Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
7 hopefuls ready for state semis
Broward, Palm Beach teams set for Lakeland Final Fours
Broward and Palm Beach County basketball programs have a chance to dominate the rest of the state in boys basketball this week.
Seven teams from the area have made the state final four in their class, with local representatives in Class 3A through Class 7A. Five of those seven teams are aiming for their program’s first-ever state title.
Here’s a look at the local teams headed to Lakeland this week;
Forest Hill (28-2)
The Falcons have plowed through much of their schedule this year and earned the top seed in the state semifinals. Forest Hill lost two games in December to Northeast and to Mountain Brook, from Birmingham, Ala., and have not lost since, putting together a 22-game winning streak. The Falcons, ranked third in the state by MaxPreps, have five players averaging double-digit points. Junior Donovan Draper leads the team with 14.8
points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Forest Hill, which has never won a state title, faces Sanford Seminole in the Class 7A state semifinals at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Seminole is 26-4 and is ranked 24th in the state.
Miramar (22-6)
The Patriots squeaked into the state semifinals with a 37-35 win over Western in the regional finals, but Miramar is not necessarily a low-scoring team. The Patriots are averaging 67 points while allowing 54 per game. Brent Davis, a first-team AllCounty pick last year, leads the team in scoring this season. The Patriots have never won a state title. Miramar, ranked 19th in the state, faces Orlando Oak Ridge in the Class 7A state semifinals at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Oak Ridge is 21-8 and ranked 23rd in the state.
Dillard (23-7)
The Panthers return to Lakeland this year after falling to Crestview in the Class 7A state title last year. The Panthers, who have won seven state titles in the program’s storied history, have a balanced team this season. Senior forward Jalen Haynes leads the team with 18.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Dillard, ranked seventh in the state, face Lake City Columbia in the Class 6A semifinals at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Columbia, which hasn’t reached the state semifinals since 1968, is 28-2 and ranked 29th in the state.
Pembroke Pines Charter (25-2)
Like Forest Hill, Pembroke Pines Charter enters the state semifinals as the No. 1 seed in the class and with only two losses. Both of the Jaguars’ losses came at the hands of Northeast, which Pines Charter beat in the regional semis. The Jaguars are a dangerous team, with five players averaging doubledigit points. Senior Dallas Graziani, a preseason Fab Five pick, leads the team in scoring and is averaging 17.9 points. Pines Charter, which has never won a state title, faces Naples in the Class 5A state semifinals at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Naples is 24-6 and ranked 86th in the state.
Stranahan (22-9)
The Mighty Dragons are looking to repeat after winning the program’s first title last season. Stranahan, ranked 18th in the state, lost key starter Brian Dugazon but returned standouts like Inady Legiste and Dave Herard. Those key players led the Mighty Dragons over fellow reigning champion University School in the regional semifinals and Miami Gulliver Prep in the regional finals. Stranahan faces Jacksonville Paxon in the Class 4A state semifinals at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Paxon is 25-5 this season and ranked 13th in the state.
Chaminade-Madonna (22-8)
The Lions are looking for the first state title in program history and the team’s first championship game appearance since 1966. Led by seniors Johnny O’Neil and Andre Weir, who are both averaging more than 17 points, the Lions have won 10 of their last 11 games. Chaminade enters the state semifinals ranked 20th in the state. The Lions face St. Andrew’s at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the 3A semifinals.
St. Andrew’s (24-5)
The Scots are also seeking their first state championship, and they’ll have to get through the Lions to do so. St. Andrew’s faces Chaminade in the Class 3A state semifinals at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. St. Andrew’s has three players averaging double-digit points: Fab Five picks Yussif Basa-Ama and Joshua Minott, plus senior forward Jackson May. The Scots are currently ranked 10th in Florida.