Heritage’s Williams Gatorade Florida Player of Year

Plantation American Heritage safety James Williams was a gem in the nationally vaunted University of Miami 2021 signing class.

On Thursday, he was named the Gatorade Florida Football Player of the Year.

Williams, a five-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals, was the nation’s No.1 safety. He arrives at UM this weekend to begin college classes Monday.

“Congrats @Begreat_20 on this unbelievable accomplishment. Well deserved. #HeritageBoyz,” his Plantation American Heritage coach Pat Surtain Sr., a former Miami Dolphin, posted on Twitter.

Surtain Sr., was named the High School Football America National Coach of the Year in February.

The All-American Williams

helped the Patriots win a state championship this past season.

Williams played in 13 games this past season, finishing, according to

Max Preps, with 74 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and a blocked punt.

— SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

REGION SOFTBALL

Alexis Ortega hit a winning two-run double in the bottom of the seventh as the Palmetto softball team rallied to edge Coral Reef 5-4 in a 7A region semifinal.

Trailing 4-3, Ana Mendieta and Sophia Wylie each singled on a bunt to open the seventh. A wild pitch advanced therunners to second and third. Coral Reef then intentionally walked Amanda Diaz to load the bases. Ortega followed with the walk-off winning double off a 1-1 count, scoring Mendieta with the tying run and Wylie with the winner.

The Tigers (23-4) took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Coral Reef (1610-1) scored one in the second and one in the third to trim the deficit to one. In the top of the fifth, the Barracudas rallied with two runs to go ahead, 4-3.

Palmetto starting pitcher Melody Vizcaino (18-2) recorded the win. Isabella Martinez went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBI. Mendeita was 2 for 3 with a run, and Olivia

Rapp was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI.

District champ Palmetto plays district runner-up Western in a 7A region final on Friday. The Wildcats (14-8) avenged a district title loss to West Broward (16-8) with a 6-2 victory in 12 innings in a region semifinal, eliminating the Bobcats.

The district champs and district runners-up qualified for regionals.

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7A Region semifinal: Western 6, West Broward 2 (12 innings):

Senior pitcher Alyssa Solo recorded the win, whirling a complete game, allowing two runs in 12 innings.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, the Wildcats rallied to tie the game. Meagan Ramos walked, advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, moved to third on a single by Anna Pollack and then scored on Pollack’s stolen base. Sarah Rosenthal’s game tying RBI hit scored Pollack.

In bottom of the seventh, Pollack tagged outwhat would have been the winning run at home. She then had to leave the game from a wrist injury.

After four scoreless extra innings, Emma Vayne was hit by a pitch in the top of the 12th. Alana Cypress bunted, reaching safely on a throwing error. Vayne advanced to third and Cypress to second. Consecutive singles by Avery Olsen and Melanie Carr scored Vayne and Cypress. Then a two-run double by Solo scored Olsen and Carr.

Solo ended the game in the the bottom of 12th on a come-backer.

6A Region semifinal:

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Doral Academy 8, Goleman 0: Winning pitcher Alyssa Zabala tossed a complete game shutout, allowing two hits, walkingnone and striking out 17.

KC Machado, who hit her 16th home run of the season, and Ana Richiez each had two hits and two RBI.

Doral (26-2) plays Cooper City (20-4) in a 6A region final on Friday.

5A Region semifinal:

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Pembroke Pines Charter 7, Archbishop McCarthy 2:

Good, who committed to the University of Georgia, went the distance, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking outthree.

Stephanie Gonzalez, who committed to South Alabama, was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. Sophomore Alanah Velazquez went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Sophomore Megan Rasmussen hit an RBI double.

The Jaguars (11-11) play Fort Myers (17-6-1) in a 5A region final on Friday.

4A Region semifinal: American

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Heritage 5, Key West 0: Winning pitcher Marisa Thompson 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 4 K; Emily LeGette 2-3, 2B, RUN, BB; Sydney Miller 2 RBI; Halle Roach 2-3, 2 Runs, BB.

American Heritage (14-8) plays Pompano Beach (16-5) in a 4A region final on Friday.

3A Region Semifinal: WestminsterChristian

● 16, Somerset Silver Palms 5:

Winning pitcher Bella Artiles 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K; Hailey Donovan 3-3, 2B, 5 RBI, 14th HR; Cassidy Stouffer 3-3, 2B, 3 Runs.

The Warriors (22-6) advance to a 3A region final against West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy (20-1-1) on Friday.