Palmetto's ''rotation'' of strong golfers helped it complete a sweep of every major boys' golf tournament this season.

On Monday afternoon at Pembroke Lakes Country Club, it was finally junior James Tria's moment in the spotlight.

Tria won his first major high school individual championship to lead the Panthers to the Region 8-2A title and help them advance to next week's FHSAA state championships in Lakeland.

''I had a great front nine with a 32, and I really played the course well once I got ahead,'' Tria said. ``We're all trying to be the one that finishes ahead of the rest on this team.''

Palmetto shot 293 as a team to finish ahead of rival Columbus, which shot a 309 to also qualify for state. The Panthers also won the GMAC, Youth Fair and District 8-2A team titles. Senior Ernesto Marin, who shot a 73 to finish as runner-up, won at districts. Casey Matthews, who won at GMAC earlier this year, finished fourth tied with teammate Hunter DeCamp with a 75.

Tria's round was a personal best at the high school level, and one stroke short of his career-best in any junior golf tournament. He had never shot 2-under-par, however, before Monday.

Palmetto is hoping this level of balance can keep it in contention for a state title next week. The Panthers finished second to Ponte Vedra Beach Nease last year.

Palmetto competed in the Tournament of Champions in Stuart three weeks ago against Nease and Lake Mary and finished third. Both schools are favorites in this season's Class 2A championship.

''It gave us a chance to see how much we need to improve,'' Tria said. ``I think we'll fare better this time.''

• Team scores (Top 2 advance to state): 1. Palmetto 293; 2. Columbus 309; 3. South Dade 318; 4. Pembroke Pines Charter 348; 5. Flanagan 349.

• Individual results (x-individual state qualifier): 1. James Tria (PAL) 70; 2. Ernesto Marin (PAL) 73; 3. x-Nick Fernandez (PPC) 74; 4. Casey Matthews (PAL) and Hunter DeCamp (PAL) 75; 6. Marcelo Huarte (COL) and Robert Hirlemann (COL) 76.

RECRUITING

Duke couldn't beat UM in football last Saturday, but it won a recruiting battle for another one of the top players in the Hurricanes' backyard.

Cypress Bay linebacker Austin Gamble, who visited the Blue Devils this past weekend, decided Sunday that Duke is where he wants to play college football. The 6-1, 230-pound senior is considered the ninth-best recruit in Broward this season by The Miami Herald and a consensus Top 50 inside linebacker by Rivals and Scout.com.

''Duke is making big strides,'' Gamble said.

``They had a couple [of] seasons where they didn't win a game, but they've done a lot better, especially with some guys from down here. A lot of people say Coach [David] Cutliffe and his work ethic are going to change things. I want to be a part of it.''

Gamble said he's passing on offers from Louisville, Pittsburgh, FIU and Mississippi State because he likes the academics at Duke, too.

Gamble is the second commit from South Florida for the Blue Devils, who have five players on their current roster from Dade or Broward including quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. Gulliver Prep receiver Conner Vernon, Miami-Dade's 12th-rated recruit, is also headed to Duke. He made his official visit to Duke this weekend with Gamble.

-- MANNY NAVARRO

• Dade Christian d. Sagemont 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14

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