By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
LAKELAND – Perhaps it was the most significant 16.2 seconds in Fort Lauderdale Stranahan High boys’ basketball history.
Down by six, a miraculous series of events change the outcome in the Class 4A state championship at the RP Funding Center on Thursday.
Isaiah Brown, the Dragon’s 6-9 junior center, tipped ball at the rim scored the winning points with four seconds left for a 63-62 victory over St. Petersburg Gibbs.
On the inbounds Gibbs desperation attempt fell short, as the Dragons celebration went into high-octane mode.
The Stranahan (25-7) victory is the school’s fourth state championship, joining three other BCAA boys’ basketball teams with titles, joining Blanche Ely, Dillard and Fort Lauderdale High.
“It feels good to sit at the big table and eat a steak sometimes,” said Stranahan coach Edward Schuler said. “We ate catfish for a long time, but since 2019, we’ve now got four…Wow, I get emotional just thinking about it. We always teach them there’s always time on the clock and to never give up.”
The improbable comeback went into high gear with 16.2 seconds left to determine Stranahan’s fate.
Sophomore guard Damari Foster kick-started the Dragons when connected on a three-pointer with 16.2 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 62-59. After a Stranahan timeout.
Gibbs turned the ball to Stranahan on the inbound pass, giving the comeback addition life.
Foster was fouled while shooting a three with 11.8 seconds left, giving him three free throw attempts. He made the first two of three attempts.
Junior Christian Yeargin, who led Stranahan with 21 points, came up with the rebound and as he falling out of bounds tossed it back to Brown, who stood underneath the basket.
He positioned himself for the winning shot, dropping the ball right through the hoop.
“I really didn’t know how much time we had left so I just went up and put it in and the rest is history,” Brown said. “Biggest shot of my life.”
“The lights were getting real dark, but we had to keep moving and turn them back on,” added Brown. “We did it.”
Brown’s score won it, but Stranahan didn’t get there without Foster’s heroics, which capped an 18-point, five-assist game.
Without Foster’s late game heroics, the Stranahan rally likely would have fallen short.
“All season we knew we might be in a situation like that, and we were ready,” Foster said. “I wasn’t that nervous at the foul because my coach just said to lock in, and I did. This feels amazing.”
David Nealy added 11 points for the Dragons. Jacob Daniels led Gibbs (27-5) with a team-high of 19 points.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
LAKELAND – The Pompano Beach Blanche Ely Tigers boys’ basketball team can gain elite status among Broward County public schools.
Following the 67-45 victory over St. Petersburgh High in a Class 5A state semifinal on Wednesday, Blanche Ely can become the first in Broward with nine state titles and the first and only to win a championship un three different coaches.
First year coach J.R. McNabb would join Wade Edmond (1993) and Melvin Randall (Seven titles between 2007-2019).
Of course, the Tigers (19-9) would need to defeat Ponte Vedra (22-8) on Friday at the RP Center on Friday.
Ely was led by Kaleb Corbitt with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jayelen Jonas had 11 points, with eight coming on easy slams dunks.
The Tigers trailed 9-8 midway through the first quarter, then with all systems go went on a 12-0 to end the first quarter and never trailed again.
Despite the 22-point victory, the Tigers outscored St. Petersburg 42-20 in the paint and had a decisive edge on fast break points 18-2.
“We started out slow knot doing our job defensively,” said Blanche Ely coach McNabb. “They got a lot of points from the line. Once we dug deep and did our job, secure rebounds. Once we defend at a high level and take care of the ball, we’re a pretty good team.”
“Our best offense is our defense. We like to fly around and get back in transition. We’ve put together a competitive schedule. We’re back where Blanche Ely belongs, he added.”
Kalen Corbitt’s basket midway through the opening quarter gave the Tigers a 10-9 lead which they kept for the remainder of the first half.
Ely kept the lead for the remainder of the opening half, that included a 12-1 run to end the first quarter. Dylan Hanna and Jordan Corbitt each hit three-pointers as part of the run.
The Tigers held onto lead for 13:18 of the first half. They did a great job spreading the ball around with seven players scoring points.
Despite staying in front, the Tigers defense helped overcome their 10 turnovers.
“In the beginning we came out slow and fell behind,” said guard Justin Snell. “We’re a fast-paced team and like to run downhill. We knew we were the better team and came out in the second half to show it. The job isn’t done.”
The four slams by Jones also added energy to the Tigers’ big win.
“My teammates are like my family as they are always looking to me,” said Jonas. “This is a great feeling. This is my first time here and I love it.”
Blanche Ely improved to 4-0 all-time against St. Petersburg with all the wins coming pin the playoffs. The previous meeting was 73-58 Tigers win on Mar. 9, 2018 in a Class 8A state semifinal.
St. Petersburg (18-11) last state title came in 1933 defeating Tampa Plant 21-13, 92 years ago.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
LAKELAND – One game left to end the drought.
After the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team dismantled Punta Gorda Charlotte, 69-42, in the FHSAA Class 6A state semifinal on Thursday at the RP Funding, the 24-year title drought is within reach of ending.
Since the Raiders won the 2001 state title under coach Steve Strand, 18 BCAA boys’ teams have played in or won an FHSAA state championship entering 2024.
The Raiders (29-2) will play Orlando Evans (25-6) on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the title game. Like Aquinas, Evans is also stuck in a championship stigma winning their lone title in 1975.
The Raiders never trailed and during a 15-0 run that began at the end of the first quarter until 3:22 into the second quarter, a 30-8 lead spelled the pending victory in Aquinas’ favor.
