Dr. Phillips: Hatch, a 6-foot-4 wing, filled the stat sheet last year with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. He will join Gillard, his high school teammate, at Florida Tech.

Michael Madueme, Lake Highland Prep: After averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds and leading the Highlanders to a 23-5 record last year, this 6-foot-5 forward is poised for a huge senior season before moving on to Columbia.

Kevin Thomas, Montverde: Thomas, a 6-foot-7 wing, averaged more than 17 points and six rebounds last year at Sagemont Prep and now joins one of the premier programs in the country. He has offers from the likes of Auburn and Kentucky.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

France Garilus, Edgewater: Garilus is set to cap off one of the greatest careers in program history before moving on to play college basketball at Embry-Riddle. She scored her 1,000th career point in the final game of her junior season—when she averaged 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 blocks—and is on track to hit the milestone for boards as well. A standout student, Garilus has a 4.5 GPA while taking college classes throughout high school.

Reese Macau, Trinity Prep: A senior shooting guard/small forward, Macau emerged as the Saints’ leading scorer last year at more than 10 points per game.

Missy Odom, Montverde: A 6-foot-2 power forward who helped the Eagles post a 26-2 record last year, Odom will be counted on for scoring in the paint and relentless rebounding as a senior. Also a standout pitcher in softball who is looking to play both sports in college, her five finalists are Texas Tech, Florida State, Ohio State, Auburn and Central Florida.

BOYS SOCCER

Mason Chubb, Timber Creek: A senior goalie, Chubb consistently made clutch saves during pivotal moments last year, especially during the playoffs as the Wolves made a thrilling run to the 7A state final.

Brett Gotwalt, The Master’s Academy: A varsity player since he was in seventh grade, Gotwalt uses a combination of ability and soccer knowledge to make an impact. He had 16 goals and five assists last year and is looking forward to a big senior season.

GIRLS SOCCER

Cami Cabito, Geneva: Cabito, a sophomore winger, is coming off a terrific freshman season in which she recorded 20 goals and four assists to help Geneva post a 12-3-2 record. With six starters lost to graduation, she is expected to play an even bigger role this winter.

Taylor Heaton, Montverde: A junior center back and captain who has been starting since she was a freshman, Heaton shined on the defensive end of the field to lead the Eagles to a 19-2 record last season.

Ava McKay, Lake Mary: McKay, a senior midfielder, scored 17 goals and assisted on six others to spark Lake Mary to the 7A state championship a year ago. Her playmaking ability is one reason why expectations remain high for the program.

BOYS WRESTLING

Liam Davis, Charlie DeSena and Zeno Moore, Lake Highland Prep: All three of these seniors took first place in their weight class at last year’s National Prep Championships, and all three will wrestle at the Division I level. Davis is headed to Northwestern, DeSena is committed to Penn and Moore will continue his career at Stanford.

Gavin Isaacs, Lake Mary: Isaacs was a state runner-up at 190 pounds last year during a 27-2 season in which he captured district and regional titles.

GIRLS WRESTLING

Yhoalibeth Ruiz, Freedom: Ruiz, a senior, reached the podium at states last year as she placed seventh at 105 pounds. She was a district champion and took second at regionals.

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

Zairah Farid, Windermere Prep: Farid, just a junior, is known for her dedication to the sport, and it paid off with a third-place finish in the Olympic category at last year’s 1A state meet. She helped the Lakers place fourth in the team competition.

Tamea Foster, Wekiva: Foster was a regional champion in both the Traditional and Olympic competitions last year and will continue to set lofty goals in her junior season.