While the name Brandon will always be associated with championship wrestling in the state of Florida for over five decades of dominance, the past two decades have belonged to South Dade.
Under the direction of head coach Vic Balmeceda and his assistants Humberto “Duck” Reyna and Markel Shropshire, this program continues to reload and win at an amazing rate.
On Friday and Saturday, the program competed in the state dual championships, and when Saturday evening rolled around at Osceola High School in Kissimmee, the Bucs had won their sixth dual meet crown and 26th overall. That total includes 20 IBT (individual) titles, heading into this year.
Their convincing win against Wellington was just another accomplishment for this program that continues to build solid youth programs and get them ready for a career in high school and the collegiate level.
Here is a look at some of the 2024-25 athletes who are paving the way:
106 – Prince Perry, Sr. 7-9
106 – Jose Callava, Fr., 23-5 #2
113 – Bryan Morales, Jr., 20-4, #2, State Champ (2024)
120 – Kaleb Williams, Jr., 28-7, #3, 3rd State, 2024
126 – Guillermo Jaramilo, Jr., 22-3, #3, 3rd State, 2024
126 – Cameron Haines, Fr., 25-8. #10
132 – Nathaniel Williams, Sr., 28-8, #3, State Runner Up, 2024
138 – Jovani Solis, Fr., 33-1, #1, 2 Time State Champion, 2023 & 2024
138 – Jordan Fearon, Jr., 5-2
144 – Elvis Solis, Sr., 28-0, #1, 2 Time State Champion, 2023 & 2024
150 – Armand Williams, So. 29-7, #4, 5th State, 2024
157 – Tyree Graham, , Jr., 30-4, #2, State Runner Up, 2024
165 – Willie White, Sr., 37-0, #1, 3rd State, 2024
165 – Jonathan Moreno, So., 16-3, #3, 5th State, 2024
175 – Matthew Abreu, Sr., 10-6
190 – Brandon Valdes, Fr., 11-5
215 – Jamie Freeney, Jr., 21-8, #6
285 – Daguy Massillon, Sr., 29-9, #5, State Qualifier
The Bucs opened the tournament with a convincing 66-3 win against Parkland Douglas. In the semifinals with Lakeland George Jenkins, they dominated again – setting up the finals against Wellington.
MATER LAKES WINS FIRST TITLE
They have been building toward winning a state title for several years, and this weekend, head coach Brandon Neifeld and his Hialeah Mater Lakes Academy program captured the 1A team title.
The Bears dominated the two-day competition with an impressive win against Naples St. John Neumann.
The victory will set the tone for the IBT individual championships next month at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
With assistants J.D. Ramsey, Mitch Li and Alex Noa leading the way this is now a program that is considered as one of Florida’s elites.
Here is a look at some of the talent that this team has boasted this season:
106 – Ron Stephens, 8th
106 – Ty O’Dell, Sr., #15
113 – Kellen Mesina, Jr., #1
120 – Keegan Mesina. Fr., #1
126 – Ethan Tran, So., #3
132 – Christopher Greene, So., #3
138 – Anthony O’Dell, Sr., #3
144 – Bruce Li, Fr., #4
150 – Mason O’Dell, Fr., #3
157 – Kenny Alvarado, Sr., #3
165 – Kalias Nazario, Jr., #3
175 – Richard Lugo, Jr.
190 – Darian Vargas, Jr., #20
215 – Damian Soto, Sr., #2
285 – Emiliano Solache, Sr., #10
In the opening round match against Key West, the Bears rolled to a 61-6 decision. That state semifinal contest against Merritt Island was indeed competitive, but they pulled away.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
CORAL SPRINGS – For the first half of basketball, Coral Springs performed as well as could be expected against a tough Pompano Beach Blanche Ely side.
Down by nine at the break, the Tigers were victims of the Colts’ seven 3-pointers, while searching for answers to alter the momentum.
