By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – In the 2024 BCAA Big 8 girls basketball tournament guard Jaelynn Housey dropped 40 points against Western in the first-round game and added another 38 points in loss to Blanche Ely the following night.
Waiting for another big-time moment finally came for the Titans senior guard in the championship game against St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale High.
With under 30 seconds left in regulation Housey proved she was clutch again with a pair of key baskets that would lead the Titans to a 56-52 victory over Aquinas.
“This definitely a great moment for our team,” said Housey. “Our goal was to continue to work as a team. This win is a surreal moment. It’s great.”
It was Nova’s fourth Big 8 championship and first since 2018.
“She’s a special kid that makes coaching look a lot easier,” said Nova coach Jason Hively. “That kid shows up every day, every night. She’s been doing that her whole career. She was the reason we won this tonight and she’s the one we earned this tonight.”
Nova (19-4) had to fight off all the Raiders’ chances to take a late lead. But it was Housey’s late key baskets as time wound down that secured the Titans victory.
Housey got sufficient support from Ya’iyah Young with 13 points, J’Yan Tyrell (11 points and Kr’mora Evans (10 points).
“This is the most complete group we’ve had since 2018,” said Hively. “We’ve been in the gym working really have the past couple of weeks. This is the type of momentum looking ahead into districts.
Nova’s win snapped a three-game losing streak against Aquinas. The Titans lead the series against Aquinas 23-3 in games played over the past 25 years.
Aquinas (15-8) was led by senior forward and Notre Dame signee Isabella Sangha with 22 points, with 10 points coming in the fourth quarter that kept the Raiders close.
Sophomore guard London Thomas added 16 points but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“It’s tough to fight back when you put yourself in a hole,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Emily Williams. “When you go against good team, sometimes you fall short.”
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 – It took the St. Thomas Aquinas boys basketball team 28 years to win its first BCAA Big 8 boys championship last year.
With a chance to become a repeat champion the Raiders need only one year to become the eighth team to become a back-to-back winner.
Led by Junior guard Clarence Westbrook Jr., 22 points, the Raiders defeated Miramar 68-60 Saturday night Fort Lauderdale High.
Westbrook averaged 25.7 points through three games and was named the tournament MVP. He scored 30 points in the Raiders Big 8 opener against Boyd Anderson.
“We got off to a good start,” said Westbrook. “We set the tone and in the second half we felt the score was still 0-0. We played hard because Miramar is a very good basketball team. The chemistry we have here is unmatched. We work hard in practice every day for moments like this. That’s why we got the job done.”
Aquinas (21-4) got off to a fast start and outscored the Patriots 35-15 in the first half after all five starters for the Raiders combined for 21 second quarter points.
“Our guys are relentless and resilient and that’s why we were able to win back-to-back championships,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “We’ve been in multiple moments like this including last year’s state championship.”
Westbrook added 14 second half points to offset any Miramar (17-8) comeback Kellson Sandi added 12 points, Derek Sandi 11 points and Zane Elliot 10 points.
Now the Raiders will focus district and regional tournament play as the seek to defend their Class 6A state championship.
The Raiders defense did a solid job in preventing only one player to score in double digits.
Jayson Negin was Miramar’s biggest threat as the junior guard led the Patriots (17-8) with 22 points.
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.
When first year head football coach Johan Betancourt looks back at the 2025 season, he sees so many positives for Miami Ransom Everglades.
In a year when the Raiders finished 7-5 and advanced to the state playoffs before losing to then unbeaten Miami Immaculata LaSalle, this was a program that showed that hard work and dedication to the sport certainly paid off.
With the off-season fully underway and the returning players looking to build on what happened this past season, the focus is on 2026 – and while this program has not been a power on the gridiron in the past, Betancourt, his assistant coaches and the returning players want to change the way this school is viewed when it comes to football.
THE 2027 CLASS WILL BE A GREAT PLACE TO START
When the year finished and this program looked at the prospects who would be returning for the 2026 season, it was that rising senior class (2027) that would be a great place to start.
While the Raiders lost some quality talent, who moves on, the players coming back will bring talent, experience and leadership to the table.
Among those players to keep an eye on include Alec Martinez-Bolivar (P/K), Spencer Geller (RB/CB), Tyler Grossfeld (SS/WR), Coley Hucks (DE/OT), Lachlan Kelleher (RB/LB), Zack Myones (OL/DE), Hunter White (TE/LB), Nick Torres (LB) and kicker Thomas Nima.
UNDERCLASSMEN WILL ADD TALENT AND DEPTH
As any program changes from year-to-year, this team will add some new faces but will also bring back some of the younger prospects who made an impact in 2025.
Class of 2028 standout Colton Smith (WR/SS) leads the way with some elite players. He has been playing at a high level – year-round for two years already – with 7-on-7, camps and combines only enhancing what he brings to the table as a top-flight football prospect.
