3 Broward mentors earn statewide coaching honors in their respective classes

Three Broward County boys basketball coaches came back from Lakeland with state championship trophies, and the same three were voted Florida Dairy Farmers coaches of the year in their respective classes.

Pembroke Pines Charter’s Dave Roca was named Class 5A Coach of the Year, Pine Crest’s Ike Smith was named Class 4A Coach of the Year and Calvary Christian’s Cilk McSweeney was named Class 3A Coach of the Year.

All three are finalists for Florida Dairy Farmers’ Coach of the Year, which covers all seven classifications.

Roca led Pines Charter to its first state title this season following a state runner-up finish in 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Roca took a step back from some of his typical coaching duties but retained his title as the team’s head coach. The Jaguars went 13-3 en route to the state title, and Roca has a career record of 189-88 in 12 seasons at Pines Charter.

Smith, in his first season as the Panthers’ coach, also led his team to a title. Pine Crest went 21-1 during the regular season and came back from a last-minute, eight-point deficit in overtime to win the Class 4A championship.

McSweeney took a roster that included some of the most talented players in South Florida and won the Class 3A championship. Playing a regular-season schedule that included some of the best teams in the nation, the Eagles went 17-7. McSweeney is 125-84 in eight seasons at Calvary.

Other local players and coaches finished high in the voting for state awards.

St. Andrew’s Joshua Minott finished second in the voting for Class 3A Player of the Year.

Dwyer’s Fred Ross was second in the Class 7A coach of the year voting, and Grandview Prep’s Joe Dawson finished third in the voting in Class 2A.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/SUN SENTINEL Calvary Christian coach Cilk McSweeney instructs his team against St. Andrews during the second half of their regional semifinal game Feb. 23.