By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE – Stranahan, got a pair of strong second half scoring performances from Damari Foster and Isiah Brown to lead the Dragons to a 62-56 victory over Cardinal Gibbons in a quarterfinal game of the BCAA Big 8 Boys Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Fort Lauderdale High.

Brown, a 6-9 junior center, had five slam dunks for a game-high 21 points to lead the Dragons.

Foster had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, while David Neely also had 14 points.

Stranahan (18-6) advances to a semifinal game on Friday against the Western/Chaminade-Madonna winner at 5:30 p.m. The Dragons are still seeking their first Big 8 title, losing in the finals in 2018 and 2020.

“We had to change up the defense a little bit in the second half,” said Stranahan coach Edward Shuler. “We change to man coverage to put more pressure on Gibbons.

Brown is fully healthy now. He’s playing at a high level now to help us get where we need to get and that’s Lakeland.”

Down by three at the half, Stranahan held the Chiefs to six points in the third quarter to take a 39-35 lead heading into the final frame.

Gibbons (20-4) never led again.

“Our main focus coming out after the half was defense,” said Brown. “We focused first on defense and that helped us move the ball on offense. We just locked in.”

Senior guard Tao Schrieber scored a team-high 20 points to lead Gibbons. Evan Wyche added 11 points, while Justus Dylan-Herbert had 10 points.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 54, BLANCHE ELY 51 (OT): In the second overtime meeting between the two schools in just over two weeks the Raiders prevailed again.

This time senior forward Dwayne Wimbley scored a game-high 17 to help Aquinas to the three-point win.

The Raiders (21-2) advance to a semifinal game against the Coral Glades/Pembroke Pines Charter win on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

A Wimbley dunk with 1:25 left in the overtime period gave the Raiders a 53-51 lead and an added free throw by Drake Sandi (11 points) with 52.4 seconds left determined the final margin.

The Tigers (13-9) were led by senior forward Jayelen Jonas with 18 points, that included several dunks. Dylon Hanna added 15 points.

PHOTO CAPTION: AJ Ambrose (left) of Cardinal Gibbons is defended by Pradd Maurice (right) of Stranahan in a first round game of the BCAA Boys Big 8 Tournament on Wednesday. 

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