In addition to Smith, the rising junior class (2028) also features standout Noah Alce (RB/FS), Matthew Guavara (QB), Quinnard Mays (DE/OLB), Finn McCarron (WR/CB), Robbie Stieglitz (DE/LB), Albert Uster (LB) and versatile Hans Van de kreeke (CB/WR).
The Class of 2029 will also be loaded with potential – with Will Duncan (RB), Alfonso Llanes (QB), Benjamin Rodriguez (WR/CB), Landon Elfenbein (FS/WR), Evans Branch (WR/DE), Harrison Filler (K/QB), Aiden Cohen (OL), David Martin (OL), Evan Powe (OL/DT), Callum Kelleher (DE), Alex Bontas (WR), Connor Yagnik (DE) and offensive lineman Chris Torres.
RANSOM EVERGLADES 2025 RESULTS
North Broward, W 21-0
Somerset Academy Silver Palms, L 9-7
New Smyrna Beach, L 21-3
Miami Palmer Trinity, W 28-0
Miami Westminster Christian, L 22-0
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 21-17
Miami Springs, W 35-14
Davie NSU University School, W 43-0
Miami Booker T. Washington, W 35-0
Miami Gulliver Prep, W 20-13
Miami Immaculata LaSalle, L 42-16
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..
We are now into February and the South Florida High School Sports Radio Show took center stage for an hour with two impressive guests on a Monday night.
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 went:
The Miami Jackson High Generals’ football program has been searching for a positive direction and with the hiring of former standout Kenyatis Lewis, they made a move in the right direction. Listen to what the new head coach had to say about the program and the future of this legendary program.
COACH KENYATIS LEWIS ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/head-coach-kenyatis-lewis-of-miami-jackson-high-school-86223
After appearing in the national championship game last month, the buzz around the University of Miami has not been this loud in over two decades. With a solid freshman class and the portal producing some elite talent, there is plenty to be excited about. Geo Milian follows this program year-round and talked about all the positives going on in Coral Gables.
GIO MILIAN ON MONDAY NIGHT. https://www.audacy.com/podcast/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-5af98/episodes/geo-milian-univeristy-of-miami-football-reporter-90a17
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..
When it comes to developing talent, there are very few coaches in south Florida that have done the job that Rex Nottage has done through the years.
Being at a program like North Broward Prep in Coconut Creek for a number of years, watching the job that this staff continues to do in teaching and elevating talent certainly adds up – like 2026 when the program reached the opening round of the state playoffs.
While losing to eventual state champions Sarasota Cardinal Mooney in that game, it only served that when you attend this school, you not only receive an amazing education in the classroom, but this is a football team that continues to promote and expose their student/athletes year-round.
Because Nottage and the staff have long been about teaching fundamentals and the benefits of having a strong weightroom, a number of quality prospects begin their career in this elite environment.
Like many smaller private schools, especially one like one this program has, having a number of players on the rosters is always an issue, but heading into the off-season, the Eagles do have some players coming back as rising seniors.
That 2027 class will include Zephaniah Brammer (CB/RB), Braxton Bylow (WR), Aidan Field (LS), Stone Golden (CB), Thor Hwasta (OLB), Sammy Kovari (QB/LS), Ryan Redmin (P), Miguel Rocha (DT), Mateo Sanchez (K/P), Daniel Tabraue (OL) and versatile lineman Joel Tabraue (OL/DL).
YOUNGER PLAYERS COULD MAKE AN IMPACT
While the senior class will always give any program experience and leadership, it’s the underclassmen, who not only add talent but also depth as well. With Class of 2028 (rising juniors) players Dylan Baxley (RB), Hunter Bristol (TE), Troy Burns (DB), Jacob Paul (WR), Ari Raines (DE), Eduard Shmandura (WR/SS) and outside linebacker/safety Christian Silverman, there are prospects that have a chance to be special.
Class of 2029 rising sophomores Damon Alexandre (NG/OG), newcomer Christian Deering (Athlete), Ralph Diaz (QB), Patrick Farrell (WR/SS), gifted Noah Finkelstein (LB) and defensive Nick Warren, there will be some players to keep an eye on. Class of 2030 rising freshman offensive lineman Jordan Terk is expected to emerge as well.
NORTH BROWARD PREP
Miami Ransom Everglades, L 21-0
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, W 31-14
Pembroke Pines Charter, W 28-12
Delray American Heritage, L 49-24
Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s Academy, L 31-9
Deerfield Beach Somerset Key, W 50-0
Boca Raton Saint John Paul II Academy, W 27-24
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy, L 28-7
Coral Springs Charter, W 17-14
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, L 20-14
Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, L 55-7
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..