Name tags might be needed when the St. Thomas Aquinas boys' basketball team defends its Kreul Classic title against Fairview (Co.) at the City of Coral Springs Gymnasium on Saturday.
With the graduation of their top four scorers from last season, the Raiders (6-3) look nothing like the team that beat Oak Ridge (Tenn.) 43-42 in the 2006 Kreul Finals and finished 23-6.
The departure of 6-3 shooting guard Martavis Kee, the 2006 Kreul tournament MVP who is playing for Temple, 6-8 forward Jack Eggleston who is playing for Penn and Leonard Hankerson, a freshman receiver for UM, has resulted in several new faces stepping to the fore.
''This has given all of our other kids a chance to play early,'' said Raiders coach Steve Strand. ``That is what the Kreul is about. Playing good competition and prepping for the future.''
Unlike the 2005 and 2006 Raiders, who were built around the scoring prowess of Kee, this year's team prefers to spread the wealth.
Four Raiders are averaging double figures, led by junior guard Dezmen Southward (14 ppg, 9 rpg), 6-6 swingman Brett Bailey (13 ppg, 8 rpg), junior guard Danny Munoz (11 ppg, 5 apg) and 6-2 guard Zach Perkins (11 ppg).
''We have great balance,'' said Strand, whose eight trips to the state playoffs in the last nine years included a 5A title in 2001. ''We don't have a 25-point scorer, but we do have five players that can score 15 points on any given night.'' Aquinas' depth will be bolstered even more when Gabe Holmes, a 6-5 forward and Johnny Carr -- the team's floor leader -- return from football.
After a 1-2 start, which included losses to state powers Boyd Anderson and Blanche Ely -- the defending class 6A champions -- the Raiders have bounced back to win five of their last six games. The resurgence has been led by Southward, a transfer from South Plantation who has added athleticism to the Raiders back-court.
If the Raiders beat Fairview, their second round opponent figures to be Palm Beach Dwyer, which faces Coral Springs at 5 p.m. Dwyer, a perennial state contender known for its hard-nosed defensive play, is ranked No. 9 in the season's first state Class 5A polls.
Another key first round matchup between Miramar (5-2) and Pine Crest features two of Broward's premier point guards in the Patriots' Wally Mejia and the Panthers' Brandon Reese.
Pine Crest (7-2) has played without sophomore star Brandon Knight, who is out indefinitely with an injury, but enter the tournament on a five-game winning streak.
For the first time in its 18-year history, the Kreul will televise 25 of its 58 games, including the Miramar-Pine Crest matchup, live at www.kreul.tv.
VOLLEYBALL
A month after falling in the 3A state volleyball finals, Pine Crest had three players earn recognition on the Florida Sports Writers Association All-State Team.
Junior Shelby Spicer, who had 201 kills, 337 digs, 176 points and 49 aces, was selected to the first team, while Seniors Elizabeth Ross and Tina Arthur were both named to the second team.
Cardinal Gibbons senior Lindsey Cheatham was the only Broward player named to the 4A team, earning second team honors. She had 299 kills, 199 blocks and 20 aces as she led the Chiefs to the regional finals.
Class 3A All-State First Team - Lindsay Young, Tampa Berkeley Prep, sophomore, outside hitter; Eva Dupay, Fort Myers Bishop Verot, senior, outside hitter; Krissy Mussenden, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, junior, setter; Megan Gaughn, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, junior, outside hitter; Shelby Spicer, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, junior, outside hitter; Janae Nelson, Jacksonville Episcopal, senior, outside hitter.
Class 4A All-State Team - Becca Toor, Englewood Lemon Bay, senior, middle hitter; Brittany Muse, Arcadia DeSoto County, junior, middle blocker/setter; Paige DePriest, Ponte Vedra Beach Nease, senior, outside hitter; Elena Sorich, Orlando Bishop Moore, senior, outside hitter; Brett Benzio, Jensen Beach, senior, middle blocker; Leah Leventhal, Alachua Santa Fe, senior, outside hitter.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
• Miramar 47, Western 39: Wes: Grimstead 7, Ford 16, Rogers 2, Senepp 6, Anor 4, Azuland 2, Williams 2. Mir (9-3): A. Thompson 5, T. Thomspon 16, Pierre 20, Johnson 4. Halftime: Mir 24-20. Rebounds: Pierre 16. Assists: A. Thompson 12. Steals: A. Thompson 5, Fuller 5.
