St. Thomas Aquinas Rolls In Day 1 of The Kreul Classic
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
CORAL SPRINGS – The St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball team made it clear one significant quarter would end any upset bid by Notre Dame Prep (Connecticut) in their first game of the BSN Sports Bracket of the Kreul Classic on Thursday.
Up by one at the half, the Raiders blew the game wide-open and outscored their opponent 21-2, along with 15 rebounds in the third quarter enroute to solid 63-46 victory over the Lancers at the Coral Springs Gymnasium on Thursday.
The Raiders (6-1) advance to play St. Francis Prep in a semifinal on Friday at 7 p.m.
“I told them to play the way we can play,” said Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “Defensively we weren’t getting stops. We want to play fast and got some stops in transition and that was basically it.”
Sophomore guard Kellson Sandi led the Raiders with 19 points, while Clarence Westbrook added 16 points.
ST THOMAS AQUINAS 63, NOTRE DAME PREP (CT) 46
STA (6-1): Wimberly 3-3-10, Elliott 0-4-4, D Sandi 3-0-6, K Sandi 7-4-19, Westbrook 8-0-16, Accius 3-2-8.
NDP (0-1): Dunlap 3-0-6, Greaves 0-3-3, White 3-0-6, Stephenson 1-0-2, Coleman 2-0-4, Charlot 3-4-10, Tuozzoli 0-5-5, Reed 2-0-4, Sallers 2-2-6.
St Thomas Aquinas: 21, 8, 21, 13, - 63.
Notre Dame Prep: 13, 15, 2, 16, - 46.
3-Pointers: Wimberly, K Sandi. Half: STA 29-28.
PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER 64, PACE ACADEMY (GA) 54: Senior guard Maximo Ortega scored a game-high 22 points to lead four teammates scoring in double-figures for the Jaguars (5-2).
Senior guard Jackson Ferry led the Knights (10-1) with 18 points.
PPC (5-2): Walters 1-0-2, Ortega 6-9-22, Hughes 4-0-10, Days 5-2-14, Guishard
-4-16.
PA (10-1): Lusakueno 1-4-6, Craft 1-0-3, Chatfield 4-3-14, Bing 2-0-4, Ferry 6-2-18, Clark 3-0-9.
3-Pointers: Ortega, Hughes 2, Days 2, Craft, Chatfield 3, Ferry 4, Clark 3. Half: PC 21-19.
ST. FRANCIS PREP (NY) 72, GRAY COLLEGIATE (SC) 36: The Terriers kept their unbeaten record intact early into the season as Ethan Butler scored 21 and Oesoemaria Sacko scored 20 in the first game of the Kreul Classic on Thursday.
A quick start to the game helped lead the Terriers (4-0) to a 25-8 first quarter lead and 41-18 advantage by the half.
Snior guard Vere Anthony added 16 points for the winners.
Senior guard Lamont Britt led the War Eagles (2-4) with 12 points.
SFP (4-0): Griffin 1-0-2, Desna 1-0-2, Anthony 6-2-16, Chen 1-0-2, Huggins 2-2-6, Cruz 1-1-3, Butler 9-0-21, Sacko 7-2-20.
GC (2-4): McDuffie 2-1-5, Arthur 1-0-2, McGraw 2-1-6, Rowe 1-1-3, Britt 5-1-12, Tyler 1-1-3, Ball 2-1-5.
3-Pointers: McGraw, Britt, Anthony 2, Butler 3, Sacko 4. Half: SFP 41-18.
NORTH MECKLENBURG (NC) 68, WAXAHACHIE (TX) 42: Chadlyn Traylor scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Vikings on the first day of the Kreul Classic in Coral Springs.
The Vikings put the game out of reach when they outscored their opponent 25-9 in the third quarter for a 54-27 lead.
Junior guard Ashton Pierce added 17 points, while Exzavier Young Young added 12 points.
The Indians (7-6) were led by junior guard Trae Nunn with 12 points.
