By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – The journey toward for a third consecutive Class 6A state girls’ volleyball championship just got a step closer for St. Thomas Aquinas.

Led by senior Emmi Merhi’s 14 kills and 14 digs, the Raiders cruised to a convincing 25-4, 25-3, 25-9 victory over Mater Academy in regional semifinal match on Saturday.

Aquinas (25-4), winners of 14 consecutive matches, advances to a regional final at home against West Boca (11-12) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Raiders are 12-0 against West Boca dating back to 2007, outscoring the Bulls 32-3 in sets. Aquinas defeated West Boca 25-11, 25-16, 25-10 in a regional semifinal last year.

Aquinas was so dominated in the first two sets they recorded 17 consecutive points in the first set and 13 consecutive points in the second set.

“I thought we played very clean and didn’t have any unforced errors,” said Aquinas coach Lisa Zeilinski. “I thought we blocked very disciplined and defensively we had some great touches.”

Of the Raiders’ last 12 matches, they’ve lost only one set.

Senior Sydney Guerrier added 14 assists and five kills, while Leah Novatne had nine kills and Isabella Cabrera had seven kills and nine digs.

“Our practices are very competitive and when we get here, we put it all together and no one can beat us,” said Merhi. “We are unstoppable and are dominate. That’s the key when we perfect everything."

Hailey Trebbien assisted on 21 Raiders points and added four digs. Isabella Sangha, a senior commit to Notre Dame, didn’t play due to illness.

The Lions season ended at 13-5.

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.

By Dave Brousseau

PLANTATION – Plantation High football coach Darrell Strong felt confident about his teams’ chances going for a two-point conversion with 36.7 seconds left in regulation against Miami Norland.

His team had rallied from a 14-point deficit on a 53-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zakari Johnson with 3:12 left in regulation and a Johnson eight-yard toss to Desmond Christian.

A two-point conversion pass failed allowing the Vikings to hold onto a 35-34 victory at PAL Field on Friday.

“I liked out odds going for two points, feeling the ball was in our hands,” said Strong. “I made the decision to go for two.

After losing tonight we don’t control our destiny. Now we’ll get ready for South Plantation and see how things fall.”

Had the Colonels (5-4, 1-2) won they would have forced a tie with Archbishop McCarthy and American Heritage in District 15-4A play. The Vikings (5-5, 1-2) victory would likely keep them in place for the final spot for a regional quarterfinal game in two weeks.

The Vikings deciding touchdown came with some trickery with 3:54 left in the third quarter.

Junior quarterback Kai Moore tossed a backwards pass to sophomore wide receiver Armani Strong, who threw a deep pass to a wide-open Jaden Daniels for a 64-yard touchdown that gave Norland a 35-21 lead.

“This was a big win for us,” said Norland coach Horane Allison. “This was a program changing win. We made the change on Monday as far as the head coach goes. Because of that we had to reestablish ourselves as Norland High as we know ourselves to be.”

Moore finished his night with 267 yards passings, completing 22 of 27 attempts.

The Vikings had trailed 21-14 at the half before scoring 21 points in the third quarter.

They tied the score at 21 on the opening possession of the third quarter following a Kevin Peeples four-yard run. That was followed by an 80-yard punt return by Pepples.

Norland took the lead at 7-0 with 5:34 left in the opening quarter following a 28-yard scoring pass from Moore to running back Maurice Clark for a 7-0 lead.

Plantation answered on its following possession as Johnson connected with Christian for an 11-yard scoring pass with 36.4 seconds left in the first quarter. The point after was blocked.

Norland regained the lead on a 1-yard run through the center of the offensive line by Rashad Wallace for a 14-6 lead.

The Colonels rallied with pair of touchdowns before the half as Johnson scored a 22-yard run and Jemari Foreman returned an interception 80 yards with 31.4 seconds left for a 21-14 lead at the break.

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.

By Dave Brousseau

COCONUT CREEK – It was a game of big plays and momentum by both Coconut Creek and Atlantic in a meaningful District 14-5A game on Friday.

The winner would earn a step closer to the district title.

Trailing by three points, Coconut Creek had the opportunity to produce a winning drive after forcing the Atlantic to punt. The Cougars took possession at their own 47 with 6:22 to play.

Seven plays later a fumble at the Atlantic four was recovered by Eagles senior cornerback Ziyan Pride with 3:02 left in regulation.

