STA, Ely, Stranahan, Calvary, Sagemont coaches share Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year
It was a banner year for Broward County boys’ basketball.
County teams finished with an all-time record five state championships as St. Thomas Aquinas (Class 6A), Blanche Ely (5A), Stranahan (4A), Calvary Christian (3A) and Sagemont (1A) all brought home the hardware.
In such a historic season, we salute the architects of those title runs.
In Class 7A-4A, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Julius Sandi, Blanche Ely’s J.R. McNabb and Stranahan’s Edward Schuler share Miami Herald Coach of the Year honors.
And for Classes 3A-1A, Sagemont’s David Roe and Calvary Christian’s Cilk McSweeney share that award.
Sandi has spearheaded a restoration process at St. Thomas Aquinas for a program, which has reclaimed its place among the state’s best.
The Raiders put together a dramatic comeback from a double-digit deficit against Orlando Evans in the 6A state final to secure their second-ever state championship and first since 2001.
This followed a dominant 30-2 season during which they also won their first BCAA Big 8 title.
Blanche Ely had a revival of its own in Class 5A.
Under McNabb, who had been coaching the school’s girls’ program in recent years, the Tigers defied the odds and won their first state title since 2019 and their ninth overall with their third different coach, which set a Broward County record.
Ely grinded its way to a 44-38 win over Ponte Vedra in the 5A state final after beating a pair of defending state champions - Pembroke Pines Charter and Miami Norland - in the regional playoffs.
Stranahan found its way back to the top once again, under Schuler, in Class 4A. The Mighty Dragons, who put together an impressive title run of three state titles in four years from 2019-2022, won their fourth this season with one of the most dramatic comebacks ever at the state finals.
Stranahan erased a six-point deficit with 16 seconds remaining to beat St. Petersburg Gibbs 63-62.
On the first weekend of the state championships, Calvary Christian returned to the top after two years away with its own thrilling finish to win the 3A state title. In a game that went back and forth throughout, the Eagles edged The Villages 66-64 and capped a 22-1 season with their first state title since 2022 and fourth overall under McSweeney’s leadership. Calvary Christian finished the season ranked fifth nationally by MaxPreps.
Roe’s Sagemont squad didn’t return this season since it hasn’t moved from the top for the past three seasons. The Lions are in the midst of the greatest run in their school’s history as they capped this latest championship with a dominant performance against Lakeland Victory Christian in the 1A final to secure state title No. 5 for the school and their third in a row.