NM (7-1): Traylor 7-4-20, Evans 3-0-6, Williams 0-1-1, Pierce 6-1-17, Lewandowski 1-0-3, Young 6-0-12, Estwick 0-1-1, Davis 1-0-2, Matthews 1-0-2, Jones 2-0-4.
W (7-6): Williams 0-1-1, Brown 1-2-5, Bradley 3-2-9, Gatewood 2-1-6, McBride 1-0-3, Jones 2-0-4, Nunn 5-0-12, Harbert 2-0-5.
3-Pointers: Brown, Bradley, Gatewood, McBride, Nunn 2, Harbert, Traylor 2, Pierce 4, Lewandowski. Half: NM 29-18.
JDCH CHALLENGE
THOMAS JEFFERSON (NY) 66, MIAMI NORTHWESTERN 64: Senior guard Conner Spratley scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Orange Wave (6-0), but it was a basket at the buzzer that handed Northwestern (7-1) the loss.
Trevor Lewis added 14 points, while Jahda Swann and Matt Wilson each had 13 points.
Dwight Carter led the Bulls with 16 points and Jamiro Smith had 13 points.
TJ (6-0): Swann 4-5-13, Spratley 7-4-18, Wilson 5-2-13, Morris 1-0-2, Tanase 3-0-6, Lewis 5-3-14.
MNW (7-1): Russell 5-2-12, Dawson 4-0-8, McKenney 1-0-2, Baker 1-1-4, Smith 5-2-13, Carter 5-5-16, Naverrete 3-0-9.
3-Pointers: Wilson, Lewis, Baker, Smith, Carter, Naverette 3. Half: TJ 33-31.
LEXINGTON CATHOLIC (KY) 69, DWYER 59: Junior forward Max Meagher had a game-high 25 points to lead the Knights (3-2). Hank Woodall added 17 points.
Tamari Reed led the Panthers (6-4) with 21 points.
LC (3-2): Gambrell 2-1-5, Warren 2-0-4, Harward 1-2-4, Holland 4-0-12, Stuart 1-0-2, Meagher 11-3-25, Woodall 8-1-17.
D (6-4): Quince 3-2-8, Shuler 4-0-8, Koronas 2-0-5, Reed 8-2-21, Gallin 3-4-10, Hanna 1-0-2, Brown 1-0-2, Lawrence 1-1-3.
3-Pointers: Holland 4, Koronas, Reed 3. Half: LC 32-25.
STRANAHAN 72, HARVEST PREP (OH) 68: Christian Yeargin, a junior guard, score the second most points of Day 1 at the Kreul with a game-high 31 points for the Dragons (8-4). David Nealy added 12 points.
Khalil Daniels had 19 points and Antwon Pollard 17 points for the Warriors (3-2).
S (8-4): Yeargin 12-1-31, Foster 3-0-8, Simeon 3-2-8, Martin 2-3-6, Brown 1-1-3, Nealy 4-2-12, Heagle 0-2-2.
HP (3-2): Wharton 1-1-4, Jones 1-0-3, Daniels 8-2-19, Roddy 4-4-13, Colvin 2-0-4, Pollard 6-2-17, Campbell 4-0-8.
3-Pointers: Yeargin 6, Foster 2, Martin, Nealy 2, Wharton, Jones, Daniels, Roddy, Pollard 3. Half: STR 38-33.
WESTERN 62, KELL (GA) 57: Maddox Fowles, a 6-8 senior forward scored 19 to lead the Wildcats (7-1). Calvin Thompson added 17 points.
Zach Graves led the Longhorns (9-2) with 16 points.
W (7-1): Lewis 1-0-2, Bolden 2-0-6, Frisby 3-6-14, Thompson 5-2-17, Mitchell 2-0-4, Fowles 9-1-19.
K (9-2): Graham 1-0-3, Staphylaris 2-5-10, Love 2-0-5, Jones 3-1-7, Graves 4-6-16, Lee 2-0-5, Hall 2-0-5, Rouse 2-2-6.
