MIAMI GARDENS – When it comes to recruiting at the high school level – in every sport – nobody has to tell you how challenging things have become.
With the portal, NIL deals and other obstacles, high school athletes are finding it tougher than ever to attain the dream of becoming a college student/athlete.
While small college recruiting fairs are still being held across the country to assist in the process, it has become a task for high school coaches to sell their athletes.
That’s where the Orange Bowl comes in and has been making an impact over the past decade to help make those many dreams come true.
This Saturday, Feb. 28 (8 a.m.) the Orange Bowl is hosting its 10th annual Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase presented by Baptist Health at St. Thomas University.
The free event will provide hundreds of local high school junior and senior student athletes an opportunity to meet college coaches from across the country for a chance to receive aid or scholarships as they aspire to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Each participant will compete in a series of tests, drills and scrimmages that best display each player’s various talents at their respective positions, followed by a meet and greet opportunity with coaches from approximately 30 NCAA Division II, III, NAIA and JUCO programs.
Since 2017, more than $8 million in scholarships and financial aid has been awarded to more than 500 high school student-athletes participating in this event.
The Orange Bowl Committee continues to take great pride in its ability to once again present this unparalleled opportunity to local high school student-athletes. The consistent objective is to provide these students with increased exposure, thereby enhancing their prospects for securing financial assistance for college and ultimately attaining a college degree. The event's significant success over the past nine years underscores its effectiveness in pursuing this aim.
To be eligible to participate in the football showcase, student-athletes must be a high school senior or junior who has not accepted a scholarship offer from a Division I football program. In addition, it is recommended that participants have a 2.5 GPA or higher in 16 Core Courses AND have an SAT score of at least 920 (math and verbal only), OR have a composite ACT Score of 18 or higher or a sum score of 68 or higher.
Baptist Health is once again a sponsor proud to support this incredible program that celebrates the athleticism, determination, and sportsmanship of young athletes. Their commitment to the health and well-being of the community extends beyond the walls of their facilities, and by partnering with the Orange Bowl, they empower these student-athletes to reach their full potential.
Attention Parents
An information session will take place during the showcase to educate parents on financial aid, NCAA and NAIA eligibility requirements and much more. We encourage you to attend this session to learn more about putting your student-athlete in the best position to be successful and college-ready.
For more information about the Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase presented by Baptist Health and to register, please visit www.orangebowl.org/showcase/.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
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..
By Dave Brousseau
POMPANO BEACH – The Blanche Ely girls basketball team has had its ups and downs in seeking a third state championship in school history.
This year’s journey took a step closer on Friday following a convincing 64-38 victory over McArthur in a Class 5A Regional Semifinal.
Led by senior guard Teriyah McFadden, who scored 11 of her 13 points, in the second quarter, the Tigers rallied from a first quarter deficit.
Ely (19-5) advances to a regional final game at home against Sebastian River (21-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to a state semifinal on March 11 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Once the Tigers outscored the Mustangs 26-11 in the second quarter for a 35-23 halftime lead, the game was all but decided.
“We came out and dominated and out bench came through, and I can’t ask for more,” said McFadden.
Joining McFadden were juniors Maiyah Sandifer with 13 points and Janiyah Dennis with 12 points and Sariyah Sabb with 11 points.
“McFadden and Isyss Mims both got in foul trouble as both went out of the game as we were making a run and slowed the game down,” said Ely coach James Green. “When they sit, we have to go younger.”
Christie Chicoye led the Mustangs (15-10) with 15 points, while Jasmine Horne added 12 points.
Blanche Ely girls are seeking 4th state title 1984,1992, and 2020.
FRIDAY’S REGIONAL SCORES
Class 7A: South Dade 59, Western 46
Class 6A: St. Thomas Aquinas 78, Mater Academy 30
Nova 59, Martin County 53
Class 5A: Blanche Ely 64, McArthur 38
Sebastian River 56, Dillard 54
FRIDAY’S REGIONAL FINALS
Class 6A: Nova (23-4) at St. Thomas Aquinas (19-8), 7
Class 5A: Sebastian River (21-3) at Blanche Ely (19-5), 7.<
PHOTO COURTESY OF Gary Curreri - https://www.newpelican.com/
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – The Class 6A regional semifinals boys’ basketball game between Boyd Anderson and St, Thomas Aquinas was well decided before the first quarter was completed.
Led by the 24 points from Clarence Westbrook Jr., the Raiders took another step closer in defending their state championship with a 63-37 victory over the Cobras on Saturday.
The Raiders (25-4) advance to a regional final on Saturday at 7 p.m. where they will host Miramar, a team they defeated for the BCAA Big Championship several weeks back.
The series is tied 5-5 dating back to 2008, with Aquinas winning the last two meetings.
“We had to adjust to what the referees were calling,” said Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “We had a couple of guys that picked up early fouls, and I had to make an adjustment based on how they were calling the game.
We went to the zone, though I didn’t care to go to it.”
The defense held the Cobras to six points in the second quarter, while scoring 22 points themselves for a 42-15 lead at the half.
Game over.
The pounding was assisted with 11 points each from Nate Accius and Zane Elliott. KJ Sandi added 10 points.
BOYS
SATURDAY’S REGIONAL SCORES
Class 7A: Columbus 68, Western 53
Coral Glades 71, Palmetto 64
Class 6A: St. Thomas Aquinas 64, Boyd Anderson 37
Miramar 76, South Plantation 60
Class 5A: Pembroke Pines Charter 84, Atlantic 45
Belen Jesuit 65, Plantation 60
Class 4A: Stranahan 62, Miami Northeastern 48
Class 3A: Cardinal Gibbons 58, Pine Crest 56
SATURDAY’S REGIONAL FINALS
Class 7A: Coral Glades (21-7) at Columbus (23-6) at FIU Arena, 7.
