Alicia DeVaughn, a 6-4 junior center considered one of the nation's top post prospects and a possible 2010 McDonald's All-American selection, has left South Broward for long-time rival Blanche Ely.

Rumors surrounding DeVaughn's departure have swirled around the Bulldogs' program, which she helped win the Class 6A state title two seasons ago, for the past two weeks. On Sunday, Tigers girls coach Tommie Butts confirmed that DeVaughn's transfer was complete.

''Yes, DeVaughn is at Ely; she is enrolled at the school,'' Butts said. ``It was shocking to see her enroll in our school.''

After DeVaughn missed 14 months because of double knee surgery, she returned in the 16th game of her sophomore season and became the rebounding and shot-blocking force South Broward needed to win the 6A state title.

Despite the restrictions of a left-knee brace, DeVaughn averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks and was selected to The Miami Herald's All-Broward first-team.

This season, with her knee fully healed, DeVaughn averaged a career-high 17.8 points, 18 rebounds, and eight rebounds as South Broward (23-5) advanced to the 6A Regional semifinals, where they lost to Miramar.

DeVaughn is tied for the No. 5 spot among posts in the 2010 class by ESPN HoopGurlz and could boost her stock on the AAU circuit.

Ely now has the post presence needed to challenge state runner-up Nova and Dillard in what has become an intriguing District 16-5A next season.

''We lose players all the time, too,'' Butts said. ``If a player is not happy, they are not going to give it their all. My job is to coach whoever is in an Ely uniform.''

PARADE ALL-AMERICANS

Kenny Boynton Jr. and Brandon Knight are on the same team again.

The blue-chip guards and former AAU back-to-back national championship teammates were named to the 2009 Parade All-American team.

Boynton, a 6-3 guard from American Heritage who is headed to UF, was named to the first team, and Knight, a 6-4 combo guard from Pine Crest, was named to the second team.

Boynton, renowned for his attack-mode mentality, averaged 32 points and eight rebounds and led the Patriots to the Class 3A Regional semifinal. On April 18, Boynton will be one of the nation's top 24 seniors playing in the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic in Madison Square Garden. The game will be televised nationally live on ESPN2.

It is the latest postseason honor for Knight, who was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. This past season, Knight averaged a career-high 32 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists to help Pine Crest win its second consecutive Class 3A state title.

BASEBALL

AMERICAN 10, POMPANO 5

Ame 110 350 0 --10 13 5 Pom 020 210 0 --5 7 2

WP: Sergio Quintana (4-0). Top performers: Christian Feliz was 3 for 4 with one run. Ricky Claudio was 1 for 3 with a two-run home run. Luis Rivas was 2 for 2 with two home runs and six RBI.

PINE CREST 9, LELY 1

Lely 001 000 0 --1 3 2 PC (11-6) 012 105 0 --9 9 0

WP: Ben Arkin (2-1). Top performers: Angelo Castaldi was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Dylan Smith was 1 for 1 with two RBI and one run. Michael Pierson was 1 for 4 with two RBI.

CALVARY CHRISTIAN 19, HIGHLANDS CHRISTIAN 14

HC 103 630 1 --14 10 4 CC (13-5) 174 340 0 --19 16 2

WP: Luke Jackson (2-1). LP: Peter Graffeo. Top performers: Taylor Gushue was 2 for 3 with two home runs and six RBI. Vince Alvarez was 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBI. Preston Gainey was 2 for 3 with two RBI.

TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE

BASEBALL

Nova Spring Break Classic

McKinley Spring Break Classic

Golden Gate Classic at Naples

Las Vegas Spring Classic

Valdosta Spring Classic at Georgia

South Carolina Spring Classic

Sarasota Spring Classic

Fernandina Beach Classic

Miami Sunset at Coral Glades, 1

South Broward at Cardinal Gibbons, 3:45

SOFTBALL

Sebastian Classic

BOYS' WATER POLO

St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Boca Raton (Central Park pool), 8

GIRLS' WATER POLO

St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Boca Raton (Central Park pool), 7

BOYS' LACROSSE

District 11 semifinals at St. Thomas Aquinas: Pine Crest vs. North Broward Prep, 6; American Heritage vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 8

GIRLS' LACROSSE

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@