The combination of Kaleb Corbitt and Justin Snell’s 22 second half points and Ely’s stubborn defense, the Tigers rallied for a 76-68 victory in a non-district game on Tuesday.
“We didn’t turn the ball over and let Springs get out in transition,” said Ely coach Henry McNabb, about the second half comeback. “Coach Barta does a tremendous job preparing his guys. We mishandled their ball pressure and just needed to take care of the basketball.”
Ely diminished the Coral Springs lead tying the score at 48-48 on a 3-pointer by Jaden McNabb. The teams went into the final quarter with the score tied at 54-54.
Corbitt and Snell combined for 16 of the Tigers 22 points in the final quarter.
The comeback was keyed by the Colts’ inability to convert on all 3-point attempts in the second half.
“We didn’t make any outside shots, and they made a very good adjustment at halftime,” said Coral Springs coach Devin Barta. “They went into a half-court trap and though we had some looks we didn’t the shots.
Corbitt finished with a team-high 22 points with 14 from Jaylon McNabb and 13 from Jaden McNabb.
Alex Pierre-Louis led Coral Springs with 23, 16 coming in the first half when the Colts (12-7) built a nine-point lead at the break.
Josh Pierre added 15 points, while Tavien Nielie and Janai Henry each finished with 10 points.
The Tigers (11-8) victory was a solid tune-up for the BCAA Big 8 Tournament next week at Fort Lauderdale High.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
NORTH LAUDERDALE – The Cardinal Gibbons boys basketball team looks to be shaping up toward another playoff run.
Saturday at the I Have a Dream MLK Challenge at Somerset Prep, the Chiefs used a 20-11 fourth quarter run to defeat Miami Country Day 71-61 on Monday at Somerset Prep.
“Country Day shoots the ball really well,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Bill Mallon. “They made some threes, and we stayed with it and made a run to get back into the game.
We had a real hard practice the other day and I think today we showed up. I’m happy right now.”
Coach Mallon typically uses six players in rotation and said on any given night they are capable of scoring 20 points.
On Monday, Justus Dylan-Herbert scored a team high 17 points, while A.J. Ambrose and Evan Wyche each contributed 15 points to lead the Chiefs.
M.J. Perrier added 13 points and Tao Schreiber finished with 12 points.
Chaim Galbut led the Spartans (15-4) with 17 points. Fernando Romero added 14 points.
NORTH BROWARD PREP 66, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 64: Max Gressle made a pair of free throws with three seconds left in regulation as the Eagles snapped the Raiders 15-game winning streak.
The Eagles victory was the second straight over Aquinas, winning last year’s meeting 55-51.
Ryan Baxley led North Broward (10-11) with 15 points. Jayden Smith added 13 points, while Luigi Borio and San Cano each had 12 points.
Dwayne Wimbley Jr. scored 13 of his team-high 18 points in the first quarter for Aquinas (16-2). Clarence Westbrook Jr. and Kellson Sandi each finished with 15 points.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA 66, THE ROCK 55: Jasen Lopez scored 21 of his game-high 28 points in the second half to lead Chaminade (15-4).
Isaac Mothersill added 16 points and Giuliani Blaise had 15 points.
Evan Sterck had 15 points and Isaac Jacobs 12 points for The Rock (15-6).
TAMPA NORTH PREP 54, MIRAMAR 42: Toni Bryant, a 6-9 junior power forward, had a game-high 22 points to lead the Titans (16-6).
Caleb Sanders added 12 points, 10 coming in the first half.
The Patriots (14-7) were led by Martel Smith with 14 points and Siah Blot with 13 points.
SOUTH PLANTATION 65, TARAVELLA 56: Lathan Coleman scored a team-high 20 points and Travis Chin scored 17 points to lead the Paladins (16-6).
The Trojans (9-9) were led by Nick Florea, who had five 3-pointers for a game-high 27 points.
Santana Henderson added 10 points.
