Ely tops McArthur to punch return ticket to state semis

POMPANO BEACH — “Pack your bags” was the chant on Blanche Ely’s bench.

The Tigers blew open a six-point contest in the second quarter, outscoring McArthur, 28-11, in the period, en route to an 89-64 victory Friday night in an FHSAA Class 8A regional final.

The win sends Blanche Ely and veteran coach Melvin Randall back to the Boys State Basketball Tournament in Lakeland. Randall has won seven state championships in his career — five at Ely and two at Deerfield Beach. The last one came in 2016.

Ely (22-8) will face St. Petersburg — a 52-42 victor over Riverdale on Friday — in the 8A state semifinals March 9 in Lakeland.

“It feels great,” Randall said. “We worked hard. The kids deserve it because there were times when we were in here Saturday mornings and the other kids are probably sleeping over and watching cartoons. We’re in here working.”

McArthur was within, 12-10, early and trailed just, 19-13, after one quarter. But Ely’s patented pressure defense took a toll in the second quarter.

The Tigers ballooned the lead from, 30-19, to, 38-19, in one span on a 3-pointer from senior guard Michael Forrest, another 3 from Anthony Byrd and a Forrest steal and Calvin McCutcheon layup capped the run. Ely would lead 47-24 by halftime.

Byrd, a senior guard, led Ely with 23 points. Junior Joshua Scott finished with 17 points, while Forrest and Kenny Isnord each had 13. All of Forrest’s points came in the first half.

“My first time ever,” Byrd said of playing in the state tournament. “I go every year but I’m always in the stands. This year I’ll be on the floor.

Jacob Naravez led McArthur with 18 points. McArthur finishes 15-14.

“Handling Ely’s pressure [was the difference],” McArthur coach Warren Gale said. “We turned the basketball over, especially in the second quarter. That led to a lot of their points. We know that’s what they feed off of.”

Blanche Ely defeated Dwyer, 65-50, in the regional semifinals. McArthur beat Mater, 62-58.