By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
CORAL SPRINGS – The Stranahan and St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball teams each were position to win championships at the 35th annual Kreul Classic.
The two Fort Lauderdale schools, both who’ve started the 2024-25 season very well, took different paths to achieve title hopes.
Stranahan had to lean on a needed rally to prevail past Thomas Jefferson of Brooklyn, NY.
Down 59-54 with 4:55 to play in regulation, the Dragons ended the game with a 12-0 run to win the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Bracket with a 66-59 decision.
Stranahan’s championship was the first at the Kreul since 2018.
“We’re young and still growing,” said Stranahan coach Edward Schuler. “Down the stretch we just played good defense and shared the basketball. When we got down, we told the guys there was plenty of time left and we finished.”
The Dragons (10-4) were outscored 41-28 in the middle two quarters but reversed that with a 17-7 advantage in the final quarter.
Christian Yeargin scored 17 points and Isaiah Brown added 16 points.
RAIDERS WIN BSN SPORTS TITLE
St. Thomas Aquinas, at the other end, led 34-21 over North Mecklenburg (NC) at the half and saw their advantage shrink to four points with just over minute to play in regulation.
The Raiders (8-1) stymied the Vikings idea of a comeback, winning the BSN Sports championship 60-51.
“We expected this to be hard playing against a very good team,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Julius Sandi. “We knew what the task was. We use every game as a steppingstone for our goal toward a championship. We’re just trying to get better.”
Clarence Westbrook Jr. had 11 points to lead the Raiders. Drake Sandi (Tournament MVP), Kellson Sandi and Nate Accius each had 10 points.
JDCH Bracket
STRANAHAN 66, THOMAS JEFFERSON (NY) 59
S (10-4): Yeargin 6-3-17, Foster 4-3-11, Simeon 2-3-7, Martin 3-1-8, Brown 7-2-16, Nealy 3-0-7.
TJ (7-1): Swann 8-6-22, Lewis 0-3-3, Wilson 1-2-5, Spratley 9-1-19, Morris 2-2-7, Tudor 1-0-2, Michel 0-1-1.
3-Pointers: Yeargin 2, Martin, Nealy, Wilson, Morris. Half: STR 34-32.
WESTERN 72, LEXINGTON CATHOLIC (KY) 50: Jamari Bolden, a 6-0 junior guard scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Wildcats and finish third in the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Bracket.
Javion Lewis added 17 points and Alex Vardakis 13 points.
W (7-2): Lewis 6-5-17, Bolden 7-4-22, S. Frisby 3-0-6, Thompson 1-0-2, L. Frisby 3-1-8, Vardakis 6-0-13, Santiago 1-0-3, Fowles 0-1-1.
LC (3-3): Gambrell 1-3-5, Witajewski 1-0-3, Aaron 0-1-1, Wheeler 1-0-3, Stuart 1-0-3, Meagher 1-2-4, Pflugner 6-0-12, Woodall 9-1-19.
3-Pointers: Bolden 4, L. Frisby, Vardakis, Santiago, Witajewski, Wheeler, Stuart. Half: W 32-27.
MIAMI NORTHWESTERN 89, KELL (GA) 55: Jamiro Smith scored 21 points and Class of 2026 national football recruit Calvin Russell added 19 points to lead the Bulls (9-1) to consecutive games over 88 points.
Zack Dawson added 15 points.
Connor Staphylaris scored a team-high 16 points for the Longhorns (10-3).
MNW (9-1): Smith 6-7-21, Russel 9-0-19, Dawson 5-4-15, McKenney 1-0-2, Baker 2-0-6, Carter 3-1-8, Naverrete 2-0-6, Desire 4-2-10, Williams 1-0-2.
K (10-3): Graham 1-2-4, Staphylaris 6-1-16, Jones 1-2-4, Graves 3-7-13, Lee 3-1-8, Rouse 4-0-8.
3-Pointers: Smith 2, Russel, Dawson, Baker 2, Carter, Naverrete 2, Staphylaris 3, Lee. Half: MN 41-27
DWYER 89, HARVEST PREP (OH) 84: Junior guard Tamari Reed scored a game-high 33 points including seven 3-pointers to lead the Panthers (7-4) to the victory.
The combined 173 points between the two schools was also the largest total of this year’s Kreul Classic.
Jordan Quince added 22 points and Jermani Shuler 12 points.
As for the Warriors (3-4), they were led by Antwan Pollard with 26 points. Jamarcus Jones added 20 points.
D (7-4): Quince 10-2-22, Shuler 4-4-12, Koronas 1-0-2, Reed 10-3-33, Brown 2-0-4, Lawrence 3-2-8.
HP (3-4): Wharton 3-0-7, Jones 9-0-20, Sims 1-0-2, Daniels 5-0-12, Roddy 7-2-17, Pollard 7-4-26, Jackson 1-0-2.
3-Pointers: Reed 7, Wharton, Jones 2, Sims, Daniels, Roddy, Pollard 6. Half: DWY 49-47.
BSN SPORTS CHALLENGE
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 60, NORTH MECKLENBURG (NC) 51
STA (8-1): Wimberly 2-3-8, Elliott 2-4-8, DJ Sandi 3-4-10, KJ Sandi 4-0-10, Westbrook 5-1-11, Knights 1-0-3, Accius 4-2-10.
NM (8-2): Traylor 6-2-17, Evans 2-1-5, Williams 1-0-2, Pierce 5-6-19, Young 1-2-4, Estwich 2-0-4.
3-Pointers: Wimberly, KJ Sandi, Knights, Traylor 3, Pierce 3. Half: STA 34-21.
ST FRANCIS PREP (NY) 66, PINES CHARTER 62: Senior guard Vere Anthony had a game-high 30 points to lead the Terriers (5-1) to a third-place finish of the BSN Sports Challenge.
Allen Watson and Hoo Chin combined for 25 points.
Maximo Ortega and Zemari Days each scored 18 for the Jaguars (6-4).
SFP (5-1): Desena 1-0-3, Anthony 11-6-30, Chen 3-3-12, Huggins 3-1-8, Watson 5-2-13.
PPC (6-4): Ortega 6-5-18, Trenchfield 3-0-6, Hughes 3-2-11, Days 7-1-18, Guishard 4-1-9.
3-Pointers: Desena, Anthony 2, Chen 3, Huggins, Watson, Ortega, Hughes 3, Days 3. Half: Tied 31-31.
NOTRE DAME PREP (CT) 65, GRAY COLLEGIATE (SC) 37: After dropping 21 points in a loss on Friday, senior guard Kamryn Salters followed that with 32 points in a victory to lead the Lancers (1-2).
The War Eagles (2-6) were led by junior forward Levi Ball with 22 points.
NDP (1-2): Dunlap 1-0-2, Greaves 4-1-12, White 0-3-3, Coleman 0-1-1, Charlet 3-0-6, Blake 2-0-5, Reed 1-0-2, Salters 11-4-32, Bostick 1-0-2.
GC (2-6): McDuffie 2-0-4, Arthur 1-0-2, Rowe 1-0-2, Hamlet 1-0-2, Richburg 0-2-2, Petroff 0-1-1, Ball 10-1-22, Tyler 1-0-2.
3-Pointers: Greaves 3, Blake, Salters 6, Ball. Half: NDP 24-16.
WAXAHATCHIE (TX) 66, PACE ACADEMY (GA) 62: Junior guard Michel Gatewood scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Indians (9-6) to the victory. Trae Nunn added 19 points.
Chandler Bing scored 25 and Eric Chatfield 18 in the loss for the Knights (11-2).
W (9-6): Williams 3-0-6, Brown 3-3-11, Gatewood 6-11-26, Nunn 7-1-19, Harbert 1-2-4.
PA (11-2): Chatfield 6-2-18, Bing 10-3-25, Ferry 3-0-5, Avery 1-0-3, Dickert 1-0-2, Clark 0-1-1, Clay 3-0-6, Fountain 1-0-2
3-Pointers: Brown 2, Gatewood 3, Nunn 3, Chatfield 4, Bing 2, Ferry, Avery. Half: PA 37-31.
GATORADE SERIES (Girls)
AMERICAN HERITAGE 48, SACRED HEART (KY) 47: Junior guard Jasleen Green led all scorers with 21 points to pace the Patriots (7-4). Ta’Niyah Davis added 13 points.
Gabby DeCamillis was solid for the Valkyries (6-2) with a team-high 20 points. Morgan Frey added 13 points.
AH (7-4): Davis 4-12-13, Clark 1-1-3, Aloisio 1-1-3, McGill 4-0-8, Green 6-6-21.
SH (6-2): Jordan 2-3-6, Smith 1-0-2, Johnson 8-3-20, Wilkins 1-2-4, Osting 1-0-2, Frey 5-3-13.
3-Pointers: Johnson, Green 3, Davis 3. Half: AH 21-19.
KELL (GA) 51, ST THOMAS AQUINAS 46: The Longhorns (9-4) used a late rally to come from behind to defeat the Raiders.
Asiah Thompson scored 11, while Sydney Moss and Kennedy Deese scored nine apiece in the win.
Ronneisha Thomas and London Thomas each scored 15 to lead the Raiders (6-5).
K (9-4): Thompson 5-1-11, Green 3-2-8, Sellers 0-1-1, Gilbert 0-1-1, Moss 3-3-9, Watson 2-2-7, Johnson 3-0-6, Deese 3-3-9
STA (6-5): R. Thomas 5-2-15, Cardoza 0-1-1, L. Thomas 2-10-15, Gilbert 3-0-6, Mori 2-0-6, Blair 0-3-3.
3-Pointers: Watson, R Thomas 3, L Thomas, Mori. Half: K 28-27.