3-Pointers: Bolden 2, Frisby 2, Thompson 5, Graham, Staphylaris, Love, Graves 2, Lee, Hall. Half: WST 31-27.
PUBLIX SERIES
DEERFIELD BEACH 38, MONARCH 28: Ryan Reckley Jr. and Vasney Prospere combined for 22 points to lead the Bucks (7-1).
Benjamin Boutin was the leading scorer for the Knight (3-6) with 10.
DB (7-1): Prospere 5-1-11, Reckley 4-3-11, Hardy 1-2-5, Brown 0-1-1, Miller 2-1-5, Jewell 2-1-5.
M (3-6) Boutin 4-1-10, Jean-Baptiste 1-0-2, Mason 1-1-3, Campbell 2-0-4, Williams 1-0-2, Lewinsky 3-1-7.
3-Pointers: Hardy, Boutin. Half: DB 16-13.
TARAVELLA 58, CORAL SPRINGS CHARTER 48: Sophomore guard Guy Henderson of the Trojans led all scorers with 19 points.
Three other players scored in double figures for Taravella (4-4) as they outscored the Panthers 21-7 in the third quarter.
Charter (5-3) was led by senior guard Cam Fearon with 14 points.
T (4-4): Arriaga 3-0-8, Florea 4-2-10, Henderson 8-3-19, Shorter 4-2-10, Pitts 5-0-11.
CSC (5-3): Morgan 4-2-12, Fearon 5-2-14, Malcolm 1-0-3, Brown 1-1-3, Christian 5-0-10, Sertuci 2-0-6.
3-Pointers: Arriaga 2, Pitts, Morgan 2, Fearon 2, Malcolm, Sertuci 2. Half: CSC 27-21.
CARDINAL GIBBONS 65, FORT PIERCE CENTRAL 47: The Chiefs won their fifth consecutive game as Justus Herbert, AJ Ambrose and Marcus Perrier combined for 54 points.
Gibbons (9-2) never trailed after outscoring the Cobras 25-7 in the first quarter.
Central (3-2) was led by senior Christian Maxon with 15 points.
CG (9-2): Ambrose 6-3-18, Herbert 8-3-19, Fernandez 1-0-3, Perrier 6-4-17, Schrieber 2-1-6, Wyche 1-0-2.
FPC (3-2): C Maxon 6-0-15, C Maxon 1-0-2, Spriggs 3-0-8, Bynes 2-0-5, Gayle 3-0-6, Fequiere 5-0-10, Clements 0-1-1.
3-Pointers: Ambrose 3, Fernandez, Perrier, Schrieber, C Maxon 3, Spriggs 2, Bynes. Half: CG 38-18.
LAKE WORTH 55, SOUTH PLANTATION 49: The top scorer on the first day of the Kreul Classic goes to Sean Standifer, a 6-6 senior forward, with 37 points that included six three-pointers for the Trojans (3-5).
Senior wing Lathan Coleman scored a team-high 19 points for the Paladins (9-4). Travis Chin added 16 points.
LW (3-5): Standifer 12-6-37, Bewley 3-1-7, McCloud 1-0-2, Stoitchkov 1-0-2, Dumorne 2-2-7.
SP (9-4): Liberal 1-0-2, Collier 3-3-9, Chin 6-1-16, Coleman 7-4-19, Domine 1-0-3.
3-Pointers: Standifer 6, Dumorne, Chin 3, Coleman, Domine. Half: SP 25-22.
Play resume today and Saturday.
PHOTO CAPTION: Sophomore Nate Accius (No. 11) of St. Thomas Aquinas goes up for a shot against Notre Dame Prep defense at the Kreul Classic on Thursday.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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MIAMI GARDENS – For the second straight year, head coach Bill Rychel and his St. Thomas University football team will be playing in the post season.
When the No. 5 Bobcats host No. 10 Georgetown College on Saturday at 12 noon in the second round of the NAIA playoffs, they will look to continue a solid season that watched this team drop a heartbreaker earlier in the year to defending national champion Keiser University.
