Region champion softball teams ready for state. Plus state hoops honors, state track nominees, boys' volleyball

Miami Herald

20-05-2025

Region 4-2A softball had plenty of excitement for South Florida teams, leading to an FHSAA state final four opportunity at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
When the dust was cleared, Westminster Christian emerged as region champions, qualifying for the state semifinals.
It wasn't easy.
Miami Westminster Christian came from behind for the second consecutive postseason game, winning a close, extra inning battle, 9-8, over Miami Florida Christian for the Region 4-2A championship.
Trailing 7-1, Westminster Christian scored four runs in the top of the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Each team scored in the eighth inning, and then the Warriors plated one run (the winner) in the top of the ninth and held on for the victory.
In a region semifinal, they beat West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 9-8 in another dramatic comeback.
Behind 8-1, Westminster Christian rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth and five more in the bottom of the seventh to win in a walk-off.
Florida Christian also had a tough game in a region semifinal, edging Fort Pierce John Carroll 4-3 in 10 innings, winning in walk-off style, too.
Leading 2-0, John Carroll evened things with two runs in the top of the fifth. In the eighth inning, each team scored once with the Patriots scoring in the bottom of the frame to continue the contest.
Westminster Christian (20-7-1) will play Panama City North Bay Haven Academy (24-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Warriors seek their sixth state title.
Region 4-2A Championship: Westminster Christian 9, Florida Christian 8 (9 inn.): WC: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 9 IP, CG, 7 ER, 13 H, 6 BB, 3 K; Erin Perez 4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Gigi Khoury 2-3, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Jasmine Armenteros 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; Mya Rodgers 1-4, Sac, R, 2 RBI; Casey Lesman 1-4, BB, 2 R; Abi Barboza 1-1, 3 BB, 2 R; Kaley Dyer 0-5, R. FC: Samantha Otano 3-4, Sac, R, RBI; Danbee Kim 2-5, 2 SB, 3 R; Emily Ruiz 2-3, BB, Sac, RBI; Emma Medina 2-4, 2B, HBP, 2 RBI; Charlee Arana 0-2, 2 BB, HBP, R. WC 20-7-1, FC 19-9.
Region 4-2A Semifinal: Westminster Christian 9, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 8: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 5.1 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K; P Mya Rodgers 1.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K; Gigi Khoury 3-4, HR, 2 2B, HBP, 2 R, 6 RBI; Erin Perez 3-4, 2B, 2 R; Jasmine Armenteros 2-4, BB, RBI; Kaley Dyer 2-4, Mya Rodgers 1-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Abi Barboza 1-3, BB, R; Kelsie Kenny 1-2, BB, 2 R; Gaby Perez 0-3, BB, R. WC 19-7-1, OA 17-8.
Region 4-2A Semifinal: Florida Christian 4, Fort Pierce John Carroll 3 (10 inn.): Winning Pitcher Serena Gillen 10 IP, CG, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K; Shaun Fernandez 2-4, 2 R; Samantha Otano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Kayla Diaz 1-3, RBI; Kianny Gil 1-3, Sac Fly, 2 RBI; Danbee Kim 1-3, Emma Medina 1-4, 2B; Kaylie Gil 0-3, R; Emily Ruiz 0-3, BB, R. FC 19-8, JC 23-5.
▪ More area softball teams won region titles, advancing to state in Longwood.
The Plantation American Heritage softball team won the Region 4-4A title by shutting out Key West 9-0.
The Patriots scored one in the first, three in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth and one more in the sixth to cruise to victory.
In the region semifinals, American Heritage staved off a late rally to edge Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 6-5, and Key West came from behind to win a close one against Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 2-1.
American Heritage (22-2) will play Seminole Osceola (23-7) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Patriots seek their 10th state title.
Region 4-4A Championship: Plantation American Heritage 9, Key West 0: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 0 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K; Emma Griffith 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI; Bria Villano 2-3, 2B, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Isabella Benton 2-4, R, 2 RBI; Adrianna Layne 2--4, 2 R; Lyric Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Kylie Diaz 1-3, HR, R, RBI; Samantha Santana 1-3, R; Arianna Reynolds 1-4, RBI. KW: Shylo Sanchez 2-3, 2B. AH 22-2, KW 16-8.
Region 4-4A Semifinal: Plantation American Heritage 6, Somerset Academy 5: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 11 K; Emma Griffith 2-3, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI; Lyric Rodriguez 2-2, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Bria Villano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Isabella Benton 1-1, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Arianna Reynolds 0-2, BB, R; Adrianna Layne 1-4, R; Mia West 0-2, BB, R. Som: P Caitlyn Diaz 6 IP, CG, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K; Catalina Holguin 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI; Kelsey Gonzalez 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Ava DeLaCruz 0-1, BB, HBP, R; Kiera Carbone 0-4, R; Emily Munoz 0-3, HBP, R; Katie Bailey 1-4, R. AH 21-2, Som 11-13-1.
Region 4-4A Semifinal: Key West 2, Archbishop McCarthy 1: KW: Winning Pitcher Brianna Brenner 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 11 K; Maciee Gage 2-3, Winning HR, R, 2 RBI; Kaleaya Dickerson 0-1, 2 BB, R; Vera Rodger 2-4. AM: P Sienna Garcia 7 IP, CG, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 14 K; Lydia Springer 1-3, 2B, RBI; Elizabeth Varona 1-3, 2B, R; Izabel Baron 2-2, BB. KW 16-7, AM 15-8.
▪ Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas won the Region 4-5A title with a 10-1 win over Stuart South Fork.
South Fork scored its lone run in the top of the first and led 1-0 until the Raiders evened things in the bottom of the third. St. Thomas Aquinas took the lead the next inning and then put the game way with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.
In an exciting region semifinal, St. Thomas Aquinas held on for a 8-7 win over Prembroke Pines Charter.
St. Thomas Aquinas (16-12) will play Niceville (21-6) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Raiders vie for their seventh state title.
Region 4-5A Championship: St. Thomas Aquinas 10, Stuart South Fork 1: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 6 K; Christina D'Agostino 3-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Melanie Sweet 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R; Summer Givens 1-3, 3B, BB, R, 3 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 1-2, HR, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI; Jessica Sacca 1-3, Sac, R; Reese Randall 1-2, BB, Sac, R; Victoria Brunette 1-3, 2B, BB, R, RBI; Brianna Sims 1-3, BB, R; Ashlyn Ward 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI. STA 16-12, SF 17-7.
Region 4-5A Semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas 8, Pembroke Pines Charter 7: STA: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 7 R, 5 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 7 K; Victoria Brunette 3-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 3-3, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Brianna Sims 3-4, R, 3 RBI; Reese Randall 1-4, 2R; Jessica Sacca 0-4, R. PPC: P Destiney Ortega 6 IP, CG, 8 R, 5 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 6 K; Yenisett Yescas 2-4, HR, 2B, R, 5 RBI; Destiney Ortega 3-4, 2 SB, 2 R; Sofia Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, Sac, 2 R; Ariana Bonilla 1-3, BB, 2 R; Isabella Pascual 0-4, RBI. STA 15-12, PPC 12-15.
▪ The Doral Academy softball team won the Region 4-6A title by defeating South Plantation 15-0.
The state-bound Firebirds (29-1) scored 14 runs in the second inning.
In the region semifinals, Doral beat Coconut Creek Monarch 10-0, and South Plantation upended West Boca 14-4.
Doral will play Bloomingdale (19-7) in a state semifinal on Friday. The Firebirds, who won their first state title in 2021, are riding a 12-game win streak with its only loss this season to Alabama Orange Beach 7-2 on April 5.
Region 4-6A Championship: Doral Academy 15, South Plantation 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Sarah Breaux 3-3, HR, 2 R, 7 RBI; Lauren Ali 2-2, BB, RBI; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 2-2, 2 R; Anabela Abdullah 0-2, HBP, 2 R, RBI; Ashley Tremont 0-1, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-1, 2 BB, 3 R. Dor 29-1, SP 14-12.
Region 4-6A Semifinal: Doral Academy 10, Monarch 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 5 IP, CG, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 10 K; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 3-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI; Anabela Abdullah 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Leyani Viruet 2-2, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Sarah Beaux 2-2, HR, 3B, BB, 2 R, RBI; Meagan Villazon 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-3, BB, 2 R, RBI; Sara Utera 0-3, R. Dor 28-1, Mon 12-11.
Region 4-6A Semifinal: South Plantation 14, West Boca 4: Winning Pitcher Reese Chesney 5 IP, CG, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Victoria Vazquez 4-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 5 RBI; Kylee Reaves 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; Amelia Rodriguez 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI; Gianna DiLella 3-3, Samantha O'Steen 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Tessa Bertsch 1-3, BB, R, RBI; Reese Chesney 1-4; Cyan Long 2 R; Isabel Arango R; McKenna Henschel Sac, R. SP 14-11, WB 6-15.
▪ Miami Christian defeated Miami Schoolhouse Prep 6-2 for the Region 4-1A title.
Tied at one, Miami Christian rallied with five runs in the bottom of the fourth to control the game.
In the region semifinals, the Victors beat Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 7-0, and Schoolhouse Prep defeated AIE 12-2.
Miami Christian (16-8) will play Casselberry Geneva (21-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Victors are competing for their fifth state title.
Region 4-1A Championship: Miami Christian 6, Schoolhouse Prep 2: SP: P Samantha Torres 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 0 K; Sofia Villa 2-3, 2B; Valeria Vazquez 1-3, R; Danna Viera 1-2, BB, R. MC 16-8, SP 15-10.
Region 4-1A Semifinal: Schoolhouse Prep 12, AIE 2: Winning Pitcher Samantha Torres 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K; P Analys Uriarte 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K; Valeria Vazquez 3-3, 2 2B, BB, 3 R, RBI; Francela Verdura 3-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R, 2 RBI; Ivanna Bulbarela 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Danna Viera 2-3, 2B, R, RBI; Angelly Benitez 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R; Michelle Dominguez 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Danyela Mandujano 1-1, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Sofia Villa 1-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R. SP 15-9, AIE 10-8.
▪ In 7A, defending state champ Davie Western won the Region 4-7A title in come-from-behind fashion. The Wildcats (20-5-1) play Oviedo Hagerty (23-6) in a state semifinal on Friday in Sarasota.
Click this link for the story.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/prep-broward/article306547441.html
▪ Two of the state's top teams in any classification battled for the right to play at state, and Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms edged Coral Springs Charter again for another 3A region title. The Stallions (22-6) play Dunedin (21-5) in a state semifinal on Wednesday.
Click this link for the story.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article306506741.html
Basketball state honors
Source Hoops presents the 2024-25 Boys' Basketball Class 5A and Class 6A All-State Teams.
Fifteen players represent the best of the best for those high schools that participate in Class 5A of FHSAA boys' hoops, and 15 more who compete in Class 6A.
Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state and without regard to a player's travel team or high school affiliation or his ranking by other outlets.
In 5A, state champion Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was well represented. Players from Miami Belen Jesuit, Miami Norland and Pembroke Pines Charter were also chosen to the elite group.
In 6A, state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas had a few players make the list. Players from Coral Springs and Miramar were also selected for the prestigious honor.
