FHSAA District Re-Alignments Continue

  FHSAA continued to release newly reorganized sports classifications this week, announcing girls volleyball, girls basketball, and boys basketball assignments for 2015-2018.

  The following are how our local teams line up in their respective sports’ districts.

Boys Basketball

  District 16-2A includes two local teams in Redland Christian and Princeton Christian, joining Calusa Prep, Westwood Christian, Island Christian, and Schoolhouse Prep in the district.

  Miami Community Charter makes its first foray into district play, joining Palmer Trinity, Everglades Prep, and Somerset Homestead in District 16-3A with Marathon.

  District 16-4A features Keys Gate and Westminster Christian joining Gulliver Prep, St. Brendan, Ransom Everglades, and Pinecrest Prep.

  Homestead was assigned to District 16-6A with Belen, Doral, Sunset, Jackson, TERRA, and Miami Springs.

  Southridge was moved down to District 16-7A with MaterAcademy, American, Killian, South Miami, Reagan, and Westland Hialeah.

  District 16-8A retains Coral Reef and South Dade, in addition to Varela, Palmetto, and Ferguson.

  Colonial Christian and CoralShores will play as independents.

Girls Basketball

  Girls basketball is unique as it features no local teams in independent play.

  Instead, the local contingent starts in District 16-2A where Redland Christian and Princeton Christian will join Calusa Prep, Island Christian, and Schoolhouse Prep.

  District 16-3A adds Miami Community Charter and Everglades Prep with Palmer Trinity and Marathon.

  Keys Gate joints Westminster Christian in District 16-4A with Carrollton, Gulliver Prep, St. Brendan, Ransom Everglades, and Pinecrest Prep.

 Homestead joins Doral, TERRA, Miami Springs, Jackson, and Sunset in District 16-6A.

  Southridge was also moved down to District 16-7A, joining American, Lourdes, Killian, MaterAcademy, Westland Hialeah, South Miami, and Reagan.

  District 16-8A holds Coral Reef, South Dade, Palmetto, Ferguson, and Varela.

Girls Volleyball

  Girls volleyball presents some unique district matchups, as well as the splitting up of a traditional local rivalry.

  The only independent team locally will be Somerset Homestead.

  District 16-2A includes Colonial Christian, Redland Christian, and Princeton Christian, who join Calusa Prep, Island Christian, and Westwood Christian.

  District 16-3A sees Miami Community Charter, Everglades Prep, and Palmer Trinity join Marathon.

  District 16-4A includes CoralShores, Keys Gate, and Westminster Christian, who join Carrollton, St. Brendan, and Gulliver Prep.

  This assignment splits up Palmer Trinity and Westminster Christian’s district rivalry, a battle that saw matchups last season in both the district finals and the regional semifinals.

  District 16-6A pits Homestead against TERRA, Jackson, Miami Springs, Sunset, and Doral.

  Southridge moves down to District 16-7A, joining American, Killian, Lourdes, Reagan, South Miami, MaterAcademy, and Westland Hialeah.

  District 16-8A features Coral Reef, South Dade, Ferguson, Palmetto, and Varela.

Appeals Planned

  After the announcement, reaction was mixed among local schools.

  “I like the districts and look forward to the challenge,” said Everglades Prep athletic director Ryan Nani. “Our sports program is set to explode starting with the fall football schedule. Our program’s goal is to give the student athletes a great live experience as well as compete with top teams. I see great things very soon for Everglades Prep.”

  The reaction was not as enthusiastic from Southridge athletic director Shawn Carney.

  “We plan on appealing,” said Carney. “We are going through the process with FHSAA.”

  Southridge’s issues will lie in the form of travel considerations most likely, with a jump to 8A their likely hope.

  Homestead also plans on appealing their placement, and based on their football placement into 16-8A, one cannot blame them.

  Miami Community Charter will be entering its first season as a district competitor in all three sports, leaving nothing but positive vibes in the wake of the news.