After a first-round bye, the Bobcats and Tigers will be one of eight games that will take place this Saturday.
Here is a look at the rest of this week’s 2nd Round schedule:
(1) Keiser (FL) vs (20) Pikeville
(2) Grand View (IA) vs (16) Friends (KS)
(3) Indiana Wesleyan vs (15) Southwestern (KS)
(4) Montana Western vs (14) Dickinson State (ND)
(6) Morningside (IA) vs (12) MidAmerica Nazarene
(7) Montana Tech vs (11) Northwestern (IA)
(8) Texas Wesleyan vs (9) Benedictine (KS)
No. 10 Georgetown College, Kentucky (8-2) at No. 5 St. Thomas University (9-1)
Saturday, November 30, 12 noon
AutoNation Field
16401 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33054
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE TIGERS
HEAD COACH CHRIS OLIVER
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ryan Burke, LS, 5-9, 185, Sr., Groveport Madison, Kentucky
Blake Gossett, OL, 6-2, 280, Sr., Louisville Male, Kentucky
Jacob Harmon, DL, 5-11, 290, Hamilton, Ohio
Jayson Hayes, DB, 6-3, 190, Centerville, Ohio
Chad Holleran, LB, 6-4, 235, Sr., Frankfort County, Kentucky
Darius Neal, RB, 6-0, 215, Sr., Lexington Frederick Douglass, Kentucky
Luke Olive, TE, 6-4, 240, Sr., Lexington Dunbar, Kentucky
Justin Richardson, DB, 5-10, 189, Sr., Suwannee Collins Hill, Georgia
Romarian Warner, DL, 6-3, 290, Sr., Lexington Frederick Douglass, Kentucky
Dillon Warner, WR, 6-0, 185, Sr., Harrodsburg Mercer County, Kentucky
2024 SCHEDULE
@Montana Tech, L 29-22
@Pikeville, Kentucky, W 23-20
@Alabama A&M, L 24-16
Reinhardt, Georgia, W 34-31
Faulkner, Alabama, W 45-14
@Cumberland, Tennessee, W 14-9
Bethel, Tennessee, W 24-3
Cumberland, Kentucky, W 19-16
@Campbellsville, Kentucky, W 24-17
@Lindsey Wilson, Kentucky, W 27-10
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY BOBCATS
HEAD COACH BILL RYCHEL
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Duece Dunbar, DE, 6-3, Sr. (Port St. Lucie West Centennial)
Nick Engler, DE, 6-4, 260, Grad Student (Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast)
Rontavious Farmer, RB, Sr. (Cocoa)
David Hayes, WR, 6-4, Sr. (Tampa King)
Geno Lubin, WR, 5-10, 175, So. (Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman)
Jerome Mitchell Jr., DB/Returner, 5-10, So. (Lantana Santaluces)
Caleb Walker, DB, 5-10, Grad Student (Tampa Jefferson)
Keely Watson, QB, 6-2, Jr. (Neptune Beach Fletcher)
Kendall Wilson II, LB, 5-10, Sr. (Apopka Wekiva)
Khalitri Zow, WR, 6-2, Grad Student (Orlando Oak Ridge)
2024 SCHEDULE
Louisiana Christian University, W 56-10
Saint Xavier University, Illinois, W 33-14
Miami Gardens Florida Memorial University, W 45-17
Keiser University, L 31-27
University of Fort Lauderdale, W 80-0
@Ave Maria, W 40-24
Webber International University, W 45-44
@Lakeland Southeastern University, W 20-17
@Thomas University, Georgia, W 56-14
Warner University, W 60-32
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By Trish Christakis - CBS4
On Wednesday, December 4th, the best high school football senior in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will gather with their families at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens as the annual Nat Moore Trophy will be awarded, announced live at 7:30 p.m. with a special airing on CBS Miami and streaming on CBSMiami.com.
