By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

LAKELAND – The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team has spent the previous 24 years without winning a state championship.

Led by senior forward and Florida State signee Dwayne Wimbley’s 22 points, and key baskets by K.J. Sandi, D.J. Sandi and Clarence Westbrook Jr. late in the fourth quarter, Aquinas overcame a third quarter 15-point deficit to defeat Orlando Evans 71-63 for the Class 6A championship at the RP Funding Center on Saturday.

The state title extended ended the season with a 14-game winning streak.

With the drought over, the celebration has just begun for the lifetime of memories.

St. Thomas Aquinas (30-2) had been here before, trailing to Coral Springs by 15 points, in a regional playoff game for before rallying.

St. Thomas coach Julius Sandi prepared his team for games and moments like Saturday.

“We created a tough schedule knowing it would prepare us for this moment,” said  Sandi. “We had a great year and built the pressure. Every team from south Florida had won a state championship and we had to make sure we got the sweep. We knew we had to be calm and do what we do.”

Entering the decisive fourth quarter the Raiders had already cut into the deficit and inched to within a point of Evans lead following a K.J. Sandi three-pointer with 3:47 to play.

“We did what we had to do,” said Aquinas sophomore guard K.J. Sandi. “It was win it or nothing. We had to stay calm, stay ready, stay locked in or it wouldn’t have worked.”

At three points down, Sandi tied the game at 60-60 with another trey. D.K. Sandi added to the 10-2 run rally with a pair of baskets, following three more point by Westbrook.

The Raiders ended the dramatic comeback with the 22-7 fourth quarter rally for the  ages.

“It’s the best feeling ever because this is exactly what I came here to do,” said Wimbley Jr., who also had 11 rebounds. “This was our goal from the beginning, and we did it. We’ve been in that situation; I don’t know how many times. That just shows the determination these guys have. I love these boys. Almost every tournament we’ve been in, we’ve been down. It shows you how bad we wanted it.”

Despite trailing for three quarters, St. Thomas Aquinas showed signs a comeback was in the making. The Raiders field-goal percentage after the first quarter was 21.4, while Evans each a high of 70 percent in the second quarter.

In the end the Raiders improved dramatically from the field, while Evans (25-7) shot just 18.2 percent from the field in the deciding fourth quarter.

Westbrook finished with 15 points, D.J. Sandi with 13 points and Nate Accius 10 points.

The comeback was complete as was the long drought dreaming for a championship.

The Raiders lone championship came in 2001 under former coach Steve Strand when they defeated Belleview 69-57 for the Class 5A title.

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
dbrouss76@gmail.com

By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

LAKELAND – Perhaps it was the most significant 16.2 seconds in Fort Lauderdale Stranahan High boys’ basketball history.

Down by six, a miraculous series of events change the outcome in the Class 4A state championship at the RP Funding Center on Thursday.

Isaiah Brown, the Dragon’s 6-9 junior center, tipped ball at the rim scored the winning points with four seconds left for a 63-62 victory over St. Petersburg Gibbs.

On the inbounds Gibbs desperation attempt fell short, as the Dragons celebration went into high-octane mode.

The Stranahan (25-7) victory is the school’s fourth state championship, joining three other BCAA boys’ basketball teams with titles, joining Blanche Ely, Dillard and Fort Lauderdale High.  

“It feels good to sit at the big table and eat a steak sometimes,” said Stranahan coach Edward Schuler said. “We ate catfish for a long time, but since 2019, we’ve now got four…Wow, I get emotional just thinking about it. We always teach them there’s always time on the clock and to never give up.”

The improbable comeback went into high gear with 16.2 seconds left to determine Stranahan’s fate.

Sophomore guard Damari Foster kick-started the Dragons when connected on a three-pointer with 16.2 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 62-59. After a Stranahan timeout.  

Gibbs turned the ball to Stranahan on the inbound pass, giving the comeback addition life.

Foster was fouled while shooting a three with 11.8 seconds left, giving him three free throw attempts. He made the first two of three attempts.  

Junior Christian Yeargin, who led Stranahan with 21 points, came up with the rebound and as he falling out of bounds tossed it back to Brown, who stood underneath the basket.

He positioned himself for the winning shot, dropping the ball right through the hoop.

“I really didn’t know how much time we had left so I just went up and put it in and the rest is history,” Brown said. “Biggest shot of my life.”

“The lights were getting real dark, but we had to keep moving and turn them back on,” added Brown. “We did it.”

Brown’s score won it, but Stranahan didn’t get there without Foster’s heroics, which capped an 18-point, five-assist game.

Without Foster’s late game heroics, the Stranahan rally likely would have fallen short.

