Boca Raton, Oxbridge aiming for titles as play opens

Fourteen girls basketball teams across Palm Beach County will begin their quests for state titles on Thursday as the FHSAA regional playoffs tip off.

Leading the way is Boca Raton, who will try to avenge last year’s heartbreaking double-overtime loss in the state championship to Vero Beach. The Bobcats, who have made it to Lakeland in back-to-back seasons, are still searching for their first state title.

Once again, Boca Raton is led by its one-two punch of Harvard signee Rachel Levy and Grace Marko (Boston College). Levy, the Sun Sentinel’s reigning Player of the Year, is averaging 14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Marko is putting up 13 points a game. The Bobcats have also gotten big contributions from sophomore guard Audrey Ramsay, who’s averaging 9.3 points.

Boca Raton beefed up its non-district schedule this season with tough out-ofstate opponents like St. Frances Academy (Md.) and Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.), which should pay off in the postseason.

After capturing a state championship in 2015, Palm Beach Lakes is gearing up for another potential title run.

Led by Cassandra Rahming, who in her 19th year of coaching at Lakes earned her 400th win in January, the Rams put together an impressive regular season as they prep for St. Thomas Aquinas in the regional quarterfinals. Sophomore guard Ra’Shara Simmons, who scored 33 points in the team’s district final win, has been one of the Rams’ most dynamic scorers.

In Class 5A, Oxbridge Academy looks like a legitimate state title contender after a dominant season under second-year coach Tracy Wolfe. The ThunderWolves dethroned reigning district champ Cardinal Newman, beating the Crusaders in all three meetings this season. Sophomore guards Aaliyah Stanley (16 ppg) and Alexa Zaph (14.5 ppg) have combined to form one of the area’s most explosive backcourts. Six-foot sophomore forward Kaylon Smith has given the team a strong presence on the inside, averaging 7.6 ppg and 8.1 rpg.

The ThunderWolves will likely have to beat Cardinal Newman a fourth time as the teams could square off the regional semifinals. While Oxbridge has had the Crusaders’ number this season, Newman senior guard Milan Morris is completely capable of taking over a game. The Boston College signee is averaging 22 points and 12.3 rebounds, and is also one of the county’s top 3-point shooters.

Winners of four state championships, Benjamin is hoping to return to Lakeland for the first time since 2004, when they hoisted the trophy. Junior forward Da’Mya Preston, who eclipsed 1,000 career points earlier this season, is averaging 16.1 points and 7.4 boards. Junior guard Anise Williams (15.3 ppg) gives the team another dynamic scoring weapon.

After reaching the Class 2A state semifinals last season, Grandview Prep is looking to punch its ticket to Lakeland for the sixth consecutive season. While star guard Kristen Rampersad led the Pride last season as a senior, her younger sister Megan has picked up the mantle as the team’s top scorer this season. The junior averaging 18.2 ppg this season and is coming off a 30-point outburst in the team’s district final win over Sheridan Hills.

Grandview Prep, which took home the Class 2A state title in 2014, is shooting for its second overall championship.