By Dave Brousseau
CORAL SPRINGS – All the right components came into place for the Boyd Anderson boys’ basketball team in their Class 6A regional quarterfinal against the Coral Springs Colts on Saturday.
Though the Cobras lost their past two games against the Colts, including a district tournament game nine days ago, that all changed swiftly.
Led by junior guard Hatem Chehade, he led five other teammates with 19 points for and impressive 99-83 victory.
The Cobras (16-9) to a regional semifinal game next Saturday against defending 6A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas.
“We’ve been trying to get our guys to do this all year with our size advantage,” said Boyd Anderson coach Admore White. “When we started making shots, everything sort of snowballed. We got some good looks and knocked them down.”
Historically, the Colts haven’t had the best games against the Cobras over the past 20 seasons.
The Cobras 99 points was the first time over 90 points since a 95-77 victory over Coconut Creek on Nov. 23, 2015.
As for the Colts it was the most they had allowed since district tournament loss to St. Thomas Aquinas.
The 99 points allowed to Boyd Anderson was the most since giving up 95 in a loss to Cypress Bay on Dec. 7, 2022.
Boyd Anderson built a 55-24 lead at the half and led by 25 after three quarters.
Coral Springs (19-9) did its best to narrow the gap in the final quarter. Senior guard Craig Bryant Jr. did his best to rally his team with five 3-pointers and 22 points. Despite leading all scorers with 32 points, the Colts fell short.
Brandon Jean added 18 points for the Cobras, while Jaydan Silvera had 17 points, Niteno Pierre had 15 points, Juawayne Walters 14 point and Kevin Alesis 10 points.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 72, MATER ACADEMY 50: Clarence Westbrook Jr’s led the Raiders (24-4) with 19 points, while Nate Accius added 19 points.
BOYS REGIOAL QUARTERFINALS
Class 7A:
Western 54, Cypress Bay 53
Coral Glades 77, West Broward 53
Class 6A:
St. Thomas Aquinas 72, Mater Academy 50
Boyd Anderson 99, Coral Springs 83
South Plantation 58, Dwyer 55
Miramar 69, Fort Lauderdale 55
Class 5A:
Pembroke Pines Charter 69, Jensen Beach 33
Plantation 73, Archbishop McCarthy 71
Class 4A:
Stranahan 73, Key West 36
Class 3A:
Cardinal Gibbons 76, Gulliver Prep 49
Class 2A:
Miami Country Day 58, Chaminade-Madonna 51
SATURDAY’S REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
Class 7A:
Western (17-8) at Columbus (22-6)
Coral Glades (20-7) at Miami Palmetto (23-5)
Class 6A:
Boyd Anderson (16-9) at St. Thomas Aquinas (24-4)
South Plantation (13-9) at Miramar (20-8)
Class 5A:
Atlantic (20-7) at Pembroke Pines Charter (18-6)
Plantation (21-6) at Belen Jesuit (23-5)
Class 4A:
Miami Northwestern (17-6) at Stranahan (13-13)
Class 3A:
Pine Crest (18-8) at Cardinal Gibbons (21-6)
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.