Quick Hits: This district is faced with one of the most challenging travel issues in the state and implemented a unique change this year for its district-seeding procedure. Instead of traveling to play a district schedule, with some round trips logging more than 300 miles, a point value was put into service to determine district seedings. If a team beats a Class 8A team, it receives eight points; seven points for beating a 7A team, and so forth. Thus, Wildwood, which beat 6A Eustis and Tavares and 7A Ocala Vanguard coming down the stretch run, vaulted to the top seed. Frostproof is second, Pahokee third and Fort Meade fourth.
Wildwood, ranked second in 1A by Maxpreps.com and fourth by Source Hoops, had won 19 games by the end of January and defeated Auburndale 64-58. The Willdcats are led by senior point guard Danasia Bogle.
Frostproof, ranked seventh by Source Hoops and 10th by Maxpreps, is enjoying a stellar season and posted a 14-5 mark through January. The Bulldogs are led by Shelby Reeves, who is averaging 14.7 points, Shenada Pinion with 12.4, Kinadie Bennett with 11.4 and Noelia Ortega at 10.5.
Fort Meade (3-9) has struggled this year since former head coach Tim Grant left the program, but the Miners are led by point guard Courdeja Clark on offense.