Seven local high school boys basketball teams will enter the upcoming season under new leadership, each program seeking to translate offseason work into on‑court success.
The incoming coaches share a common mission: instilling a strong culture, reinforcing fundamentals, and demanding disciplined play before the first game.
Soundside High School: A New Frontier
Todd Arasmith, formerly an assistant at Navarre and Gulf Breeze, returns to the Pensacola area to lead Soundside High School, a brand‑new program that will field only junior‑varsity and freshman squads this year. He stresses defense, rebounding and limiting turnovers as the foundation of his system, and he will work closely with principal Kasie Windfelder to set the tone from day one.
Navarre’s Vision
Greg Boozer takes the helm at Navarre High School, drawing on a decade of assistant experience and seven years as the girls coach. His goal is to make the Raiders the best in every arena — classroom, community and competition — by demanding excellence in academics as well as athletics.
Escambia’s Continuity
Fletcher Forte succeeds a predecessor who began a cultural shift, and he plans to deepen that momentum by teaching the fundamentals of the game while maintaining the program’s emerging identity.
Pace’s Rebuilding
Kelvin Lee arrives at Pace High School with a clear directive: rebuild after a 2‑22 season. He emphasizes intense defensive schemes and demanding practice standards, hoping the work ethic will translate into wins on the scoreboard.
L.E.A.D. Academy’s Focus
Ralph Mims joins L.E.A.D. Academy with the intention of crafting a disciplined on‑court unit while also serving as a mentor off the court, guiding players toward positive life choices.
The collective effort of these five coaches, along with the broader network of schools such as Milton, West Florida, Pine Forest and Gulf Breeze, reflects a regional commitment to elevate high school basketball through preparation, culture and accountability.