By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

POMPANO BEACH – Championship teams continuously find ways to win when it counts most.

The Coral Springs Charter High softball team apparently owns the blueprint when it comes to the BCAA Big 8 tournament.

Led by Heather Roberston, Gio Gurgel and Courtney Wahlbrink combination of six RBI, the Panthers rolled to a 9-4 victory over Western last Wednesday for the team’s third consecutive Big 8 title at Pompano Beach Community Park.

It was the Panthers (19-3) fifth Big 8 title in seven attempts.

“[Western] is a seasoned team and three games in a row is tough on pitching staffs,” said Coral Springs Charter coach Mark Montimurro. “They have a lot of good hitters, and we felt they would put a lot of balls in play.

They put some runs on the board, but we did enough to come out with trophy.

Charter has defeated Western seven consecutive games by a combined 62-11 runs, dating back to 2019. They finished the tournament, by outscoring their three opponents 26-7.

“Our team has moxie and grit and everybody in the county thought we’d be way down because we lost a lot of players. They stepped up and played up to their level. With our pitching we can play with anybody.”

Charter took an early 5-0 lead keyed by Roberston’s fourth home run in five at bats. She was named the tournament MVP with four homers and 10 RBI.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting it,” said Robertson. “I was looking for some hits and putting pieces together for the team. I wasn’t expecting the home runs. I was just swinging to swing.

Today I came out hot and was ready to play hitting a home run in my first at bat.”

The Wildcats didn’t cave, rallying for four runs between the third and fifth innings, closing to within 5-4 of the lead.

Analie Diaz, Kennedy Butter and Emma Konieczny had consecutive RBI singles in the top the third inning and Butter added another RBI singles in the fifth inning.

“It’s frustrating, but there’s a silver lining and that’s that we fought to the end,” said Western coach John Bradshaw. “I was super proud of the girls fighting to the end. Mark’s teams never quit and he’s got us three years in a row.”

The Panthers seized the Wildcats (15-5-1) comeback bid in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Addi Michel had an RBI bunt single, which was followed by an RBI single to left field by Gurgel and a two-RBI double to left by Walbrink a five-run advantage.

“We can up too flat, but we did bring it up throughout the game,” said Gurgel. “When our pitching and hitting come up big, we win,”

District play begins this week with Coral Springs Charter and Western as No.1 seeds.

Contact Dave Brousseau at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With spring football starting next week, we will continue shining a spotlight on the many football prospects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

As college coaches will flock to south Florida, checking out all the talent that we have to offer at so many schools, there will be several positions that will be in the spotlight.

While we continue to showcase our many football prospects at every position and in every class, today we start off with a look at some offensive linemen to watch.

Keep in mind that we promote football talent at every level, so being a star-rated player means very little to what we have been all about for decades.

Today we shine the spotlight on some 2026 and 2027 offensive linemen, which was not always a position that college coaches would come to this area to recruit. But times have changed, and with so many avenues to get better at guard, center and tackle.

Among those 2026 players we shine a spotlight on today includes Shermari Bowens (6'4", 285, Miami Southridge – 2.9 GPA), Anthony Brown (6'3", 315, Miami Palmetto), Jordan Davis (6'3", 320, Hollywood McArthur), Matthew Diaz (6'4", 285, Miami Northwestern – 3.8 GPA), Jamar Hudson (6’3, 280, Pompano Beach Blanche – 3.0 GPA), and Brandon Jeudi (6'0", 275, Miami True North Classical Academy).

There are also prospects Nathaniel “Nate” Leslie (6'8", 385, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Miguel Martinez (6'4", 270, Miami True North Classical Academy), Alejandro Schmitt (6'6", 305, Pembroke Pines West Broward), Dylan Steen (6'5", 295, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), Nicolas Varela (6'1", 250, Miami St. Brendan), and Teddy Welch (6'1", 285, American Heritage Plantation – 4.0 GPA) to watch for.

There are also Class of 2027 rising juniors to watch – with Larney Dorlus (6-3, 276, Deerfield Beach – 3.9 GPA) and Ronald Riley (6'4", 315, Miami True North Classical Academy – 3.1 GPA).