Threat was over as Atlantic held on for a 33-30 victory.

“That was a tough call on the fumble, and we don’t complain about calls,” said Coconut Creek coach Chris Yeargin. “We needed to take advantage of their mistakes. My kids have grit and fight and that’s good.”

Coconut Creek (6-2, 1-1 in district) led 23-20 at the half after scoring 23 second quarter points.

Running back Jordan Thompson had a big night for the Cougars with nearly 150 yards rushing and a 35-yard touchdown run.

Creek took a 30-20 lead with 8:09 left in the third quarter following a Cayden Delions 9-yard scoring run.

On the Eagles’ ensuing possession, they closed the deficit to 30-26 on just two plays when sophomore quarterback Pedro Martinez connected with Horace Glenn on a 63-yard scoring pass with 6:32 left in the third quarter.

Atlantic (7-0, 2-0 in district) took the lead early in the fourth quarter when Martinez threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Mark Hanniford to lead 33-30.

Coconut Creek had a shot to send the game into overtime, but a lengthy field goal attempt fell way short.

“We are right there and can’t make mistakes,” said Yeargin. “We lost this game because we made mistakes. We normally play mistake free football. That wasn’t our characteristic, so we’ll bounce back.”

 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. 

By Dave Brousseau

PLANTATION – For the first time in six years, the Cypress Bay boys and girls swimming teams swept the team titles at the BCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the Plantation Aquatic Center.

As impressive as that may have been, the Fort Lauderdale girls individually did one better on Saturday.

Though the Flying L’s finished second to the Lightning for the team title in consecutive years, they pulled off a rarity by claiming the top three spots in two different events.

The triple threat of Da’Jah German, Katherine Voet and D’Ziah German, all members of the Swim Fort Lauderdale Club team, finished in order the top three spots in the 500-freestyle.

Fort Lauderdale accomplished another top three sweep earlier in the meet when Hayden Ferenc, Sophia Cavaretta and Ginger Boardman earned the top three places in 1-meter diving. They each finished in the same place in 2024.

It was the time that any girls swim teams accomplished that twice in the same BCAA Championships over the last five years.

“This feels amazing because we work hard together every single day and I think what we did today is definitely deserved,” said Da’Jah German, who entered the meet with an All-American consideration time of 4:53.19 in the 500 freestyle.

“I think the three of us really push each other, because we do a lot of the same things at practice,” said Voet. “We usually pace off each other. Racing together means a lot.”

The last time girls from the same team claimed the top three spots in an event was in the 100-fly in 2023. They were Julianne McCranie, Carolyn Levy-Powell and Lena Lajko.

Cypress Bay girls won the top three places in the 200-freestyle in 2021.

Da’Jah German and Voet also finished second and third in the 200-freestyle.

The Lighting completed the day with 410.5 points, while Fort Lauderdale was second (392) and St. Thomas Aquinas third (340).

Cypress Bay won the boys title with 624 points, finishing ahead of second place St. Thomas Aquinas (313) and third place Coral Springs Charter 251.

Cypress Bay’s sweep was their first in six years.

“I’m really glad we won the boys and girls titles for the first time in more than six years,” said Cypress Bay coach Rodrigo Mendes. “We struggled with the boys’ team the last five years. We’re a young team with many freshmen. Today’s win by more than 300 points was impressive.”

Sophomore Laila Harran of West Broward set a new meet record in the 200-yard freestyle with a winning time of 1:49.16. Her time bettered the record of Katheen Golding of Cooper City (1:50.39) set in 2018.

Harran set her second meet record in as many races winning the 50-freestyle in 23.16. Her time improved on her own record time of 23.23 set last year.

Carolyn Levy Powell of St. Thomas Aquinas won the 100-freestyle (52.64) was second in the 500-free (23.72). The Fort Lauderdale girls 200-yard freestyle relay broke their own meet record set last year’s with a time of 1:38.45.

Tajhari Williams of South Broward was a double-winner with victories in the 50-free (21.25) and the 100 backstroke (52.03).

The Cypress Bay boys broke the meet record 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:37.37. Stoneman Douglas held the record of 1:37.97 set in 2011.

