Riviera Prep's Mason, Myles Fuentes are Dade 4A-1A Boys' Basketball Players of the Year
When adversity struck at the start of the 2024 calendar year, Riviera Prep sibling guards Mason and Myles Fuentes knew what needed to be done.
When it struck again just before the postseason this past February, the duo stepped up again.
A talented team built for a run at a third consecutive state championship lost one of its primary players when former four-star prospect Dante Allen transferred to Montverde Academy.
They later lost multiple players to injuries including 7-foot center Gus Guimaraes.
The Fuentes brothers didn't let the Bulldogs veer off course.
'Everyone had to pick up a big role, but we knew we had to step up our game even more,' Myles Fuentes said. 'We just had to come together as a team and as a family and we did it.'
The result? Mission accomplished.
Riviera Prep hoisted its third consecutive state championship trophy last month after winning the Class 2A state championship.
And so, Mason and Myles share honors of being this year's Miami Herald Miami-Dade County Boys' Basketball Co-Players of the Year for Classes 4A-1A.
'It's a huge accomplishment for both of us and special to share this with my brother,' Mason Fuentes said. 'We'll enjoy it and then the work begins again.'
Mason and Myles Fuentes, both juniors, played integral roles on the court to make the triumph happen as the Bulldogs beat Westminster Academy and later Miami Country Day to make it back to Lakeland.
Once there, Riviera took care of business with victories over Naples First Baptist and Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic to secure the 'three-peat.'
'This third ring is definitely the most meaningful to us because of all the sacrifice and adversity we worked through,' Mason Fuentes said. 'We pray to God every night and keep believing. And we succeeded. None of this is possible without Him.'
Mason, a three-star prospect ranked 28th nationally among point guards per 247Sports, averaged 12.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. Myles, a four-star prospect ranked 11th nationally among point guards per 247Sports, averaged 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and an even three assists per game.
The two will head into a critical offseason when they'll likely decide their college destinations.
And then the work will begin to try to end their careers at Riviera with a state championship sweep.
The Fuentes brothers are hoping to do something similar to what Columbus did this past season and elevate Riviera Prep's program to national title contender status.
'Hopefully we can get to the Chipotle National championship next year, we just have to keep working and keep our level of play high,' Myles said.
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