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.