By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – Of the 10 BCAA girls basketball teams that qualified for the 2026 FHSAA regional quarterfinals games on Friday, the winners proved their potential for a potential state championship run.
St. Thomas Aquinas, winners of multiple state titles, showed they are one of the remaining five teams that advanced to next week’s regional semifinals.
Led by senior Isabella Sangha’s game-high 22 points, the Raiders cruised past Homestead 69-13 for their 10th consecutive regional quarterfinal win.
Aquinas 18-8) will host Mater Academy Charter in a Class 6A regional semifinal game on Friday at 7 p.m.
“I think games like tonight are good for us for confidence booster,” said Aquinas coach Emily Williams. “This was a game we looked to get everybody in to keep our confidence up looking toward our next game.”
Aquinas led 24-2 in the first quarter holding the Broncos to its first basket with 3:53 remaining.
Sophomore forward Laila Barnett added 15 points, while sophomore guard Catalina LaFreniere had 12 points.
Sophomore guard London Thomas was a non-injury scratch.
NOVA 61, DWYER 22: Jaelynn Housey scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Titans (22-4). Ke’mora Evans added 15 points
Nova will host Martin County in their regional semifinal game on Friday.
MCARTHUR 50, JENSEN BEACH 44: Nylah Lewis led the Mustangs with 15 points, while Christie Lewis added 10 points.
GIRLS REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS
Class 7A:
Park Vista 52, Douglas 43
Western 61, Boca Raton 18
South Dade 48, Cypress Bay 32
Class 6A:
St. Thomas Aquinas 69, Homestead 13
Mater Academy 58, Coral Springs 32
Nova 61, Dwyer 21
Martin County 69, South Broward 14
Class 5A:
Blanche Ely 71, Archbishop McCarthy 17
McArthur 50, Jensen Beach 44
Class 3A:
Keys Gate Charter 62, Cardinal Gibbons 28
FRIDAY’S REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
Class 7A: South Dade (11-9) at Western (20-7)
Class 6A: Mater Academy (18-8) at St. Thomas Aquinas (18-8); Martin County (14-13) at Nova (22-4)
Class 5A: McArthur (15-9) at Blanche Ely (18-5)
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.