Top-ranked
Columbus (Miami, Fla.) on Saturday became the 53rd team in high school basketball history to capture four consecutive state titles in the highest classification, knocking off
Windermere 68-34 in a wire-to-wire victory behind 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks from five-star Duke signee
Cameron Boozer.
Four-star junior
Jaxon Richardson chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and six blocks while four-star Duke signee
Cayden Boozer added 12 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds in the Class 7A state title game triumph.
The result was never in doubt as the Explorers jumped ahead 27-7 at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 47-13 at the half and cruising to a 64-18 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Columbus sat their starters in the fourth quarter as the Wolverines outscored the four-time state championship 18-4 in the final period of play while playing with a running clock.
The Explorers became the second Florida team to win four consecutive state championships, joining Dillard from 2000-2003. Columbus is the third team from the 12 most populous states to win four straight state titles in the highest classification since 2000.
Four-star Duke signee Cayden Boozer closed out run to fourth consecutive state championship with 12 points, six assists and five rebounds as No. 1 Columbus handled Windermere 68-34 in the Florida 7A title game on Saturday. (PHOTO: Francis Fedor)
Cameron and Cayden have been key cogs throughout the Explorers run to the consecutive state titles. Cameron Boozer has averaged 21.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the course of his storied career while Cayden Boozer tallied 14.4 points, 6.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds during the impressive four-year run.
During the pair's freshman year in 2021-22, Columbus finished 30-2 after knocking off Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) 45-44 in the title game to finish the season ranked No. 18 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
As sophomores, the Explorers finished 26-4 after taking down Winter Haven 50-48 in the title game to close out the season ranked No. 8 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Last season, the twins led Columbus to a 29-5 mark after defeating Oak Ridge (Orlando) 72-67 in an overtime thriller to end the year ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Columbus (27-3) is expected to be the top seed in
Chipotle Nationals next month as the Explorers look to become the first team that
competes for a state championship to win the national championship
event.
The Explorers left no doubt in their run to their fourth straight state championship, winning each postseason contest by 30 or more points with an average margin of victory of 35.4 points.
Columbus celebrates after capturing fourth consecutive state championship in Class 7A. (Photo: Francis Fedor)
Five-star Duke signee Cameron Boozer piled up 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the Class 7A state title game. (Photo: Francis Fedor)
