Winning district title and making regionals a first for Braddock High boys’ basketball
For 28 years, Willie Diaz grinded away in virtual anonymity.
His boys’ basketball program at Braddock High School was by itself. The only Miami-Dade County major school to never appear in a regional playoff game. Heck, a .500 season usually would be considered a big deal.
But Diaz never wavered. Rather than choosing to go out and “grab” whatever he could and bring talent in, he played with the kids that came through his door. The ultimate “old-school” coach.
Not only had Braddock never won a district championship, but also the Bulldogs had never even played in a district championship game.
On Friday night, Diaz and his Bulldog players finally got their moment in the sun. Two days after knocking off Ferguson 75-61 in a District 15-7A semifinal to reach first district title game, they went out and knocked off Palmetto 65-61 to win the District 15-7A title at Palmetto High School.
The importance of actually winning the game was huge. Because with the state’s new playoff format (where district runner-ups no longer automatically qualify), the Bulldogs were not guaranteed a regional berth unless they won.
There were plenty of heroes for the Bulldogs but none bigger than Andy Chavez. The junior point guard scored more than half of his team’s points (34) including five 3-pointers as Braddock led 35-27 at the half. Eduardo Perez (nine rebounds, sis points) and Jorge Santos (six rebounds, seven points) also contributed.
“Friday night was not just about me and the kids but a special moment for all of the Braddock alumni and families,” said Diaz, who recorded career win No. 400 last year. “For our program this has been a very long journey and well-earned. Andy came up huge for us as he had a great floor game, reading and reacting and controlling the game.”
They won’t know who they are playing until the state releases its playoff pairings on Monday, but one thing is certain. Braddock (16-7) will be on one of those lines for the first time and be one of the top-four seeds. They will host a regional quarterfinal playoff game at the school next Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
▪ District 15-4A final — Monsignor Pace 71, Miami Springs 61: Marcus Frazier lit it up for the Spartans as he scored 44 points to lead Pace to the district championship at North Miami Beach High School.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Region 4-3A quarterfinal — Miami Country Day 72, Florida Christian 16: MCD – Corbitt 14, Godfrey 11, Daley 10, Shaw 9, Delancy 7, Fishman 6, Gonzalez 4, Guevara 3, Hession 3, Sheppard 2. FC – Barrero 12, Marrero 4. Half: MCD 39-5. 3-pointers: Shaw 3, Fishman 2, McCormack, Godfrey, Guevara, Hession, Barrero. Rebounds: Daley 12. Assists: Godfrey 9. Steals: Corbitt 4. Blocks: Daley, Hession 1. MCD: 19-9
GIRLS’ SOCCER
▪ Region 4-3A semifinal — Palmer Trinity 1, Miami Country Day 0: Carmen Gonzalez Del Valle had the game-winning goal while GK Natalia Rey recorded the shutout in front of the net.
This story was originally published February 15, 2020 at 5:00 PM.