South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
North Broward Prep hangs on to beat Sagemont, stays undefeated
WESTON — When North Broward Prep senior Michael Kalina drained two free throws to extend the Eagles’ late fourth-quarter lead to six, Sagemont’s chances for an upset win looked doomed.
But a quick three-pointer by Ryan Eddy put the Lions back within three points with about nine seconds left in the left quarter. Sagemont got a turnover in the final moments, and North Broward Prep fouled sophomore Dominic Issa while he was taking a three with half a second on the clock.
Issa hit the first two free throws but not the game-tying third, and North Broward Prep hung onto a 64-63 in over the Lions in Weston on Friday to move to 14-0 on the season.
“We’re 14-0 now,” Kalina said. “First real, big test. The gym is small but it’s packed. The fans are crazy . ... I love this team. We’re all brothers. 14-0 is a cray season. Needed that win; our confidence is through the roof.”
North Broward Prep took an early lead in the first quarter, but Sagemont battled to keep it throughout the game. The Eagles briefly held a nine-point lead early in the third quarter but never stretched it to double digits. Sophomore Bryan Segura led the Lions with 21 points, and junior Ashton Smith added 14 points.
“We’re on the road in this gym; they gave a great environment,” North Broward Prep coach Casey Wohlleb said. “Just the experience alone, these games are the games that prepare you later on down the road. For our guys to find a way to win is incredible.”
Kalina led the Eagles with 22 points and had six rebounds. . Senior wing Adren Roberts had 15 points (and six rebounds), while senior guard Maximus Fuentes added 13 points. Senior Appalachian State signee Justin Abson had 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks in the win.
“He does not want to lose,” Wohlleb said of Kalina. “He refuses to lose. He’s making the right plays, and his competitiveness is off the charts.”
The Eagles, who fell to eventual Class 4A state champions Pine Crest in the playoffs last year are hoping to keep their winning streak going straight through to the playoffs.
“We know nobody can stop us if we play our game,” Kalina said. “We just trust each other and it turns into W’s.”