Columbus boys, Miami High girls are Dade’s best
For all its success throughout its athletic program over the years, Columbus has yet to lay claim to a boys’ basketball state championship.
Meanwhile, Miami High’s girls are no stranger to that kind of success, winning four state titles since 2005.
Judging by their performances on Thursday night at the Miami Jackson High gym, both teams appear to be on the right paths to make it back to Lakeland this season.
For Columbus, the two biggest ingredients are the twin tandem of Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, who once again led it to victory in a 61-53 triumph over Norland to secure what is believed to be only the school’s second
GMAC championship.
“We’re a young team and being able to win a championship game is big, and it’s great for the school and we really, really wanted to do that for them,” Columbus coach Andrew Moran said.
Meanwhile, Miami High played its signature stingy style of defense on its way to a comfortable 49-20 victory over Norland in the girls’ final.
Miami High (13-8) held the Vikings (9-8) to only 10 points in each half a year after it was denied the GMAC crown by its longtime rival.
SEEKING FIFTH CROWN
Beginning with districts next week, the Stingarees are gearing up for a run at a fifth state title and second in the past two seasons after losing in the 7A final last year.
“We pride ourselves on defense like we always do,” Miami High coach Sam Baumgarten said. “I think today was a great example of that.”
Diamelys Morena led the Stingarees with 11 points while Sydney Wilson totaled 10 points.
Miami High used its size advantage to smother a Norland squad missing two starters on the defensive end and pick up key points in transition at the other end.
Danajah Peterson had eight rebounds and five steals while Cameron Araujo had five assists.
LOOKING TO END DROUGHT
The Explorers (21-2) have not made it to the state final four since 2011 and are looking to begin a trend of success similar to the team it vanquished on Thursday in Norland, which has won six state titles in its program’s rich history.
Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the sons of former two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, are at the forefront of that effort.
The duo is averaging a combined 31.4 points, 16.7 rebounds and 10 assists per game this season for Columbus.
Against the physical Vikings, Cameron Boozer barely missed a tripledouble by himself as he totaled 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, while Cayden Boozer had 19 points, six assists and four steals. Garyn Bess also had 11 points.
Marcus Allen continued his prolific season for the Vikings (13-9) as he finished with a game-high 27 points and hit three threepointers.
Lionel Swaby and Jamal Ware each had 12 points as well for Norland.
“We have a pretty unselfish team. [Cameron] is always ready to make the right play and make the right pass,” Moran said. “He can dominate and do it all, and he’s got a great head on his shoulders and does a great job reading the game.”
MILESTONE VICTORIES
Miami High’s victory was Baumgarten’s 300th career coaching win.
Baumgarten, who has coached at Miami High for nearly three decades along with his parents, Sam and Jeanette, and now his brother, Nick, have led the Stingarees to all four of their state titles and five state runner-up finishes.
Norland’s victory over Miami Killian in the semifinals on Tuesday was also the 500th career win for longtime Vikings coach Carla Harris.
Under Harris, the Vikings have won two state titles and finished state runner-up three times.