I'm also borderline 9a/b and have to plant my white sapotes in choice spots close to the house to minimize cold damage. I wish I had more choice spots.
I read that Walton was observed to have the least frost damage than many other varieties planted in the same place in CA.
Santa Cruz is a large vigorous seedling tree from Santa Cruz, CA where it gets pretty cold for white sapotes.
Vernon seems to take the cold well in my yard.
I'm not sure how they would handle the humidity though.
Yes, spring starts in Feb for us in Phoenix, AZ