SOUTH FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS RADIO SHOW RECOGNIZED. https://www.millionpodcasts.com/high-school-podcasts/

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ORLANDO – With a week left before the start of spring football in the state of Florida, two south Floridians put themselves on the map and got out to a running start getting exposure.

This past Saturday at Orlando Boone High School, the final off-season event was held as high school prospects attended the Prep Redzone Florida Spring Camp/Combine.

As several athletes came to get better and showcase their abilities in front of coaches and recruiters, West Broward rising senior offensive lineman Bryan Granger and Pembroke Pines Charter rising junior running back Josiah Knight stepped up their game and took home MVP awards for a job well done.

Bryan Granger, OL, 6’4, 280, Pembroke Pines West Broward – 3.2 GPA. The hard work this young man has put in over the past few years has certainly paid off in a major way.

His strength, athleticism and technique has improved greatly since his freshman and sophomore years.

College coaches have to be impressed at what they see, and with an improving football team this coming season, he will once again have the opportunity to compete against high-level players and get plenty of exposure.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19070089/67315dfa0a2f5644f4e30eee

Josiah Knight, RB, 5’8, 170 – 3.7 GPA. Watching him run, you see a solid back who continues to pick up the little things that will be needed to play this game at the next level.

The fact that he has two seasons left to continue working on his game, you feel that he will learn plenty.

While he isn’t the largest or fastest, he is a smart player who does the little things that has helped him to improve his game.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22422103/Josiah-Knight

OTHER SOUTH FLORIDIANS GET ATTENTION

Besides Granger and Knight, a few other south Florida football players also made their way to Orlando for the pre-spring showcase:

2028 – Ethan Fishbein, QB, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace

2027 – George Harris, LB/S, Miami True North Classical Academy

2027 - Ronald Riley, OL, 6’5, 320, Miami True North Classical Academy

2026 – Andy Sosa, DL/OL, Coral Gables

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Throughout the course of a year, we bring you several talented prospects who are working hard and receiving exposure.

Because there are so many talented players in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, reaching every player is never an easy task to accomplish, but there is no doubt that we try our best.

Attending by far more live camps, combines, practices and games, we can see players compete and fully evaluate what they bring to the table.

As there are others who promote area athletes, and that is important, many only bring you player information from what they watch on film, and not totally from seeing them perform or talking to them, seeing what they are bringing to the table as student/athletes.

Today, we bring you a few more gifted prospects that you will want to keep an eye on this spring and into the summer:

2028 - Anthony Bautista, Athlete, 5-7, 155, Coral Springs. There are several younger players who have emerged during their freshman season and into the off-season. Here is one of those versatile young men to keep an eye on as he only played in five games for the Colts, but showed what he can do on both sides of the ball. This is a prospect who has a chance to be special.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23894197/6725ef3cda33ac90e39dc522

2027 - Quinton Miller II, RB, 5-9, 170, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely. Another young player who has speed, tremendous vision and the ability to make plays. While not the largest player on the field, this is a player who will surprise you with his approach to the game.

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20358550/658a41124ba92f0bec721193

2027 - Kingston Rust, QB, 6’3, 212, Miami Christopher Columbus. After a very productive sophomore season at Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, this is a quality prospect that will now try to impact the Explorers as they are always in the mix to get to the state title game. This is a physical talent that combines his ability to throw the ball with unique running skills. This is still a young player who is learning the position, and as he is surrounded by other playmakers, you will see a player that has a chance to play this game at a high level for a long time. Can run the offense out of the pocket or as a runner as well. This is going to be a fun season for him as college coaches will continue laying eyes on his progress.

TAPE:  https://www.hudl.com/profile/19420805/Kingston-Rust

2026 - Michael Smarts, DE, 6’5, 220, Pembroke Pines Flanagan. Transferring from Davie Nova – 3.2 GPA. Not sure how many people have had the pleasure of watching this impressive talent, who started to blow up last year, and has continued to showcase his many skills as off-season events. He is quick off the ball, strong and very athletic and as he now will play for the Falcons, he will have the chance for more exposure. Could be one of the big sleepers this coming season!

TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/22768076/michael-smarts

MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/

MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD TRANSFERS? WE HAVE THEM FOR YOU. https://larryblustein.com/news/transfer-season-off-to-a-huge-start-in-miami-dade-broward

For the past 55 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein), Instagram (OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..