Coral Gables, Sunset in limbo due to protocol

The Miami Sunset boys were supposed to host Edison and Coral Gables was to play Palmetto. COVID-19 protocol may prematurely end their season.

Barring some late change, Sunset’s boys’ basketball season is over, and it did not end on the court.

The Knights, who beat LaSalle on Feb. 12 to win just the second district title in school history and their first such crown since 2015, were supposed to host the Edison Red Raiders in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal game on Thursday night.

However, that game was canceled because of COVID-19 protocol/contact tracing.

Coral Gables is in a situation similar to Sunset.

The Cavaliers defeated Columbus on Feb. 12. One day after the game, a Columbus coach had a positive test, according to Gables assistant coach Marcos Molina. On Wednesday, a Columbus player or players tested positive, Molina said.

Even so, Columbus’ regional quarterfinal game at Ferguson, which had been scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed back to Saturday.

The FHSAA official website lists Gables-Palmetto as set to play Saturday night.

However, Molina said the “health department told our principal that our game is off. We can’t even practice. We are appealing.”

Columbus coach Andrew Moran declined comment as to why his team was allowed to play, referring questions to principal David Pugh. Voice mails left with Pugh’s office were not returned by press time.

Meanwhile, the school district has requested approval for a delay of the games. Daisy GonzalezDiego, the Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, released a statement Friday afternoon: