South Florida could win six girls’ basketball state titles this week. A look at the teams
The Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian girls basketball team has already made program history by advancing to the state semifinals.
Now, the Eagles want to take their history-setting season a step further.
“That was our goal — to get there,” coach George Adams said. “Now the girls are like, ‘OK. We’re here. Let’s get it done. Let’s win it.”
They’re not the only area team looking to bring home hardware.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties will be well-represented at Lakeland’s RP Funding Center this week, with a half dozen teams advancing to the girls’ basketball state final four.
The group includes three defending state champions: Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in 6A, Plantation American Heritage in 5A and Miami Christian in 2A. American Heritage is looking for its fifth consecutive state title, a feat accomplished by only two other teams (Jacksonville Ribault from 1999 to 2003 and Miami Country Day from 2014 to 2019). A fourth team, Miami High, is looking to play in a state title game for the fifth consecutive year and win its second title overall in that span. A fifth, Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy, is looking for its third state title but first since 1991.
And then there’s Calvary Christian, a team that is playing in the state semifinal for the first time in school history.
The Eagles (22-6) are peaking at the right time. They have won 12 consecutive games after starting the season 10-6. There has only been one close game in that stretch, their 64-63 Region 4-4A final win over Mater Lakes Academy on Friday to punch their ticket to Lakeland.
Calvary Christian will face Jacksonville Bishop Kenny at noon Thursday for a spot in the Class 4A championship game.
Leading the way on the floor are seniors Samiyah Briggs and Elizabeth Schnell, both of whom are averaging more than 16 points per game for the Eagles and provide a veteran presence on an eight-player roster that includes three freshmen and two sophomores.
“They know everything,” Adams said. “They know all the plays. They know every spot on every play. They know what’s expected.”
As for the other five South Florida teams heading to Lakeland:
Miami High (19-8) has won 17 of its last 18 games after starting 2-7 and has brought its game to another level since point guard Janay Quinn returned to the lineup after missing a month with an injury. Quinn is averaging a team-best 11.7 points in 13 games played.
St. Thomas Aquinas (25-4) has rolled through most of its competition this year. The Raiders, ranked as the top team in Class 6A and No. 4 in the state overall by MaxPreps, have only had eight games decided by fewer than 10 points — three of those coming against district rival Blanche Ely. Seniors Maya Williams and Jada Green as well as juniors Karina Gordon and Alancia Ramsey pace the team.
American Heritage (23-4) graduated three of its top four point scorers from last season’s championship team and had a fourth, Sydney Shaw, transfer out. That hasn’t stopped the Patriots. McDonald’s All-American Ta’Niya Latson, who transferred in from Atlanta’s Westlake High, is pacing the team with an average of 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 5.3 steals per game. Fellow seniors Joey Delancey (16.3 points) and Emani Theodule (12.2 points) as well as junior Sydni Studesville (10 points) are averaging in double figures.
Westminster Academy (25-5) last played for a state title in 1999. The Lions are back in the final four after a convincing win over perennial power Miami Country Day in the regional final. Senior point guard Claire Erickson (14.4 points, 4.6 assists per game) is the veteran on an eight-player roster that includes four freshmen. One of those freshmen, Lina Girardi, averages a team-high 20.5 points per game.
And Miami Christian (19-8) is led by the one-two punch of senior Enjulina Gonzalez (15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.5 steals per game) and sophomore Samantha Vales (14.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.2 steals per game). The Victors outscored opponents by an average of 58 points in their three regional games.
Girls’ Basketball state championship schedule
WEDNESDAY
▪ Class 2A semifinal: Miami Christian vs. St. John Neumann, noon
▪ Class 3A semifinal: Westminster Academy vs. Florida High, 4 p.m.
THURSDAY
▪ Class 4A semifinal: Calvary Christian vs. Jacksonville Bishop Kenny, noon
▪ Class 5A semifinal: American Heritage vs. Pensacola Pine Forest, 2 p.m.
▪ Class 6A semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Nease, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
▪ Class 7A semifinal: Miami High vs. Colonial, 2:30 p.m.
▪ Class 3A championship: IF Westminster Academy advances, 4:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
▪ Class 2A championship: IF Miami Christian advances, 10 a.m.
▪ Class 4A championship: IF Calvary Christian advances, 12:30 p.m.
▪ Class 5A championship: IF American Heritage advances, 3 p.m.
▪ Class 6A championship: IF St. Thomas Aquinas advances, 5:30 p.m.
▪ Class 7A championship: IF Miami High advances, 8 p.m.
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