The victory extended the Raiders’ winning streak to 13, with 14 on hold till Saturday.
“It feels good, but our job is not done,” said Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. We expected to be in the State Championship game and taking the next step forward as far as our school history is concerned.”
“We had a week to prepare. We basically had a week to prepare to be in an environment like this. I wasn’t worried about the moment. They’ve been in big moments all season, he added.”
Sophomore guard K.J. Sandi opened the second quarter with three straight 3 pointers. All six of his baskets were from long distance, while finishing with 18 points.
Clarence Westbrook Jr. added 19 points, including three from distance.
“Our energy was good from the start, and we were locked in offensively and defensively,” said the sophomore guard. “We moved the ball and were able to knock down shots. We never let up and that’s why we got the win.”
K.J. Sandi added: “It was about my teammates getting me the ball and I got good shots.” “We just had to stay locked in on defense, share the ball and stay consistent. My teammates really helped me.”
Senior forward Dwayne Wimbley added 12 points, while DJ Sandi finished with 10 points.
With four players in double digit scoring, the Raiders’ ability to distribute successfully led to 19 assists having never trailed in the game. Charlotte managed only six assists
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
LAKELAND – The Fort Lauderdale Stranahan boys’ basketball team now can join what only two other Broward public schools have done before.
That’s winning four state championships.
The Dragons closed in on that opportunity with a 72-55 victory over Jacksonville Ribault in a Class 4A state semifinal on Tuesday at the RP Funding Center.
Stranahan (24-7) advances to the state championship on Thursday against St. Petersburg Gibbs at 7 p.m.
Stranahan has three titles to its credit. The first in school history came in 2019 (6A), following that with the 4A title in 2020 and a 5A title in 2022.
The combination of a stingy defense and scoring from Esron Simeon and Christian Yeargon was plenty enough to end the Trojans season.
“We came out in a zone, they got hot, and we switched to man-to man,” said head coach Edward Schuler. “We’re going to enjoy the next 24 hours and get back to it tomorrow.”
“We knew they had four left handers so out mission was to push them right they whole game and to stay on your man,” Schuler continued. “Off the rebound we played Stranahan basketball, staying in your lane and get the ball. We’re young and if this team wins, we have a chance to go back-to-back and do something special.”
When Damari Foster scored late in the second quarter for a 29-28 lead, the Dragons never trailed again. By the second half the lead ballooned into double-digits as the Trojans never threatened again especially them being held to 37-percent shooting from the field.
“It was defense playing Stranahan basketball,” said Simeon, who led the team with 21 points. “That’s all it was. That’s just us playing our game in doing what we do.”
With the Dragons defense doing its job, the offense took advantage of converting on 8 of 19 three-point attempts. Ribault made only three baskets from long-range, giving Stranahan plus 15 in scoring.
“This feels great,” said Yeargin, who had 20 points. “We’ve been here three times before. We want to build a legacy. We’re coming back to get our rings.”
Foster added 15 points, while David Nealy added 12 points.
If Stranahan comes home with a fourth state championship, they will join Pompano Beach Blanche Ely and Fort Lauderdale Dillard with at least four state championships.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
OAKLAND PARK – For the first time in the history of Oakland Paek Northeast High girls’ basketball, dating back to 1974, the Hurricanes are advancing the state tournament.
Led by senior guard Nykeria Flowers’ 26 points, the Canes’ held on to defeat Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 56-54 in a Class 5A regional final on Friday at a sold-out gymnasium at Northeast High.
The Hurricanes (28-2), winners of 12 consecutive games, will play their semifinal game on March 5 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
The final minute was frantic as Ely led 54-52 with 1:25 to play. Junior guard Jazmine Jones tied the score on a short jumper. The Hurricanes got the ball back on a rebound in which freshman Shanesha Johnson’s layup was good for the final points of the game at 56-54.
The two-point margin of victory was the smallest of the season having previously won four other games by single digits.
“Nykeria is the leader of our team,” said Northeast coach Lawrence Hanna. “She told the girls at the half that the game isn’t over. She went out after halftime and showed everybody.
“We’re so happy for the opportunity to play at the state tournament. We’re going to make the most of it. On our first day of practice, I told the girls we would be going to state. We planted that seed, and we let them see the benefits.”
After years of struggling for victories, the 2024-25 team’s 28 wins equaled the total amount of wins through nine seasons ranging 1996-97 through 2006-07.
Friday’s win gave the Hurricanes their second win of the year over Ely. Their previous four losses to the Tigers from 2017-21, they were outscored 325-64.
“I’m so glad we did this in my senior year,” said Flowers. “This season has been a blessing. “We won the BCAA, the district and regional and now we’re going to Lakeland. This feels great to have the opportunity to win a state title.”
Flowers aggressive moves to the basket were crucial for her team as she had 13 third quarter points that helped tie the score to 44-44 entering the final quarter.
A key element that helped determine the final margin of victory was the difference at the free throw line for both teams.
The Hurricanes were 16 of 23 from the line with Flowers making 9 of her 10 attempts. The Tigers made 12 of 23 attempts. The differential helped determine the outcome of the game
“Our team fought through adversity but came up short down the stretch,” said first year Ely coach James Green. “Northeast is a good team and is well coached.”
Jones and Brainna Lovett each scored 10 points to support Flowers performance. The Tigers got 17 points from junior guard Teriyah McFadden and 12 more from Amari Johnson.
Ely (17-8) was seeking to win the school’s third state girls basketball championship.
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