By Dave Brousseau
There has been plenty of action in the first few days of the Kreul Basketball Classic and here are a few highlights from the boys’ and girls’ events.
DAWKINS SET SCORING RECORD
Since the 2015 Kreul Classic, Jeffrey Prophett of Fort Lauderdale High has held the scoring record for most points through three games in the tournament history with 104.
During the game between Pembroke Pines Charter and Ben. L. Smith (North Carolina) that record is no longer being chased.
Jyi Dawkins, a 6’4 senior guard, became the new all-time individual record holder with 115 points late in the fourth quarter of the Golden Eagles 73-62 loss to the Jaguars at the Coral Springs City Gymnasium.
“It’s been really fun playing with my teammates allowing me to get 2000 points in my career,” said Dawkins. “It a great feeling to become the all-time scorer of this tournament. It is a great accomplishment.”
Dawkins, who was named to the Kreul All-Tournament Team, also set the tournament record with 30-plus points in each of his three games on a free-throw.
with 36.3 points left in the game. In addition, he also recorded his 2000th career point on the same free throw.
Dawkins will be playing college basketball next season at Western Carolina.
EXCITING ACTION THROUGHOUT….
The regular season schedule that Coral Glades boys’ basketball coach Stefan Whittingham assembled was built to challenge his team.
The Jaguars’ latest test came against Alexander (Ga.) in a Coral Springs Series game as part of the Kreul Classic at Coral Glades High.
Tied at 28 at the half, the Jaguars changed the narrative outscoring their opponent by 12 in the second for a 69-57 victory.
“It was a great game,” said Whittingham. “We put a lot of time into our game plan today. Our guys executed it to perfection and that’s why we were able to win tonight.”
We needed a game like this, to get a big win. We found a way to get it done.”
Senior guard Kyler Theophile dropped 15 points, and Donovan Swain added 13 points to pace the Coral Glades (6-4).
Gavin Reed added another 11 points.
The Cougars (5-2) were led by Torian Green with 17 points. Gregory Dunson added 12 points.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 71, CORNER CANYON 63: The Raiders (9-1), the defending FHSAA Class 6A state championships got another strong performance from junior guard Clarence Westbrook Jr. with a game-high 23 points.
Support also came from Kellson Sandi (18 points) and Drake Sandi (10 points).
The Chargers (6-5) were led by Josh Tolman with 21 points and Evan Brown with 17 points.
RANDALL REMAINING CALM AT COURTSIDE HAS LED TO SUCCESS: Melvin Randall’s calm demeanor has been the successful formula of his winning boys’ basketball games for four decades.
In his fifth season as the Miami Northwestern coach, he’s inching closer to 700 career victories achieved with success at Deerfield Beach High, Blanche Ely High and Chaminade-Madonna.
The veteran coach added another victory with 62-61 overtime win over Waxahachie (Tx.) in the Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital Bracket as part of the 36h annual Kreul Classic at Coral Glades High.
“It’s very important to remain calm,” said Randall. “If I work to react in a hostile way, my players will see me in a panic stag, what do you think would happen to them.
They would do the same thing. If you can get inside me there’s a serious storm going on.”
Randall remained calm with his team on Friday, despite their opponent taking the Bulls (8-1) to overtime.
Northwestern fought off Waxahachie upset bid with strong late game play from Giovanny Desire (23 points) and Jakeel Baker (17 points).
“My coaching style makes me extremely proud, proving I’m still doing something right,” said Randall. “Our team is progressing well. We’re on point with the players on how well they are doing.”
Senior guard Michael Gatewood led the Indians (8-7) with 20 points. Kaleb Jones added 18 points.
JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BRACKET
CARDINAL GIBBONS 75, KELL 44: Senior guard Justus Dylan-Herbert scored a team high 18 points to lead the Chiefs (8-1).
Ayden Ambrose added 15 points and Chandler Sikes 12 points.
HOLY CROSS 66, CORAL SPRINGS 52: The Knights overcame an early 10-point deficit with a strong second quarter when they outscored the Colts 28-13 to earn the victory.
Leding the way for Holy Cross (3-5) was Donavan Medley and Payton Wilson with 14 points apiece.
Jahzir Crawford added 12 points.
The Colts (6-6) were led by senior guard Matt Croissy with 13 points.
NOTRE DAME PREP 51, SAN TAN CHARTER 46: The Lancers (3-0) rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to earn the in the first game of the bracket.