BOYS

TEAM SCORES (Top 5)

1. Cypress Bay 624; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 313; 3. Coral Springs Charter 251; 4. Pompano Beach 236; 5. Stoneman Douglas 211.50 

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

200 Medley Relay: 1. Cypress Bay 1:37.37; 2. Coral Springs Charter 1:37.95; 3. South Broward 1:41.28; 200 Freestyle: 1. Ethan Persten (CGL) 1:44.87; 2. Roman Kondrashov (MSD) 1:47.51; 3. Guillermo Mantilla (CB) 1:48.48; 200 Individual Medley: 1. John Albornoz (CSC) 1:54.20; 2. Noah Mejias (CB) 1:56.38; 3. Becket Menacho (DB) 1:56.38; 50 Freestyle: 1. Tajhari Williams (SB) 21.25; 2. Brian Hamilton (CSC) 21.35; 3. Liam Fothergill (CB) 22.12; 100 Fly: 1. Noah Mejias (CB) 51.70; 2. Felipe Alverez (CB) 52.16; 3. Michal Michalek (COOP) 53.17; 100 Freestyle: 1. Ethan Persten (CGL) 47.55; 2. Brian Hamilton (CSC) 48.29; 3. Liam Fothergill (CB) 48.43; 500 Freestyle: 1. Kavon Clarke (CG) 4:44.71; 2. Becket Menacho (DB) 4:44.87; 3. Roman Kondrashov (MSD) 4:49.19; 200 Freestyle Relay: 1. Cypress Bay 1:29.03; 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 1:33.18; 3. Cooper City 1:33.62; 100 Back: 1. Tajhari Williams (SB) 52.03; 2. Felipe Alvarez (CB) 52.80; 3. Keagan Ives (CB) 53.70; 100 Breast: 1. Kai Rivera (SP) 1:04.81; 2. Nomar Alvarez (CB) 1:06.39; 3. Martin Petkov (PPC) 1:06.83; 400 Freestyle Relay: 1. Cypress Bay 3:15.78; 2. Coral Springs Charter 3:17.31; 3. Coral Glades 3:18.42; Diving: 1. West Pocker (FTL) 335.35; 2. Jacob Drysdale (CB) 263.35; 3. Daniel Silva (CGL) 136.90.

GIRLS

TEAM SCORES (Top 5)

1. Cypress Bay 410.5; 2. Fort Lauderdale 392; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas 340; 4. Stoneman Douglas 304; 5. Pompano Beach 249.5.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

200 Medley Relay: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 1:47.64; 2. Cypress Bay 1:53.53; 3. Plantation 1:54.27; 200 Freestyle: 1. Laila Harran (WB) 1:49.16; 2. Da’Jah German (FTL) 1:52.53; 3. Katherine Voet (FTL) 1:53.83; 200 Individual Medley: 1. Victoria Colmenares (PPC) 2:35.46; 2. Molly Chaison (CSC) 2:34.25; 3. Bella Schubow (MSD) 2:33.79; 50 Freestyle: 1. Laila Harran (WB) 23.16; 2. Carolyn Levy Powell (STA) 23.72; 3. Neika Gayle (24.58; 100 Fly: 1. Sophia El Chantiry (MSD) 57.17; 2. Aina Rodriguez (PB) 57.24; 3. Zoe Schnoeller (FTL) 58.09; 100 Freestyle: 1. Carolyn Levy Powell (STA) 51.64; 2. Carley Kaplan (WB) 54.02; 3. Caroline Almeida (FTL) 54.39;  500 Freestyle: 1. Da’Jah German (FTL) 5:01.07; 2. Katherine Voet (FTL) 5;08.04; 3. D’Ziah German (FTL) 5:11.34; 200 Freestyle Relay: 1. Fort Lauderdale 1:38.45; 2. Plantation 1:39.77; 3. Douglas 1:41.21; 100 Back: 1. Lena Lajko (STA) 58.69; 2. Mariana Montes (CSC) 1:00.86; 3. Georgina  Henriquez (WEST) 1:01.41; 100 Breast: 1. Neika Gayle (PLAN) 1:06.12; 2. Addison Scott (STA) 1:06.39; 3. Olive Jones-Torres (CB) 1:12.07; 400 Freestyle Relay: 1. Fort Lauderdale 3:36.012; 2. Stoneman Douglas 3:38.54; 3/ St. Thomas Aquinas 3:39.55; Diving: 1. Hayden Ferenc (FTL) 284.80; 2. Sophia Cavaretta (FTL) 358.05; 3. Ginger Boardman (FTL) 216.00.

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.