Coming into the Thursday night’s game against Columbus, the South Miami boys’ basketball team was ranked first in the state in Class 8A.

After the Explorers’ Kevin O’Brien made a last-second block at the buzzer to defeat the Cobras 38-37 at home, Columbus (12-2, District 7-1) is now tied with South Miami (11-3, District 7-1) for the first-place seed in District 15-8A.

“They are ranked No. 1 in the state. Our guys followed the game plan to the letter,” Columbus coach Henry Lorenzo said. “Johnny Minervino, Marquise Clark and Chris Melendez and Kevin O’Brien came up with huge timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

“It gives us a great opportunity to be tied in the district. Columbus and South Miami have battled over the years.”

Trailing by one point, South Miami’s Jorge Perez Leham went up for a last-second shot, but the shot was blocked by O’Brien to seal the victory.

O’Brien also put up a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Leham scored 10 points for the Cobras, but it was still not enough to stop the Explorers from redeeming themselves for a 54-32 loss in November to South Miami at home.

Columbus 38, South Miami 37 – COL (12-2): Melendez 6, Minervino 9, Clark 7, Rico 2, O’Brien 14. SM (11-3): Leham 10, Bartley 2, Cratit 7, Lopez 7, Barney 2, Simmons 8. Halftime: COL 17-13. Three-pointers: Melendez, Minervino 3, Clark 2, O’Brien 2, Leham 2, Kratit. Rebounds: O’Brien 11. Assists: Minervino 5. Steals; Minervino 3, Clark 3.

MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL

•  Kreul Classic – Hialeah Gardens 62, Lexington Catholic 60 – HG: Sanchez 10, Huertas 9, Frye 2, Gonzalez 20, Simoza 15, Leonardo 6. LC: Avare 8, Griffin 14, Johnson 11, Ryan 5, Whitman 18, Banahan 4. Three-pointers: Avare 2, Griffin 2, Johnson 2, Sanchez, Simoza 1.

•  Kreul Classic – High Point Christian 65, University 33 – HPC: McLean 7, Mack 5, Baldwin 7, Wright 12, Kent 10, Gill 4, Masten 5, Williams 3, Kobani 12. US: Romero 3, Barton 9, Kulhari 2, Bullock 4, Allen 6, Bain 7, Striggles 2. Three-pointers: Romero, Barton, McLean 2, Mack, Baldwin, Kent 2.

Braddock 41, South Dade 38 – BRA (5-5): Ramos 12, Fernandez 11, Arrieta 10, Farinas 4, Rosario 4. SD: Beaufort 9, Birtz 8, Davis 8, Fernandez 7, Gavo 2, Collins 2, Hall 2. Halftime: SD 25-11. Three-pointers: Fernandez 3, Arrieta 1, Ramos 1. Rebounds: Arrieta 6. Assists: Arrieta 5.

•  Doral 55, LaSalle 36 – DOR: Reese 12, Ruiz 11, Fernandez 8, Mercondez 6, Mendia 6, Santos 4, Pierre 4, Solivan 3, Garcia 2. Halftime: DOR 27-13.

Carol City 52, American 49 – CC: White 4, Smith 13, Mckennie 15, Williams 5, Thompkins 14, Bell 2, Jackson 1. AME: Foster 15, Andrews 12, Tavernier 5, Escobar 11, Liz 4. Halftime: CC 15-10. Rebounds: Thompkins 14. Blocks: Thompkins 3. Steals: Mckennie 4. Three-pointers: Mckennie 1, Smith 1, Williams 1, Foster 3, Tavernier 1, Escobar 3, Andrews 2.

•  American Prep 63, Grace Academy 38 – AP (11-3): Servero 4, Adem 10, Sawyer 12, Lindsay 19, Brown 18. GA: Easterling 21, Prass 13, Dunn 4. Halftime AP 27-12. Three-pointers: Lindsay 3, Easterling 4, Servero 1. Rebounds: Brown 14. Assists: Sawyer 7. Steals: Servero 5.

•  Coral Park 54, Ferguson 53.