Columbus’ Gaskins, Doral’s Myers are the Dade Large School Athletes of the Year
Columbus’ Caleb Gaskins stepped into the spotlight and quieted the doubters.
And Doral Academy’s D’Naela “DJ” Myers helped the Firebirds make history in basketball, and provided key contributions to teams in two other sports.
Gaskins and Myers are the Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade Large School Sports Athletes of the Year.
Gaskins, a McDonald’s All-American and University of Miami basketball signee, is the Boys’ Sports winner after helping the Explorers set the Miami-Dade County record for consecutive state championships in boys’ basketball with their fifth in a row. The streak is also tied for the longest in state history.
Myers, a power forward, helped Doral win its first state championship after coming up short at the final four the two prior seasons. She was also the starting goalkeeper on the Firebirds’ soccer team, which advanced to regionals, and a starting wide receiver/safety on Doral’s flag football team.
Gaskins was eager to prove he could keep Columbus’ state championship streak going with him leading a mostly-new roster following the graduation of fellow All-Americans Cameron and Cayden Boozer.
Gaskins, a 6-8 power forward who is rated a five-star prospect by 247Sports, propelled the Explorers through some early-season difficulties and put them on course to another title following a 26-6 season. Gaskins averaged 22.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. His efforts helped Columbus follow up its impressive state run with a national championship in The Throne tournament.
It was the second consecutive season where the Explorers won a national championship after being voted No. 1 in the country last year by MaxPreps.
“Everybody who’s been a part of this game I’ve looked up to, and it’s a great opportunity for all of us,” Gaskins said earlier this year. “They paved the way for us and it’s up to us to continue the legacy.”
Myers, a 5-9 senior, averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds and was a key factor at both ends of the floor for a Doral squad which went 22-8 and dethroned defending state champion Winter Haven in the state final.
“From the beginning, we said to leave it all on the floor since it was our last year,” Myers said after Doral’s state championship win.
Myers effectively juggled being on the hardcourt and the soccer pitch in the same season for the Firebirds. In goal for Doral, Myers made 66 saves during the season and guided the Firebirds to the regional quarterfinals.
MORE BOYS’ FINALISTS
Alec Cruz, Columbus (track and field, baseball): Cruz was a first-team All-Dade selection in track and field after running the fastest times at state in Miami-Dade County in the 100 meters (10.59 seconds) and 200 meters (21.21). And as the starting center fielder of the Explorers’ baseball team, which advanced to the Class 7A regional semifinals, Cruz hit .317 with 32 runs scored and stole 27 bases to earn second-team All-Dade honors.
Darryl Bell III, Goleman (football): Bell was the driving force behind a historic season for the Gators as they advanced to the Class 7A regional finals for the first time in program history. Bell, a Florida State signee, caught seven touchdown passes, ran for one, returned two interceptions for touchdowns, one punt and one kickoff for touchdowns.
Ryan Miret, Southridge (football): Miret, who was an All-Dade first team wrestler and state champion last season, finished his career with a stellar first team All-Dade senior season in football. Miret signed with LSU.
Tedrick Lee, Columbus (football, wrestling): Lee, a senior, finished third at state in Class 3A with a 46-9 record on the Explorers’ wrestling team and was the county’s top finisher at 190 pounds. He also had another strong season in football, helping Columbus advance to the regional semifinals in Class 7A.
MORE GIRLS’ FINALISTS
Katelyn Frazier, Coral Reef (soccer, lacrosse): Frazier once again was one of the most versatile athletes in the county, earning All-Dade first team honors in both of her sports. In lacrosse, Frazier scored 34 goals and had 110 ground balls to lead the Barracudas to the regional playoffs. In soccer, Frazier was an accomplished midfielder, who finished with 11 goals and seven assists.
Jordyn Warren, Homestead (basketball, track and field, flag football): Just a freshman, Warren is just getting started after a great season in which she earned first team All-Dade honors in flag football and third-team in both basketball and track and field.
Marisa Mantecon, Lourdes (cross-country, track and field): Mantecon, a freshman, and younger sister of Small School Athlete of the Year Marcelo Mantecon from Belen Jesuit, is just starting her own stellar career in both of her sports. Mantecon was a first team All-Dade selection in both, finishing top 30 at state cross-country and ran the fastest time in the county at state in the 1,600 meters.
Natasha Macau, Coral Gables (volleyball, beach volleyball): Macau, a junior, has been a key figure in the improvement of the Cavaliers’ volleyball programs. Macau earned Player of the Year honors during the indoor season after leading Gables to the Class 7A regional semifinals. She later formed a formidable pair with senior Bianca Benson to earn first team honors in beach volleyball.
Bianca Benson, Coral Gables (volleyball, beach volleyball): Benson, a senior, teamed with Macau to go 10-1 during the beach season and first team honors. She was also instrumental in the Cavaliers’ indoor team’s improvement in recent years and earned first team honors in that sport as well.
