Broward County high schools had another stellar season on the gridiron, the courts, the tracks, the fields and the diamonds.

In all 11 state championships were won by Broward schools this past season with American Heritage (four) and St. Thomas Aquinas (three) leading the way.

Although the state titles created some of the more memorable moments in Broward this season, there were others as well. . . .

1. The St. Thomas Aquinas football team finally overcame its nemesis Lakeland to win its second consecutive state championship and with it the mythical national championship. And the Raiders left no doubt about who was the country's best team outscoring opponents 175-43 in the playoffs before meeting Lakeland.

The Raiders dominated the Dreadnaughts 56-7 to lay claim as the best high school football team in 2008.

2. Two of Broward's best basketball players delivered state titles for two different Panthers teams. Parkway's Erica Wheeler and Pine Crest's Brandon Knight led their teams to Class 3A state crowns in Lakeland. Wheeler sparked the Panthers'

49-42 win over P.K. Yonge in the girls' 3A title game. Knight played a major part in the 60-44 dismantling of Orlando Jones in the boys' 3A championship game. For their efforts, both players received prestigious postseason honors. Wheeler was invited to play in the McDonalds' All-American Game in Coral Gables.

Knight was the named the nation's best high school player winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

3. American Heritage brought home four state championships in four different girls' sports. The Patriots won the Class 1A girls' golf title for the second time in three years. Heritage also won the Class 3A girls' soccer championship. In the spring, the Patriots captured the Class 2A tennis championship in Orlando and Heritage was the first of two Broward teams to win a state softball title. The Patriots won their fourth state softball title in six years after shortstop Sasha Horton hit a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally Heritage to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville Bolles for the 3A state crown in Plant City.

4. Cooper City softball had come close several times to a state championship in years past. Then with two of the best players in Broward County and rookie coach Phil Schmalz, the Cowboys broke through earlier this month in Plant City. Led by Class 6A-4A Pitcher of the Year Corinne Clauss and Class 6A-4A Hitter of the Year Stormi Gryzbek, the Cowboys defeated Miami Ferguson in the state semifinal and then Jacksonville Fletcher for the 6A state championship.

5. Miramar quarterback Eugene Smith was one of the more exciting players to watch in Broward County. And if there was any doubt about that, Smith proved it during the FHSAA playoffs. In three consecutive postseason games, Smith rallied the Patriots in the fourth quarter to three wins. In the opening round of the playoffs, Miramar snuck past Carol City 28-26. The following week, Smith brought the Patriots back with some fourth-quarter magic against Cypress Bay for a 34-29 win. In the regional final, Smith stunned 6A power Deerfield Beach with his third fourth-quarter rally in three weeks for a 34-30 victory and a berth in the state semifinals. But alas, Smith's pocket full of comebacks ended against Miami Northwestern in the semifinals as the Bulls convincingly won 42-23. Smith takes his act to West Virginia this fall.

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