State basketball preview: North Broward Prep prepares for first trip to final four in Lakeland
It would be difficult to find a more resilient boys’ basketball team in South Florida than the North Broward Prep Eagles.
On Dec. 2, the Eagles were pounded 68-33 by Miami Norland.
“We got outcoached and outplayed,” Eagles coach Casey Wohlleb said. “No excuses.
“But our message to the players was that this was just one game. Learn from it, and get better tomorrow.”
The Eagles have done just that, producing a 24-7 record and advancing to the state semifinals for the first time in program history.
The Eagles will play St. Petersburg’s Gibbs (25-5) in a Class 4A game at 11 a.m. on Thursday in Lakeland, which will host the entire boys’ and girls’ basketball state tournaments.
Gibbs is led by 6-1 junior point guard Jacob Daniels, who leads the Gladiators in scoring (18.5) and assists (4.8). Gibbs has lost two games in overtime and a pair that were decided by just four points each. In fact, one of Gibbs’ losses came in triple overtime.
“They’ve been consistent all year,” Wohlleb said of Gibbs. “They have size and good guard play, which is a tough combo.”
Wohlleb, who was a player at North Broward Prep from 2002 to 2004, is in his 10th season as the Eagles’ coach.
The highlight for North
Broward Prep this season has happened within the past week as the Eagles eliminated Class-4A favorites Calvary Christian Academy (50-48) and reigning state champ Mater Lakes (48-37).
“We have great depth,” Wohlleb said. “Different guys have stepped up at different times, which makes us hard to prepare for.”
Leading the way for the Eagles are 6-5 senior combo guard Raul Perez and 6-8 senior wing Enrico Borio.
Perez leads the team in scoring (19.4). Borio is averaging 13.4 points and team highs in rebounds (7.6) and assists (3.2).
The other NBP starters are 5-11 sophomore point guard Ryan Baxley; 6-1 senior point guard Dylan Hoffman; and 6-5 sophomore wing Francesco Borio, who is Enrico’s younger brother and the team’s most physical player.
“Raul plays well without the ball,” Wohlleb said of Perez, who has offers from NCAA Division II and NAIA schools. “He’s a gamer. The brighter the lights, the better he plays.”
Enrico Borio has signed with the Jacksonville Dolphins, a Division I program.
“He’s super athletic, and when he plays his best basketball, we’re tough to beat,” Wohlleb said of Enrico Borio. “He’s a great passer and a versatile defender.”
MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Other local teams advancing to the state semifinals in Lakeland include:
Sagemont (23-6), which is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 2A and will play Impact Christian Academy (18-10) at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Sagemont, the reigning state champ, has a 77-17 record over the past three years. Sagemont has won 10 straight games and is led in scoring by
6-6 junior wing Patrick Liburd (16.6) and 6-7 sophomore wing Kevin Thomas (15.3). Dominic Issa, a 6-6 senior forward, leads Sagemont in rebounds (6.0) and assists (4.4).
Riviera Prep (23-8), which is ranked No. 1 in 3A and will play Tampa’s Berkeley Prep (23-6) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Rivera Prep is led by 6-4 junior guard Dante Allen, who is averaging a teamhigh 20.8 points. Berkeley is led by 6-5 junior guard Matt Able IV, who is averaging a team-high 20.7 points.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Local teams advancing to the state semifinals include:
Miami Christian (1413), which will play Central Florida Christian Academy (23-4) on Tuesday at 1 p.m. CFCA, based in Orlando, is the No. 1 2A team in the state. Miami Christian, which played a tough schedule, is led by 5-10 junior forward Maria De Gracia.
Miami Country Day (20-8), which is ranked No. 1 in 3A and will play Providence School (26-2) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. MCD has won 11 straight games. Providence has won 12 straight.
SLAM (23-3), which is ranked No. 2 in 4A and play Bishop Kenny (25-4) on Thursday at 1 p.m. SLAM has won 13 straight games.