Wayne Times, Miami Northwestern's most versatile player this season, said he's staying home for college.

Times, a 5-11, 167-pound senior, committed to FIU on Wednesday nearly three weeks after receiving a scholarship offer from the Golden Panthers. ''I told my mom right after they offered me and we talked about it and we felt like it was the right thing to do,'' Times said. ``There's nothing like having a chance to have family close by to watch you play.''

Times played a pivotal role in helping Northwestern become the first Miami-Dade County team to advance to three consecutive state championship games. After spending most of his junior season as a backup quarterback to Jacory Harris, who is now at the University of Miami, Times excelled at multiple positions during his senior year.

Times was most effective at wide receiver, catching 38 passes for 584 yards and six touchdowns. He also played quarterback, running back and returned punts for the Bulls, who went 13-2. Times passed for 476 yards and four touchdowns while splitting time at quarterback with sophomore Teddy Bridgewater and returned a punt for a touchdown.

Times is the second Northwestern player to commit to FIU recently, joining linebacker Kenneth Dillard, and is one of eight South Florida recruits so far.

Times said he believes he will have a chance to compete for playing time at more than one position should he sign with the Golden Panthers on Feb. 4. He looks forward to playing with former Northwestern defensive back Anthony Gaitor and former Miami Springs athlete T.Y. Hilton at FIU.

''Those guys over there now are already having success, and from talking to Gaitor and T.Y., I think they're close to doing something special,'' he said.

BASKETBALL

The MAST Academy boys' basketball team won its first game in four seasons Wednesday night, defeating MacArthur North 46-36 on the road. The Maacos (1-6) were led by Ricardo Rendel and Imani Lee. Rendel finished with 10 points, five assists and three steals, and Lee had 10 points and seven rebounds.

• MCN (0-2): Davis 14, Ponder 15, Brown 7. MAST (1-6): Rendel 10, Lee 10, Graham 9, Heffernan 5, Ahmed 3, Ciliotta 3, Alvarez 2, Paul 2, Wilson 2. Technicals: Davis. Rebounds: Lee 7. Assists: Rendel 5. Steals: Rendel 3.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

• Tuesday -- Northwestern 56, Hialeah 53 -- HIA: Gonzalez 9, Codio 4, Wilkins 4, Jones 10, Jackson 4, Charadan 4, Lavell 18. NW (9-3): Addison 7, Swan 2, Ramonville 12, Thomas 8, Bain 10, Dixons 8, Jordan 3, Ryhmes 6. Halftime: 31-31. Three-pointers: Addison 1, Ramonville 2, Dixons 2, Lavell 1. Rebounds: Addison 10. Assists: Ramonville 7. Steals: Thomas 5.

• Tuesday -- Norland 49, American 40: Ame: Bivins 6, Zapata 4, Bellinger 4, Rodriguez 6, Carbajal 8, Gordon 12. Nor (9-3): C. Roberts 13, Mincy Jr. 4, Jackson 7, Lynch 4, Brown 2, A. Roberts 5, Caynum 14. Halftime: Nor 23-18. Three-pointers: C. Roberts 2, Jackson, A. Roberts. Rebounds: Caynum 7. Assists: Mincy Jr. 3. Steals: A. Roberts 4.

• Tuesday -- Ferguson 52, Sunset 50: Sun: Alvarez 4, Kennedy 4, Averhoff 4, Parris-Young 13, Angulo 7, Brody 8, Manzur 12. Fer (2-9): Rodriguez 12, Weeks 2, Davis 6, Scott 4, Arana 10, Del Castillo 19. Halftime: Sun 21-17. Three-pointers: Alvarez, Manzur, Arana. Rebounds: Davis 6. Assists: Del Castillo 6. Steals: Rodriguez 3.

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