MIAMI TRU NORTH 73, PLANTATION 64: The Titans (11-10) were led by Lloyd Swan with a game-high 25 points. Ryan Rodriguez finished with 16 points, while Quincy Douby added 14 points.
Jabari Washington and Sahmaj Alcime each had 21 points for the Colonels (7-11).
CYPRESS BAY 61, CORAL GABLES 53: Lucas Almonte led the Lightning (12-8) with a team-high 19 points. Christian Leone added 10 points.
The Cavaliers (8-10) were led by Gael Chueng with 13 points and Marco Molinet with 10 points.
FORT PIERCE CENTRAL 64, SOMERSET ACADEMY 56: Joseph Gayle led the Cobras (11-7) with a game-high 22 points. Christian Maxon added 19 points in the win.
Christian Smith scored 19 points on the Panthers (12-9) loss. Jahlon Blain added 11 points.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
DEERFIELD BEACH – In the second season under coach Teddy Lyons, the Chaminade-Madonna boys basketball team has made significant strides in competing with some of the best teams in South Florida.
Competing in the I Have a Dream MLK Challenge on Friday at Somerset Key Academy, the Lions put on a display of toughness in a 63-53 victory over South Plantation.
After nearly letting a half-time lead slip away to the Paladins in the third quarter, the Lions defense took control, outscoring their opponent by eight to earn a 63-53 victory.
The win improved the Lions to 14-3, already three victories better than last season with two weeks remaining before district play that begins on Feb. 3.
“We’ve been doing a great job closing late,” said Lyons. “There guys are showing a great mental toughness. When we get in situations where the game is turning on us, these guys have been able to make plays on both ends of the floor.”
Junior guard Jasen Lopez and senior guard Isaac Mothersill each scored 25 to lead the Lions. They also combined to score all 19 of the Lions points in the fourth quarter.
“This year to last is a massive improvement,” said Lyons. “Guys like Lopez and Mothersill are special on both ends of the floor. They complement each other and look like they’ve been playing together for years.”
Junior guard Travis Chin led the Paladins (14-6) with 20 points.
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By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
PARKLAND – The Douglas High girls soccer team’s biggest nemesis during the 2023-25 season has been scoring goals against many of the top teams they’ve faced.
The Eagles had fought through the regular season managing six ties that nearly matched their seven wins.
Thursday, they had one last attempt in a regular season finale against unbeaten St. Thomas Aquinas last Thursday.
With the score all even at 1-1 in the 66th minute, junior forward Breanna Gordon took advantage of open space scoring her fifth goal of the season giving the Eagles a 2-1 victory heading into district play.
“The goal was very special going into this game knowing that we were playing a hard opponent,” said Gordon. “We locked into the game and stay focused, so that last goals became very important.”
“It was nice to get a win,” said Douglas coach Laura Rountree. “We have struggled a little bit scoring goals and this was big for our confidence with scoring a late goal like that.”
The Eagles (8-1-6) took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when junior Alexa Jourdan successfully converted on a penalty kick.
With both sides playing solid defense, it took another penalty kick opportunity, this time by Aquinas to even the score.
Sophia Barnes evened the score at 1-1 on the PK in the 35th minute.
The chances were minimal on both sides, as each team’s keeper did their job when called upon.
“This loss was a humbling experience,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Bryan Hantak. “Maybe we should have worked harder. Douglas played well with high pressure, and we made a couple of mistakes that we paid for.”
Douglas (8-1-6) will take that pitch again when they face the Coral Glades/Western winner in a District 14-7A semifinal at Spanish River High on Jan. 24.
Aquinas (10-1-3) will host the District 15-6A Tournament. They will play the South Broward/South Plantation winner in a semifinal game on Jan. 27.
PHOTO CAPTION: Douglas senior Breanna Gordon (No. 22) scored the game winning goal to earn a 2-1 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas in a girls soccer match.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
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