By Dave Brousseau
JACKSONVILLE – While Miami-Dade County boys & girls were turning heads once again at the University of North Florida this past weekend, it was also time for the #954 to show basketball fans across the state of Florida and beyond what they bring to the table as well.
Broward County brought home two boy’s and one girl’s title of the four schools who headed north.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS GIRLS WIN 6A STATE TITLE, BEATING PALM BAY BAYSIDE.
The start of the 2025-26 high school girls’ basketball season wasn’t particularly kind to St. Thomas Aquinas.
They opened the 2025-26 schedule at 12-6, while struggling through injuries
Winners of 11 of their last 12 games, the Raiders won 10 of those games by no fewer than 23 points
Led by sophomores London Thomas and Catalina LaFreniere, who together combined for 35 points, head coach Emily Williams and St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Bayside 65-22 to win the FHSAA Class 6A state title.
So convincing was the lopsided victory, the Raiders led by as many as 45 points late in the third quarter. In their two state tournament games they outscored their opponents by 66 points.
Most rewarding, other than the accomplishment than the state title, Aquinas became the second BCAA girls’ basketball team to win five state championships over six seasons. The Raiders previously won championships from 2021-24.
Dillard was the first to achieve such a feat from 2010-13 and 2015 under coaching great Marcia Pinder.
Ronneisha Thomas added 13 points and Isabella Sangha 10 points and 11 rebounds.
How convincing was this championship run, the Raiders also scored no fewer than 60 points in three regional games, state semifinal and final.
GUISHARD LEADS PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER TO CLASS 5A BOYS STATE TITLE
The Pembroke Pines Charter boys basketball team needed to win one specific part of its Class 5A championship game against Fleming Island.
Led by Robert Guishard’s game-high 21 rebounds and 19 points, the Jaguars capitalized on the team rebound edge 47-29. The result was a hard-fought 52-48 victory, earning Pines Charter it’s third state championship since 2021.
Though the score was close throughout, the Jaguars had the lead for just over 25 minutes.
Head Coach Dave Roca and Pines Charter (22-6) led 33-31 entering the final quarter but never trailed at any point in the final quarter, despite Fleming Island closing within 48-47 with 37 seconds left in regulation.
Made free throws through the final seconds determined the result.
Zacuras Dawson added 12 points and Alex Vardakis 11 points for Pines Charter, who finished the season on a seven-game winning streak
Fleming Island finished their season at 23-9
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BOYS DEFEAT ORLAND EVANS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT 6A STATE TITLE
For the first time in the history of St. Thomas Aquinas athletics, the boys’ basketball program can now call itself a state champion in consecutive seasons.
After a miraculous come from behind fourth quarter rally that led the Raiders to their first state title since 2001, there was no doubt on the outcome on Saturday.
Led by leading scorer Clarence Westbrook Jr.’s 21 points, Aquinas rolled to a 67-51 victory over Orlando Evans on Saturday at the University of North Florida.
Aquinas joined a list of BCAA boys basketball teams that have won back-to-back state championships. That includes Blanche Ely, Dillard and Stranahan.
Trailing 14-5 after the first quarter, the Raiders showed what they’ve been made of this season by playing consistent, dominating basketball. They outscored Evans 26-6 in the second quarter and never trailed again.
St. Thomas shot 47-percent from the floor in the second quarter, while the Raiders defense which was key all season, held Evans to 16.7 shooting percentage. Aquinas never relented their 31-20 halftime lead.
Aquinas (28-4) ended their championship season on a 12-game winning streak, their longest of the season, with all but one of those victories by double-digits.
As usual balanced scoring played an important role.
Asides from Westbrook’s big game, Kellson Sandi had 16 points, while Zane Elliott and Drake Sandi each had 10 points.
BLANCHE ELY’S GIRLS FALL SHORT IN 5A TITLE GAME
The opportunity to win the Class 5A girls state basketball championship was within striking distance for Pompano Beach Blanche Ely.
Holding a three-point lead with 1:53 left in regulation, the Tigers were poised to earn their fourth title in school history and first since earning the 6A championship in 2020.
Unfortunately, a layup by Janiya Dennis would by the team’s final points as Pensacola Booker T. Washington scored the final five points to earn a 56-54 victory.
Ely struggled down the stretch with a pair of turnovers and the team’s lone missed shot by Isyss Mims with 46 seconds left in regulation.
The Tigers led by as much as eight points in the third quarter.
Mims finished with a team-high 17 points, while Teriyah McFadden added 14 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.