Blanche Ely earns fifth title in seven seasons
LAKELAND — Melvin Randall said this one is even sweeter than when he went undefeated in 2015.
There was adversity this time around, dealing with a number of setbacks early in the season — namely an 18-point loss to University School.
“We took a couple of beatings along the way, which is OK, but growth came in and helped us to get to where we are now,” the Blanche Ely coach said after winning his state-best eighth title.
The Tigers won their fifth championship in seven seasons as Ely romped past Jacksonville Creekside 77-54 in the Class 8A final on Saturday in front of raucous Pompano Beach faithful at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center.
The Tigers (24-8) tie Dillard with a Broward County-best seven titles. Randall reclaims sole possession of the state record after the Panthers’ Darryl Burrows tied him last season. Randall, who is 16-1 in the state final four and 8-0 in championship games, now has six at Ely while winning it all twice with Deerfield Beach.
“We play for Mr. Randall, and I do what I have to do to win,” said junior forward Joshua Scott, who led the Tigers with 26 points like he did in the semifinal.
Added senior guard Michael Forrest, who had 21: “With all the things he does for us, this the only way we can give back to him – just winning the state championship for him.”
Before missing out on states last year, Ely had won four in five seasons with 2014 the only year without a ring. The Tigers also won in 2007 and 1993.
Following a hot start from Creekside, Ely dominated the rest of the first half. The Knights (27-5) started the final up 11-3 but the Tigers quickly responded with a 9-0 run. The Tigers led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.
That rally continued through much of the second quarter as Ely swarmed defensively like they’ve done for numerous extended periods, forcing 14 first-half turnovers. The Tigers outscored the Knights 33-8 over a long first-half stretch.
Forrest connected on a fourpoint play in the second quarter and was fouled on another 3-pointer late in the first, making all his free throws. Scott made four consecutive free throws in the middle of the run, getting fouled and then shooting two more because Creekside coach Will Mayer was charged with a technical foul for throwing his jacket against a chair on the bench over the call.
Anthony Byrd, who finished with 12, threw down a hard slam dunk early in the second half, and the rout was on. Senior forward Wilkenson Isnord had two thunderous jams in the fourth quarter.
Ely’s title gave Broward County three on the season, matching its total from each of the previous two years, after Westminster Academy and University School won in 4A and 5A, respectively, on Thursday.
Between Broward and MiamiDade, five of the nine FHSAA championships were won — Miami Christian won in 2A and Doral Academy in 7A. Wellington can add to that South Florida tricounty total as Palm Beach County’s lone state representative should it win the 9A crown, which tips off at 7 p.m. Saturday.
dfurones@sunsentinel.com, @DavidFurones_