Class 6A: Miramar (21-8) at St. Thomas Aquinas (25-4), 7.
Class 5A: Belen Jesuit (24-5) at Pembroke Pines Charter (19-6), 7
Class 4A: Stranahan (14-13) at Suncoast (22-5), 7
Class 3A: University School (22-5) at Cardinal Gibbons (22-6), 7
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
One of the most popular radio shows of its kind heads toward the middle of February with another impressive show on Monday night.
Six guests once again filled the two hours as the South Florida High School Sports Show once again presented some interesting topics.
Each week, the FM 104.3 WQAM radio program attracts the newsmakers in high school sports, recruiting college sports – not only locally, but throughout the country.
The show gives listeners an opportunity to hear about college football programs statewide from the media that cover them. It also focuses on the coaches who use the state of Florida – Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in particular.
The program, which has run for nearly two decades and has been recognized nationally as one of the best of its kind, has become a popular listen for recruiting fans as well as high school sports purists, focusing on high sports and the newsmakers.
Here is a look at the way Monday night went:
She’s an author, philanthropist, mayor, four-time all-state basketball player, collegiate and professional star and on March 18th, the Tamara James Gymnasium will be dedicated at CW Thomas Park in Dania Beach.
TAMARA JAMES ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/former-um-basketball-standout-tamara-james-1bbcb
This Saturday at St. Thomas University, the annual Orange Bowl Football Showcase will take place to help place high school prospects who want to play at the next level. STU head football coach Drew Davis talked about it.
COACH DREW DAVIS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/drew-davis-hc-st-thomas-university-orange-bowl-recruiting-showcase-3723d
Last weekend, a college recruiting fair was held to help high school seniors attain a scholarship. Monsignor Pace head coach Anthony Walker stopped by.
COACH ANTHONY WALKER ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-anthony-walker-miami-gardens-monsignor-pace-d4662
How are things going at FSU as spring football is a month away? Chris Nee from Noles247 talked Seminoles and looked at who has a chance to be special.
CHRIS NEE ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/noles-247-chris-nee-joins-to-talk-about-fsu-football-d9244
On Sunday, Plantation American Heritage rising senior (2027) offensive lineman Aiden Hartnett was named MVP at the Under Armour event. He joined the program to tell us about what’s ahead for this gifted prospect.
AIDEN HARTNETT ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/aiden-hartnett-junior-ol-plantation-american-heritage-e38b6
It’s been a busy off-season for the University of Miami football program and Jazz Santana from the Sixth Ring Canes Podcast dropped by to break it all down.
JAZZ SANTANA ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/jazz-santana-of-the-sixth-ring-canes-football-d0fd6
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
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..
It’s been three months since Miami Palmetto’s heart-breaking loss in the 7A state semifinals, and the Panthers are still stinging from something that may never go away.
The 45-44 two overtime loss at Vero Beach, which would have sent veteran head coach Mike Manasco and his Panthers to the state title game for the first time in school history is something that is serving as fuel this off-season as this program is now among the top teams in the state and understands that anything short of getting to that final game would be a disappointment.
While there are several seniors who will be moving on, it will be up to the underclassmen and newcomers to finish the business that ended on that December night in Indian River County.
As we know, high school football is different than it has been – with student/athletes moving from school to school, and while this roster should pretty much remain the same, several new faces will be added in the coming months.
CLASS OF 2027 RISING SENIORS WILL BE COUNTED ON
With that loss to Vero Beach fresh on the minds of the returning players, this rising senior (2027) class will take the lead role this off-season and benefit from their experience.
Among those current rising seniors include Mathias Augustin (LB), Denzley Balthazar (LB), Eythan Bargman (DB), Kemoni Brooks (CB), Aiden Butler (RB), Ari Cromartie (OL), Bomani Francis (LB), Rashad Fuller (OL), Roberto Gonzalez (DE/OLB), Victor Guerrero (DL), Brandon Howard (OLB/DE), Kaden Howard (WR), Antonio Jackson (DL), Cory Johnson (LB), Elijah Johnson (OL/DL), Joshua Lamons (DB), Julian Sanchez (OL), Deyon Smith (LB/S), Jahni Smith (RB), Kelsey Veargis (DB) and safety Armond Weston.
UNDERCLASSMEN WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT
With several teams standing in the way once again in 2026, the underclassmen will be vital to this success of this program.
Among those 2028 rising juniors will be Ben Ballie (TE/DE), Britton Bayag (WR/FS), Baudelin Bontemps (DB), Julian Alvarez-Briz (OL), Jayden Diaz (OLB/DE), Nathan Katz (WR), Nicolas Lacayo (OL), Jefftavious Lyons (WR), Daniel Paulino (OL), Santana Rogers (RB), Jason Rolle (DB), Fletcher Spann III (LB) and offensive linemen Alex Urbina.
There are also Class of 2029 rising sophomores who figure to step up as well. Prospects such as Travis Godbolt Jr. (LB), Kaden Hunter (OL), Malik Lamons (WR), Haydrian Molina (QB), Landon Polizzano (K/P), Abriyam Radcliff (CB), Mario Stallings (DB) and defensive back Shawn Strozier.
2025 Miami Palmetto Panthers
Miami Booker T. Washington, W 35-0
Miami Southridge, L 34-34
Miami Christopher Columbus, W 24-21
Miami Killian, W 42-21
Coral Gables, W 43-0
Homestead South Dade, W 45-7
Miami Northwestern, L 28-0
Miami High, W 43-7
Fort Myers Bishop Verot, W 20-10
Coral Springs Coral Glades, W 42-0
Miami Christopher Columbus, W 27-10
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman, W 65-41
Vero Beach, 45-44 (2OT)
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
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..