Doral Academy’s Justin Puppo and True North’s Andre Chow are Dade Coaches of the Year
At Doral Academy, Justin Puppo has overseen the rise of one of the state’s top tennis powerhouses in recent years.
After a couple of years putting the pieces together, the Firebirds’ boys returned to the top this past season.
Something similar can be said about coach Andre Chow at True North Classical Academy, which continues to be among the state’s stronger programs. The girls, in particular, have been dominant and added to it this year by repeating as state champions.
As such, Puppo and Chow are the Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade County Boys’ and Girls’ Tennis Coaches of the Year respectively after leading their teams to state titles.
Puppo, who led Doral’s girls to four consecutive state titles from 2018 to 2022, coached the boys to their first state title since 2021.
Led by the combo of senior Ezequiel de la Plaza and sophomore Gabriel Cottone at the top of their lineup, the Firebirds navigated past tough squads like Miami Palmetto at regionals and a 4-2 win over Cypress Bay in the state championship match. De la Plaza finished as a state runner-up in the individual bracket in Class 4A and Cottone went unbeaten at No. 2 singles.
Chow, whose nephew is True North’s No. 1 boys player, senior Brennon Chow, led the Titans’ girls to a repeat state championship in Class 1A.
The Titans swept through their classification and capped another impressive season with a victory over Boca Raton St. Andrews in the final. The team of sophomore Daniela Chica and junior Alba Martinez put the icing on the cake by winning the overall doubles championship in that division. Chica finished as a state semifinalist in Class 1A individually while Martinez went undefeated at No. 2 singles.