They were led by Jameer Reed’s 20 points and another 18 points from sophomore forward Joshua Charlot.
The Roadrunners (9-2) were led by Kristo Jackson with 18 points.
As a team, they were held to 14 second-half points.
BSN BRACKET
BISHOP IRETON 67, BEN L. SMITH 58: Senior guard Jyi Dawkins was everything for the Golden Eagles (6-1) as he scored a tournament high 34 to date despite the loss to the Cardinals (7-1) on Friday.
In addition, from his three 3-pointers, Dawkins was perfect from the line making each of his 11 attempts. He was the only player on his team to score in double figures.
Unfortunately, his effort fell short of a victory.
Senior guard Jake Bahr scored a team-high 24 points for Bishop Ireton, followed by 14 points form Salis Devonish and 12 more from Jaydem Mills.
CORNER CANYON 59, PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER 56: The Chargers (7-4) advanced to the bracket semifinals behind the 19 points from junior forward Moa Brown.
Dillon Roberts added 13 points, while Josh Tolman and Tyler Mortenson each had 10 points.
The Jaguars (5-2) got 19 points each from Zac Dawson and Robert Guishard.
BERGEN CATHOLIC, NEW JERSEY 71, STRANAHAN 42: Senior forward Julius Avent had a team high 16 points to lead a balanced Crusaders (3-0) victory.
Alex Mazzella added 12 points and Brandon McMilian 11 points.
Junior guard Damari Foster led the Dragons with 16 points.
CORAL GLADES 67, HIGLEY 59: Kyler Theophile, a 6’5 senior guard, scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Jaguars in the first round of the BSN Bracket.
Donovan Swain added 15 points.
Marquice Pless led the Knights (3-2) with 19 points
CORAL SPRINGS SERIES
ALEXANDER 84, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 45: Marquise Leslie led all scorers with 18 points for the Cougars (6-2). Jayden Crawford added 17 points.
The Lions (6-4) got 11 points each from Guiliani Blaise and Brandon Baker.
THE GIRLS ARE MAKING PLENTY OF NOISE AS WELL
In addition to the competitive action going on during the boys’ play, the girls have been getting it done as well.
POMPANO BEACH BLANCHE ELY GIRLS ROLL OVER ST. THOMAS AQUINAS.
In one of the biggest rivalries in Broward County girls’ basketball turned out to be a dud in a semifinal game in the Publix Bracket game between Blanche Ely and St. Thomas Aquinas played at the Coral Springs City Gymnasium.
Led by senior guard Teriya McFadden’s 15 points, the Tigers ran through the Raiders 58-37.
The 21-point margin was the most from a Tigers victory over Aquinas since the 56-24 win on Jan. 27, 2024. It also equaled the 75-54 victory on Dec. 4, 2019.
Isyss Mims added 13 points, and Miayah Standifer had 12 points.
Aquinas (7-4) got 15points from senior Ron’neisha Thomas. London Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, was held to nine points.
DORAL ACADEMY 68, RIVER RIDGE 58: Senior guard Stephanie Vega scored a game-high 22 points and senior forward D.J. Myers added 21 points as the Firebirds (8-3) rolled to the victory.
Ashley Martinez added another 19 points with a pair of three-pointers.
Junior forward Finely Parker led the Knights (6-3) with a team-high 20 points. Senior guard Makayla Roberson added 18 points and Reagan Mulligan 10 points.
BISHOP IRETON 56, GRANDVIEW PREP 41: Geornoe Davis and Isabel Studart each scored 12 points to lead the Cardinals (5-2) in a first round game of the Publix Bracket.
They led at the half by 15 points.
Jasleen Green led the Pride (7-2) with 16 points, while Victoria Valle added 11 points in the loss.
GATORADE BRACKET
PAUL VI 52, AMERICAN HERITAGE 48 (2OT): Senior forward Demi Gilliam led nine Panthers (5-2) players that spread the wealth in scoring with 13 points to hang on to a victory in double overtime.
Sabrina Ethridge and Sravya Janaparti each added nine points for the winners.
The Patriots (5-4) were led by Isabella Aloisio with 14 points while Zoe Rowe and Sarah-Renee Ingraham each added 10 points.
SACRED HEART 70, NORTHEAST 38: Senior guard Brianna Wilkins scored a game-high 15 points to lead three players in double figures for the Valkaries (5-1).