PAUL VI (VA) 63, MIAMI COUNTRY DAY 53: Demi Gilliam scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Panthers (7-1) to the victory.
Freshman guard Arianna Robinson led the Spartans (6-4) with 16 points.
PVI (7-1): T. Williams 2-4-8, L. Williams 2-2-7, Gilliam 10-4-24, Hamburger 1-7-9, Ramey 3-1-8, Abraham 3-1-7.
MCD (6-4): Robinson 7-1-16, Edge 1-3-5, Ellis 2-0-6, Luis 2-3-7, Belton 1-0-2, Deal 3-2-8, Hill 3-0-9.
3-Pointers: L Williams, Ramey, Robinson, Ellis 2, Hill 3. Half: PVI 31-30.
DORAL ACADEMY 65, TAMPA CATHOLIC 49: Victoria Valle led four players in double figures with a game-high 21 points for the Firebirds (10-2).
Ashley Martinez added 17 points. Valle and Martinez also combined for 10 3-pointers.
Khalia Woodley led the Crusaders with 18 points. Ashley Knox added 15 points.
DA (10-2): Valle 6-4-21, Myers 5-1-11, Yost 1-0-2, Martinez 6-0-17, Vega 6-2-14.
TC (7-4): Green 0-1-1, Butsky 1-0-2, Grimsley 3-0-7, Knox 7-0-15, Boone 2-0-4, Woodley 6-0-18, Arthur 1-0-2.
3-Pointers: Valle 5, Martinez 5, Grimsley, Knox, Woodley 6. Half: DA 33-24.
GRANDVIEW PREP 63, LAKE HIGHLAND PREP 56: Senior guard Lena Girardi scored 35 points to lead the Pride (9-3) to an impressive victory. Her 35 points was also the most by a female player at the Kreul this year.
Myanna Hatchette led the Highlanders (7-4) with 21 points.
GVP (9-3): Girardi 13-5-35, Greyvensteyn 3-0-8, Price 3-0-8, Burns 2-0-4, Crooks 4-0-8.
LHP (7-4): Rivera 1-1-3, V. Munoz 5-0-15, Liptrot 3-1-7, Hatchette 7-2-21, Griffin 4-0-10.
3-Pointers: Girardi 4, Greyvensteyn 2, Price 2, V. Munoz 3, Hatchette 5, Griffin 2. Half: LHP 34-32.
RIVER RIDGE (GA) 64, DR. PHILLIPS 45: Finley Parker, a 6-3, sophomore forward, scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Knights (11-1).
Sophia Pearl and Kayla Cleveland each had 10 points.
Kendall Perry led the Panthers (5-6) with 14 points, while Jamila Ray added 12 points.
RR (11-1): Pearl 2-6-10, Cantey 3-0-6, Roberson 3-1-9, Parker 10-4-27, Cleveland 4-1-10, Tchambe 0-2-2.
DP (5-6): Perry 6-2-14, Monroe 2-0-4, Ray 5-2-12, Johnson 1-0-2, Orphelia 2-2-6, Blount 0-1-1, Horne 1-4-6.
3-Pointers: Roberson 2, Parker 3, Cleaveland. Half: RR 33-22.
HOLY INNOCENTS (Ga.) 54, NOVA 48: Senior guard Hailee Swain scored a team-high 23 points as the Golden Bears (8-2) rallied from a 10-point half time deficit for the victory.
Nakhai Worthy added 11 points and Elana McMasters 10 points.
Junior guard Jaelynn Housey scored 23 points for the Titans (8-2).
HI (8-2): Swain 7-9-23, Gluesing 1-0-2, McMasters 4-1-10, Makayla Weaver 2-0-4, Worthy 4-2-11, Murray 2-0-4.
N (7-3): Evans 4-5-13, Housey 9-4-23, Exum 1-0-2, Thompson 1-0-2, Paul 1-0-2, Tyrell 3-0-6.
3-Pointers: McMasters, Worthy, Housey. Half: N 28-18.
GALLOWAY (GA) 61, PROVIDENCE (FL) 39: The Scots (6-4) outscored their opponent 38-17 in the first and third quarters to earn the victory.
They were led by junior guard Taryn Thompson with 18 points.
Senior guard Janie Boyd scored 12 points for the Stallions (8-2).
G (6-4): Collins 4-1-10, P. Diaz-Williamson 2-0-5, Thompson 6-5-18, Abdur-Rahim 3-3-9, Knott 1-0-3, Louis-Pierre 5-0-10, Stokes 3-0-6.
P (8-2): Jordan 1-1-4, Vogelson 1-0-2, Boyd 5-2-12, Loux 2-2-7, Davey 3-1-8, Baskin 3-0-6.
3-Pointers: Collins, P. Diaz Williamson, Thompson, Knott, Jordan, Loux, Davey. Half: GALL 30-20.
PHOTO CAPTION: St. Thomas Aquinas coach Julius Sandi (center) talks to his team during a second half time out.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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