BOYS' BASKETBALL
• Miramar 69, Western 40:Mir (7-2): Mejia 17, Martin 3, Roach 2, Jordan 4, Hawkins 8, Ja. Jean 5, Cobbs 4, Antoine 7, Weems 3. West: Gemar 1, David 4, Tovar 5, Blatcher 7, Roberti 13, Rivas 2, Feliciano 2. Halftime: Mir 31-21. 3-pointers: Smith, Ja. Jean, Cobbs, Antoine, Weems, Tovar, Blatcher, Roberti 2. Rebounds: Hawkins 12. Assists: Mejia 12. Steals: Mejia 3.
• Thursday - Douglas 58, Plantation 57 (2OT)
Pl: Green 21, Washington 16, Williams 8, Ennis 7, Dixon 2, Slaughter 2, Wilkinson 1. Doug: Pitera 15, Lazerson 13, Alerte 13, Wallace 13, Moskowitz 2, Haas 2. Halftime: Doug 30-18. Three-pointers: Green 1, Ennis 1, Lazerson 3, Pitera 2. Rebounds: Alerte 10. Assists: Lazerson 3. Steals: Pitera 3.
BOYS' SOCCER
• Pine Crest 4, Coral Springs Charter 0: Kyle Burgs had three goals. Zach Wolfson had three assists. Troy Wiggins played good defense. PC 8-1-3.
• Coral Springs 4, Coral Glades 2: Gabriel Lisboa had three goals. Matias Alvez had on e goal. Alejandro Ganan had one goal. Jeffrey Vera had one goal. CS 9-2-2.
• Western 2, Taravella 2: Nick Stewart and Carlos Henriquez each scored one goal for the Wildcats (5-5-3). Jhan Davilla and Cesar Lopez scored for the Trojans.
• American Heritage 2, Chaminade 0: Sergio Guzman and Santiago Jaramillo each scored for the Patriots (10-1). Chris Giusto had three saves for his fifth shutout.
• Sagemont 6, Calvary Christian 1: Vinny De Souza had two goals. Jorge Aguerrevere and Eduardo Aguerrevere each added one goal for the Lions (5-4).
• Hollywood Hills 5, Northeast 2: Fabian Bastidas and Luis Rivadeneira each scored two goals for the Spartans (5-8-1). Bryan Rojad added one goal.
• Cooper City 1, South Plantation 0: Mario Chumioque scored the lone goal for the Cowboys(5-3-3). Eric Pakowitz recorded his third shutout of the season.
• Nova 2, Staranahan 2: Kadeem James and Juan Cuartos each scored a goal for the Titans (4-9-1).
GIRLS' SOCCER
• Pine Crest 2, Coral Springs Charter 1: Danielle Grossman and Katie Abers each scored one goal. Sophia Roberts had one assist for the Panthers (10-4-3).
• Highlands Christian 8, FAU Henderson 0: Kari Parido had five goals. Lexie Grizzle had two goals. Tayler Petrella had one goal for the Knights (11-2).
• Cooper City 4, South Plantation 1: Lauren MacDonald had two goals. Erica Ershowsky and Kirstie Milliken each added one goal for the Cowboys (9-2-1). Brittney Demitrus scored for the Paladins (8-4-3). Mikaela Barboza had 15 saves.
• Hollywood Hills 4, Northeast 0: April Perry had two goals and one assist. Amanda Saccullo and Sarah Mendez each had one goal and one assist for the Spartans (11-4-1).
• Pembroke Pines Charter 4, Plantation 0: Brianni Lorenzo scored two goals and had one assist to lead the Jaguars (10-5-2). Sommer Norris added one goal and two assists. Brittany Perez had one goal.
• University 5, Calvary Christian 0: Raquelle Newman scored four goals to lead the Suns (8-6-1). Gillian Newman recorded her sixth shutout of the season. Lindsey Horgan had a goal.
• Cardinal Gibbons 8, Olympic Heights 0: Nicole Grunwald scored two goals to lead the Chiefs (13-5). Colline Flaherty added a goal and an assit. Haylee Shoff recorded her 12th shutout of the season.
WRESTLING
• Nova Duels: Douglas 69, Fort Lauderdale 9; Nova 44, Miramar 31; Nova 66, Hallandale 24; Nova 74, Flanagan 0; Archbishop McCarthy 77, McArthur 6; Archbishop McCarthy 78, Piper 6; Archbishop McCarthy 76, Flanagan 6; Archbishop McCarthy 72, Hallandale 9; Miramar 66, Hallandale 12; Hallandale 40, Ft. Lauderdale 24; Miramar 64, Ft. Lauderdale 9; Piper 30, Ft. Lauderdale 28; Flanagan 35, Piper 24; Flanagan 38, McArthur 18; McArthur 44, Piper 12; Miramar 72, McArthur 8.
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
BOYS' BASKETBALL
Dillard at Ely
Chaminade at Hallandale
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Dillard at Ely
Chaminade at Hallandale
Kruel Classic
BOYS' SOCCER
Douglas at Lake Mary