“All season we knew we might be in a situation like that, and we were ready,” Foster said. “I wasn’t that nervous at the foul because my coach just said to lock in, and I did. This feels amazing.”

David Nealy added 11 points for the Dragons. Jacob Daniels led Gibbs (27-5) with a team-high of 19 points.

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
dbrouss76@gmail.com

By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

LAKELAND – The Pompano Beach Blanche Ely Tigers boys’ basketball team can gain elite status among Broward County public schools.

Following the 67-45 victory over St. Petersburgh High in a Class 5A state semifinal on Wednesday, Blanche Ely can become the first in Broward with nine state titles and the first and only to win a championship un three different coaches.

First year coach J.R. McNabb would join Wade Edmond (1993) and Melvin Randall (Seven titles between 2007-2019).

Of course, the Tigers (19-9) would need to defeat Ponte Vedra (22-8) on Friday at the RP Center on Friday.

Ely was led by Kaleb Corbitt with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jayelen Jonas had 11 points, with eight coming on easy slams dunks.

The Tigers trailed 9-8 midway through the first quarter, then with all systems go went on a 12-0 to end the first quarter and never trailed again.

Despite the 22-point victory, the Tigers outscored St. Petersburg 42-20 in the paint and had a decisive edge on fast break points 18-2.

“We started out slow knot doing our job defensively,” said Blanche Ely coach McNabb. “They got a lot of points from the line. Once we dug deep and did our job, secure rebounds. Once we defend at a high level and take care of the ball, we’re a pretty good team.”

“Our best offense is our defense. We like to fly around and get back in transition. We’ve put together a competitive schedule. We’re back where Blanche Ely belongs, he added.”

Kalen Corbitt’s basket midway through the opening quarter gave the Tigers a 10-9 lead which they kept for the remainder of the first half.

Ely kept the lead for the remainder of the opening half, that included a 12-1 run to end the first quarter. Dylan Hanna and Jordan Corbitt each hit three-pointers as part of the run.

The Tigers held onto lead for 13:18 of the first half. They did a great job spreading the ball around with seven players scoring points.

Despite staying in front, the Tigers defense helped overcome their 10 turnovers.

“In the beginning we came out slow and fell behind,” said guard Justin Snell. “We’re a fast-paced team and like to run downhill. We knew we were the better team and came out in the second half to show it. The job isn’t done.”

The four slams by Jones also added energy to the Tigers’ big win.

“My teammates are like my family as they are always looking to me,” said Jonas. “This is a great feeling. This is my first time here and I love it.”

Blanche Ely improved to 4-0 all-time against St. Petersburg with all the wins coming pin the playoffs. The previous meeting was 73-58 Tigers win on Mar. 9, 2018 in a Class 8A state semifinal.

St. Petersburg (18-11) last state title came in 1933 defeating Tampa Plant 21-13, 92 years ago.

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
dbrouss76@gmail.com

By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

LAKELAND – One game left to end the drought.

After the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team dismantled Punta Gorda Charlotte, 69-42, in the FHSAA Class 6A state semifinal on Thursday at the RP Funding, the 24-year title drought is within reach of ending.

Since the Raiders won the 2001 state title under coach Steve Strand, 18 BCAA boys’ teams have played in or won an FHSAA state championship entering 2024.

The Raiders (29-2) will play Orlando Evans (25-6) on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the title game. Like Aquinas, Evans is also stuck in a championship stigma winning their lone title in 1975.

The Raiders never trailed and during a 15-0 run that began at the end of the first quarter until 3:22 into the second quarter, a 30-8 lead spelled the pending victory in Aquinas’ favor.

The victory extended the Raiders’ winning streak to 13, with 14 on hold till Saturday.

“It feels good, but our job is not done,” said Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. We expected to be in the State Championship game and taking the next step forward as far as our school history is concerned.”

“We had a week to prepare. We basically had a week to prepare to be in an environment like this. I wasn’t worried about the moment. They’ve been in big moments all season, he added.”

Sophomore guard K.J. Sandi opened the second quarter with three straight 3 pointers. All six of his baskets were from long distance, while finishing with 18 points.

Clarence Westbrook Jr. added 19 points, including three from distance.

“Our energy was good from the start, and we were locked in offensively and defensively,” said the sophomore guard. “We moved the ball and were able to knock down shots.  We never let up and that’s why we got the win.”

K.J. Sandi added: “It was about my teammates getting me the ball and I got good shots.” “We just had to stay locked in on defense, share the ball and stay consistent. My teammates really helped me.”

Senior forward Dwayne Wimbley added 12 points, while DJ Sandi finished with 10 points.

With four players in double digit scoring, the Raiders’ ability to distribute successfully led to 19 assists having never trailed in the game. Charlotte managed only six assists

Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
dbrouss76@gmail.com