The Norland (Miami) girls team, ranked No. 4 in the state according to Max Preps' Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard, won the Class 4A title with a 43-38 overtime win over Pensacola, while the Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) girls team won the Class 5A championship with a 53-94 win over Boca Ciega. Norland, which won its second consecutive state title, took a different route to Lakeland after having to move down two classifications to the 4A division, despite dominating the 6A stage last year.
Even though Dillard and Norland were the only winners, the region was still well represented with 16 teams, both boys and girls combined, making it to the state Final Four in Lakeland.
The region also managed to continue its noise throughout the state with Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale) guard Brandon Knight, the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, solidifying himself as one of Florida’s all-time greats after surpassing Kenny Boynton to become Broward County’s all-time leading scorer (3,515 points). Knight, who averaged 32 points per game, also became the state’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer.
Then, team "Thirst Quencher" returned to Fort Lauderdale to bestow another honor to one of its locals, naming Dillard guard Dawnn Maye the 2010 Gatorade Florida Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Maye, a senior and Georgia Tech commit, led the Lady Panthers to their fifth championship after posting 25 points, six rebounds and three assists in the state final. As a result of the honor, the standout guard is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award.
Maye, who averaged 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds this season, helped propel Dillard, ranked No. 3 in Florida by MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard, back into the national spotlight as her team was invited to play in the second annual ESPN RISE National High School Invitational. The Panthers (26-4) are the only team, boys or girls, invited to play in the event from South Florida. Dillard enters the tournament with the second seed and will face Peddie School of New Jersey in a semifinal game on April 2 at Coppin State University in Baltimore. If the Panthers win, they would qualify to play in the championship game on April 3 live on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m.
Patriots to march out of state
After winning the Class 6A state championship, the Miramar football team will now have the opportunity to represent the Sunshine State on a national scale, as it accepted an invitation to play at DeSota High School in Texas. The Patriots, who finished 14-1 last season, will play DeSota on Sept. 11 as part of a series of games involving teams from Florida against Texas. Glades Central, another Florida power, will also participate in the event.
Rising star
American High boys soccer standout Arley Londono has been one of the key pieces in the Patriots' success this season. Despite missing five games with an injury, the junior midfielder scored 18 goals and had 12 assists while leading the Patriots to an 18-5-4 record, a district championship and a regional final appearance. Londono, an all Miami-Dade County selection, has played at the varsity level since his freshman year and has been the team’s captain the last two seasons. The Patriots, who lost to Killian, 2-0, in the regional final, will return next year to reclaim their spot as one of the county’s best but will only go as far as Londono’s legs will take them.
TIP award
This week’s top individual performance award goes to Calvary Christian’s Nick Kumar. Kumar, a freshman, led the Eagles to a 4-0 win over King’s Academy by going 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBI.
Others
Kayla Hernandez, Miami Christian softball, pitched a complete game, struck out five batters, hit a grand slam, a triple and drove in five runs against Cutler Ridge Christian.
Dillon Maya, Coral Gables baseball, went 1 for 2 with a double, two runs and two RBI, while picking up a save in a win over Palmetto.
Derek Vetere, Coral Springs Charter baseball, went 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run as Coral Springs Charter upset American Heritage 4-3.
Kelsey Tomblin, Fort Lauderdale softball, struck out four batters in four innings while going 4 for 4 with three runs in an 18-8 win over Deerfield Beach.
Hector Chevere, Flanagan boys volleyball, had 26 aces, 32 points and 22 assists in a win against Western.