This yearly event has indeed become an event and honor that prospects all over the region hold in high esteem – and something that they can proudly carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Jeremiah Smith (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), who is now a freshman star at The Ohio State University, the list has narrowed to just four student/athletes for this year.
THE NAT MOORE AWARD
A native of Florida, born in Tallahassee, Nat Moore grew up in Miami, where he attended Miami Edison Senior High and Miami-Dade Community College.
At the University of Florida, he was a star running back and later inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1978. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1974 and was a star wide receiver for thirteen seasons from 1974 to 1986.
Over his 13-year playing career, Moore recorded 510 receptions for 7546 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns and ranks in the top three in Dolphin’s history in each of those three categories.
Moore retired in 1986 as an all-time Dolphin great.
He is currently the team's senior vice president of special projects and alumni relations. His post-retirement career is filled with humanitarian work and philanthropy.
In 1984, the NFL voted Moore as "Man of the Year" for outstanding service to his community and he received the Byron White Humanitarian Award in 1986.
In 1998, he created the Nat Moore Foundation, which works with disadvantaged kids in Miami-Dade County in efforts to make sure they receive the best education possible.
FOUR OF THE BEST ARE HEADED TO HARD ROCK STADIUM
The nominations are in and here are the four finalists. The voting period opened on Nov. 19 and closes on Nov. 30.
Here's a look at each of the four finalists and their stats (names in alphabetical order):
Ben Hanks Jr.
Miami Booker T. Washington
VIDEO: https://www.hudl.com/profile/16372248/Ben-Hanks-Jr
Ezekiel Marcelin
Miami Central
VIDEO: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17070413/61b097dc386d9a07dc1faba9
Malachi Toney
Plantation American Heritage
VIDEO: https://www.hudl.com/profile/17846385/Malachi-Toney
Ennio Yapoor
Miami Norland
VIDEO: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14792479/Ennio-Yapoor
You too can nominate your favorite high school football player at NatMooreTrophy.com.
The CBS Miami team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSMiami.com.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – Over the years the annual Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan football rivalry game has had its outstanding individual performances.
Friday in the 66th meeting between the schools, it was senior Vila Jozama’s turn to shine.
The defensive back came up with a pair of big-time plays helping determine the outcome of the Flying L’s 17-0 victory at Lockhart Stadium on Friday.
The victory was bittersweet for assistant coach Richard Dunbar IV had stepped in for his father Richard Dunbar III, who suffered a gun shot wound a day after a postponed game against Halladale in mid-September,
“Oh man this victory was a blessing,” said Dunbar IV. “I feel like it was meant to be, it was meant to happen. I was meant to take over.”
The 17-point shutout win was the first for the Flying L’s since the two teams first met in 1958. It was also their eighth shutout all-time in the rivalry. Despite the loss, Stranahan still leads the series 41-23-2.
With the game still in doubt late in the third quarter, Jozama took a direct snap from center racing untouched for a 73-yard touchdown run for 14-0 lead with 2:24 left in the third quarter.
Following a 31-yard field goal by Brandon Guerrero increased the Fort Lauderdale (4-5) lead to 17 points, Jozama squashed any thoughts of a Stranahan comeback with an interception late in the final quarter.
“On the touchdown, the ball was coming to me, and I said all right I’m going to make the play to turn the game around,” said Jozama. “Coming into the game we said we’re not going to stop. Games like this are always important.”
Fort Lauderdale took advantage of an early turnover, scoring on a Armani Strong 16-yard run with 3:49 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Stranahan (4-5) had several chances to produce points, including getting to the Fort Lauderdale one-yard line in the first quarter, before mistakes failed them.
“Fort Lauderdale made a couple of big plays that were the difference tonight,” said Stranahan coach Jack Candy. “We made some plays, but we just didn’t get in the endzone. We just played sloppy bad football tonight.”
Stranahan junior running back Leroy Cooks led all runners with 75 yards on 15 carries.
