FHSAA announces tentative new districts in basketball, girls volleyball

By Steven Ryzewski
| 12:07 p.m. January 30, 2015

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Sports

On Friday the Florida High School Athletic Association released tentative new districts for boys basketball, girls basketball and girls volleyball, set to take effect in the 2015-2016 school year and run through the 2018-2019 year.

Appeals to these tentative changes are due to the FHSAA by 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 and must be based on specific policies.

The biggest proposed change in the larger classifications consisted of Ocoee being bumped down in all three sports to Class 7A — where it currently plays in football — to a sprawling Class 7A District 5 with schools in Volusia, Lake, Seminole and Orange County.

Keeping with the changes that were recently finalized in football, Olympia moves out of West Orange’s district to be with Dr. Phillips in Class 8A District 5, along with Cypress Creek, Freedom and Oak Ridge.

West Orange’s district, Class 8A District 3, retains Evans and Apopka but adds Wekiva — as it did in football — and also West Port (Ocala).

There were more significant proposed changes in the lower classifications for coverage area programs.

Windermere Prep has tentatively been bumped up from Class 3A to Class 4A in a district with Atlantic (Port Orange), Father Lopez (Daytona Beach), Montverde (not in boys hoops - the Eagles do no compete for a FHSAA championship), Jones, Lake Highland Prep and Trinity Prep, as well as Crooms in basketball, only.

Also being bumped up a classification, tentatively, is Legacy, which has been moved to Class 3A from 2A into the district formerly occupied by Windermere Prep, with opponents like Circle Christian, Cornerstone Charter, Faith Christian, The First Academy, Lake Mary Prep, Orangewood Christian and The Master’s Academy.

Foundation Academy, which plays football in Class 2A, was bumped up to Class 3A for all three sports. The Lions tentatively have been placed in Class 3A District 5 with All Saints' (Winter Haven), Lakeland Christian, New Dimensions (Kissimee) and Santa Fe Catholic (Lakeland).

CFCA remains in Class 2A.

To view a complete listing of the tentatively announced district for the next four years in boys basketball, girls basketball and girls volleyball, click HERE.