Molina, Doctor highlight more coaching changes in high school basketball
Marcos Molina, who has already won two state titles — with Hialeah Gardens in 2012 and with Miami Christian in 2015 — is the new head coach at Coral Gables High.
Molina, 45, served as an assistant last season to Humberto “Tico” Govea, who took the job coaching Miami High.
“I decided to jump back as head coach because I love helping kids,” Molina said. “I love coaching.”
The changes at Coral Gables and Miami High — where Govea replaced Javorie Wilson — are just part of the coaching turnover in Miami boys’ basketball this year.
One of the biggest changes is at Southridge, where Robert Doctor is the new coach. Doctor, who led South Miami to five appearances in the state semifinals, replaces former Hurricanes standout Marcus Barnes.
“I made the move because [Southridge] is closer to home,” said Doctor, who had been at South Miami since 2002.
Although he couldn’t quite bring a state title to South Miami, Doctor led the Cobras to the championship game once, in 2013.
Doctor said he expects Southridge to be a contender immediately.
Meanwhile, Jorge Fernandez is reportedly going from Doral Academy to head coach at Miami Dade College; Eric Rodriguez went from Mater Academy to Mater Lakes; and Jose Ramos was promoted from assistant to head coach at Mater Academy.
THIS AND THAT
▪ It was a great NBA Draft last month for Broward County as former Davie University School wing Scottie Barnes was selected fourth; center Balsa Koprivica (University School) was picked 57th; and ex- Fort Lauderdale Dillard power forward RaiQuan Gray was taken 59th. All three players were teammates at Florida State.
▪ According to Baseball America, three Dade/Broward players are ranked top 50 among high school prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft: St. Thomas Aquinas third baseman Daniel Cuvet (ranked No. 26); Douglas right-hander/outfielder Christian Rodriguez (No. 35); and Calvary Christian right-hander/shortstop Landen Maroudis (No. 48).
Cuvet is a Hurricanes recruit with raw power and a strong arm. Rodriguez is uncommitted, and Maroudis has vowed to play for North Carolina State.
▪ The top two Boston Red Sox minor-league prospects are both South Floridians. First baseman Triston Casas (American Heritage) tops the mlb.com list, and shortstop Jeter Downs (Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace) is second.
Casas, a 6-4, 240-pounder, was a first-rounder in 2018. Casas, 21, hit 20 homers in 120 Class A games last year and is now in Double A.
Downs, 23, is in Triple A. He starred last month in the nationally televised Futures Game, going 1 for 2 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. In 119 games last year, he hit 35 doubles, four triples and 24 homers. He also had 24 steals and 92 runs scored.