Tahri Ralston and Riley Gilven each added 14 points.
Sacred Heart decided the outcome of the game well before the final scored as they outscored Hurricanes 22-8 in the first quarter.
Despite the slow start, Northeast managed two players to score in double figures. Jate Hicks led the Hurricanes (5-3) with a game-high 17 points while Ta’Niyah Davis added 12 points. Only three other Northeast players managed to score a total of nine points.
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 51, KELL 49: Senior guard Emma Yogis led eight teammates with 12 points, all coming on four-made-3-pointers, to lead the Vikings (1-3).
After a low scoring first half that saw Kell holding a 23-20 lead, the Vikings paced by three 3-poiners from Yogis outscoring their opponent 22-9 to take a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns (8-2) never regained the lead again.
Sophomore guard Addison Payne added nine points and junior guard Sophie McDonald had eight points for the winners.
Senior guard Kennedy Deese scored a game-high 18 points and junior forward McKenzie Green 13 points in the loss.
SOUTH SHORE 47, DILLARD 19: The South Shore girls basketball team from Brooklyn (N.Y.) proved their opponent on Thursday still has plenty of room to improve.
The Vikings 34-4 halftime lead over the Dillard was too much to overcome.
Jayleen Jones and Tamaia Vines did most of the damage for the Vikings (8-0) against Dillard combined for 29 points.
The Panthers (9-2) were led by Gabrielle King with eight points.
RIVER RIDGE 68, SOUTH GARNER 61 (OT): Through three quarters the River Ridge girls’ basketball team from Woodstock (Ga.) fought an uphill battle against South Garner (NC).
The Knights (7-3) found the formula to earn a hard-fought victory by overcoming a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to win in overtime.
Reagan Mulligan and Finley Parker combine for 39 points to lead the Knights. Kyle Cantley added 15 points and Makayla Roberson 11 points.
Chloe Crawford led the Titans (5-4) with 13 points. Taylor Darden pitched in 11 points and Calise Crawford 10 points.
GRANDVIEW PREP 63, HOLY TRINITY 57: Victoria Valle scored 18, while Ameera Kone and Jasleen Green each had 17 for the Pride (8-2).
GATORADE BRACKET
SACRED HEART 67, SOUTH SHORE 58: The Valkyries (6-1) advanced to championship game against Paul IV behind 19 points each from Amirah Jordan and Brianna Wilkins.
Tahri Ralston added 12 points.
The Vikings (8-1) were led by Tamai Vines with 17 points and 10 points each by Amira Bernard and Sariyah Cooke.
PAUL VI 37, ARCHBISHOP WOOD 31: Th Panthers (6-2) trailed by one after three quarters, before outscoring the Vikings 16-9 in the fourth quarter.
Demi Gilliam, 6’1 senior forward, for the Panthers was the game’s only player to score in doubles figures with 15 points.
The Vikings dropped to 1-4 with the loss.
AMERICAN HERITAGE 55, NORTHEAST 31: Coming off a loss in the opening games of the bracket, the Patriots (6-4) rebounded behind the 15 points from Sarah-Renee Ingraham.
The 6’1 junior guard also got scoring support from Isabella Aloisio, Yinuo Wang and Kristijano Carattini. All three players finished with 10 points.
Freshman guard Jate Hicks was the Hurricanes (5-4) top scorer with 14 points.
KELL 66, DILLARD 59: The Longhorns (9-2) overcame an eight-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Panthers 20-8 in the third quarter to earn the victory.
Senior forward Amaya Thompson led Kell with 20 points, while Mckenzie Green added 14 points.
The Panthers (9-3) success runs through Gabriella King. She was the team’s top scorer with 18 points, despite fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Amaya Montgomery added 13 points.
CORAL SPRINGS SERIES
PROVIDENCE 60, WESTERN 55: Senior center Julianna Baskin scored 22 and Senior wing Kasey Davey scored 20 to lead the Stallions (7-3).
A 15-2 third quarter was the deciding point for Providence when they led 40-33 heading into the final frame.
The Wildcats (7-4) got 16 points from Madison Ojeda and 10 points each from Samantha Kormol and Tatum Billie.
MARTIN COUNTRY 54, KEYS GATE CHARTER 50: Katelyn Tanis led the Tigers (5-7) with 13 points. Karolina Ramirez and Brianna Valenzo each added 12 points.
Naya Hardisson scored 25 points for the Knights (5-4).
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.