5A FIRST TEAM
Dylon Hannah, 6-2 Sr, Blanche Ely
Nijaun Harris, 6-4 Fr, St. Petersburg
David Barrea, 6-2 Sr, Ponte Vedra
Max Ortega, 6-2 Sr, Pembroke Pines Charter
Angelo Moton, 6-5 Jr, Leesburg
5A SECOND TEAM
Aaron Pensel, 6-7 Sr, Tallahassee Leon
Jeyelen Jonas, 6-3 Sr, Blanche Ely
Carson Crawford, 6-6 Soph, Fleming Island
Dallas Lambert, 6-4 Jr, Port Charlotte
Lorenzo Major, 5-11 Sr, Norland
5A THIRD TEAM
Cornelius White, 6-7 Sr, Gainesville
J.T. Tipton, 5-11 Jr, Lecanto
Ethan Hicks, 5-11 Sr, Wesley Chapel
Orlando Roche, 6-2 Soph, Belen Jesuit
Sam Powell, 6-4 Jr, Naples Golden Gate
6A FIRST TEAM
Dwayne Wimbley, Jr., 6-6 Sr, St. Thomas Aquinas
Arosco Dubois, 6-2 Sr, Orlando Evans
Alex Pierre-Louis, 6-4 Sr, Coral Springs
Treymar Jones, 6-2 Sr, Milton
K.J. Smith, 6-3 Sr, Wiregrass Ranch
6A SECOND TEAM
Clarence Westbrook, 6-1 Soph, St. Thomas Aquinas
Tyson Gilbert, 6-6 Sr, St. Augustine Tocoi Creek
Darius Washington III, 6-4 Sr, Orlando Edgewater
Tre Chisholm, 6-4 Jr, Ocala Forest
Aaron McGee, 6-2 Jr, Viera
6A THIRD TEAM
D.J. Sandi, 6-0 Jr, St. Thomas Aquinas
Brandon Brazell, 6-5 Jr, Stuart Martin County
Josh Skinner, 6-4 Sr, Miramar
Isaac Buckley, 6-5 Jr, Winter Park Lake Howell
Myles Mayfield, 6-7 Sr, Orlando Edgewater
State track nominees
The Florida Dairy Farmers announced the list of nominees for FHSAA top state track & field honors, and the stellar group includes some local athletes. Those area athletes eligible for Miss Track, Mr. Track, Girls' Coach of the Year and Boys' Coach of the Year awards are:
GIRLS
3A: Ariyanna Griggs (Dillard) Jr 100M Champion (11.74); Tyra Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 200M (22.99) & 400M (51.44) Champion; Alexia Reid (Dillard) Sr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Nyla Christian (Miami Northwestern) Jr Long Jump Champion (19-8); Lauren Kirby (Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy) Sr Shot Put (45-3 3/4) & Discus (161-8) Champion; Coach Davidson Gill (Dillard) Champion; Coach Carmen Jackson (Miami Northwestern) 2nd Place.
2A: Grace Aldrich (Carrollton) Sr 1600M Champion (4:52.98); Arianna Garcia (Carrollton) Jr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Alexa Schwartz (Coconut Creek North Broward Prep) Sr Javelin Champion (154-4); Coach Dylan Hermelee (Carrollton) Champion.
4A: Coach Alex Armenteros (St. Thomas Aquinas) 2nd Place.
BOYS
3A: Braylen Bennett (Plantation American Heritage) Jr 100M (10.59) & 200M (20.66) Champion; Tywan Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 400M Champion (46.06); Joseph Socarras (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Sr 800M (1:52.27) & 1600M (4:10.11) Champion; Marcelo Mantecon (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Soph 3200M Champion (8:56.89); Jayden Cadet (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson) Sr High Jump Champion (6-7 1/2); Coach Victor Arrieta (Miami Belen Jesuit) Champion.
2A: Gabriel Carr (Miami Sunset) Sr 1600M Champion (4:17.71); Ian Newton (Key West) Sr Pole Vault Champion (15-3).
1A: Jimmy Bernatek (South Florida HEAT) Sr Pole Vault Champion (14-9).
4A: Remington Goins (Columbus) Sr Javelin Champion (198-7); Coach Danny Areces (Columbus) Champion.
Boys' volleyball all stars
The annual Miami-Dade Boys Volleyball All-Star Game is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the game, featuring the top high school senior boys' volleyball players in the county.
Barry University in Miami Shores is housing the event, organized by Daniel Benitez. There will be several coaches and players who were previous all-stars and all-star coaches in attendance.
Admission $5.
All-County Ballots
High school coaches of spring varsity sports should have received their ballots to send Miami Herald All-Dade and Miami Herald All-Broward nominees. If you have not received a ballot, email [e-mail].
Send high school sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email [e-mail].
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online.
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
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