FORT LAUDERDALE vs. STRANAHAN
Football History (Through 2024)
Stranahan leads All-time Series: 41-23-2
Stranahan All-Time points: 1,147
Fort Lauderdale All-time points: 812
Stranahan (Consecutive wins): 16 (1985-2000)
Fort Lauderdale (Consecutive wins): 6 (2013-2018)
Stranahan (shutouts): 14
Fort Lauderdale (Shutouts): 7
Stranahan (Mort points scored in game): 48 (2003)
Fort Lauderdale (Most points scored in game): 33 (2016)
Most points in game (Both teams): 75 (2003, Stranahan 48-27)
Year Winner Loser Score
2024 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 17-0
2023 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 30-14
2022 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (OT) 20-14
2021 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-0
2020 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-20
2019 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 28-23
2018 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22-0
2017 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 24-19
2016 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 33-21
2015 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 2-0
2014 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan T 0-0
2013 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 23-0
2012 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 26-19
2011 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 23-6
2010 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 38-16
2009 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 45-24
2008 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 29-14
2007 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 3-0
2006 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 25-14
2005 No game Hurricane Wilma Xxxxx
2004 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 27-14
2003 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 48-27
2002 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 28-7
2001 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 14-7
2000 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-0
1999 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 41-0
1998 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 15-0
1997 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 25-0
1996 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 33-14
1995 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-0
1994 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 24-6
1993 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 9-6
1992 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-0
1991 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-0
1990 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 34-6
1989 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 22-21
1988 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 26-13
1987 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 25-0
1986 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-0
1985 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-8
1984 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 12-7
1983 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 25-21
1982 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 24-8
1981 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 17-14
1980 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 17-8
1979 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 7-0
1978 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 27-8
1977 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-10
1976 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 41-0
1975 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-0
1974 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-14
1973 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 13-12
1972 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 13-9
1971 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 29-7
1970 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22-21
1969 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 21-15
1968 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-13
1967 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-7
1966 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan T 14-14
1965 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-7
1964 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 26-6
1963 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 7-6
1962 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 20-0
1961 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 13-6
1960 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-13
1959 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-18
1958 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 14-13
1956: Stranahan played 10th grade football under coach Clyde Underwood
1923: Fort Lauderdale first game Miami 25-0 (coach Bob Porter first coach).
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – The St. Thomas Aquinas girls volleyball team inched a step closer to their eighth state championship in a very powerful way.
Mikayla Porter, Sydney Guerrier and Emmi Merhi combined for 24 of the Raiders 47 kills to cruise past South Plantation 25-7, 25-11, 25-12 in a Class 6A regional final on Wednesday.
The victory moved Aquinas a step closer to defending their state title and possible eighth over championship. They will face Land O’Lakes Sunlake (15-8) in a state semifinal match on Nov. 8 at Polk State College in Winter Haven at 10 a.m.
Should the Raiders advance they would face the winner of the Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer/Gulf Breeze winner. The championship match is set for Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
“We were very offensive tonight, and everyone contributed,” said St. Thomas coach Lisa Zielinski. “The inside was strong and the outside was scoring. It wasn’t just one player. It was multiple players that were scoring.”
The victory was the third of the season against South Plantation, all in straight sets. Aquinas has won 10 consecutive matches against the Paladins (20-4) dating back to 2008, while losing just one set.
Overall, the Raiders have outscored the Paladins 25-2 in sets won.
The Paladins hung tough down two sets to none, trailing 11-6 and 20-12 in the third set before the Raiders closed out the match with five straight points that included a Porter kill to seal the victory.
“Our front row is very aggressive,” said Porter. “That’s one thing we have and other teams know. We’re all such a good team with such good players. We come together do get it done.”
St. Thomas was clearly the better team from the onset.
The ended the first set on a 12-2 run with Porter’s deciding kill.
An indication of how one-sided the regional final was, is the Paladins’ longest point streak was held to three, but not until Aquinas led 20-9 in the third set.
Overall, the Raiders had all the right moves to a clear victory.
Senior outside hitter Tameary Wardlaw had eight digs and Makia Brooks had six digs along with her match high 17 assists.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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