Palmetto boys’ basketball survives late rally to advance to GMAC final, Columbus next
Compete for all 32 minutes.
While it sounds cliche, it’s the simple message Miami Palmetto’s boys’ basketball coach Alex Ordoqui has continually instilled into his team this season.
On Wednesday night, the Panthers needed to put that lesson into practice after a 18-point second-half lead vanished against host Miami Norland.
But led by clutch play down the stretch from its guards, Palmetto forced overtime and ultimately prevailed 64-59 over the Vikings in a GMAC tournament semifinal.
The Panthers (18-3) will next take on Columbus, which advanced to the final following an 81-47 win over Miami Southridge, on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus gym. Palmetto has won 14 in a row since losing to Columbus (18-3), which is ranked No. 7 nationally by MaxPreps, on Dec. 14.
“We were able to sustain an enormous run from them and we were fortunate to get it to overtime,” Ordoqui said. “Once we did, we got back to what made us successful the first three quarters and that let us take the lead and control of the game.”
The Panthers led 45-27 late in the third quarter before Norland (14-7) turned up its defensive intensity and began forcing turnovers which they turned into quick points at the other end.
The Vikings put together an impressive 25-3 surge including a run of 15 consecutive points to take a 52-48 lead with just over two minutes left in the fourth.
But that’s when Palmetto’s trio of guards, Randy Smith, Mathew Mairena and Braylon Burbridge made the clutch plays necessary to make sure the Panthers pulled through.
Mairena, who hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter, put Palmetto back in front with another triple and quick jumper.
After Norland took a 55-53 lead with just over a minute left, Smith made his way to the foul line and hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 55. As Norland held for a final shot in regulation, Alejandro Garcia stripped a driving Carl Parrish of the ball, sending the game to overtime after Mairena couldn’t connect on a three at the buzzer.
Smith, who scored a game-high 22 points, scored all nine of Palmetto’s points in the extra period to seal the win.
“We learned we have to stay composed and relax and play together in moments like that,” Smith said. “A win like this boosts our confidence. Now we just have to win a big one on Friday.”
Mairena had 15 points and Burbridge had 11. Norland was led by Wilson, who had 15 points. Marcis Ponder had 10 points, Isaiah St. Preaux scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter on three 3-pointers and Parrish added nine points.
“Randy is one of the best kept secrets in Dade County and our core of guards have kind of gone under the radar,” Ordoqui said. “We have 18 wins because we play as a unit and Randy leads that effort on a lot of nights. Matt will do that on a lot of nights. Bray leads us on a lot of nights. We’re getting to the point where we’re becoming a great team.”
Smith scored 24 points the last time Palmetto played Columbus. But after keeping themselves in the game for roughly a quarter and a half, the Explorers pulled away for a lopsided 88-48 win. With the two teams slotted in District 16-7A, Palmetto and Columbus could also meet in the district tournament final and in the regional playoffs.
“We just have to compete for 32 minutes,” Ordoqui said. “We played them tight the last time for about 12, but we have to compete for 32 and see where we’re at.”
MORE RESULTS
▪ GMAC semifinal - Columbus 81, Southridge 47: Cameron Boozer had 29 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Explorers. Cayden Boozer had 12 points, six assists and six steals. Garyn Bess, Benny Frangela and Malik Abdullahi also each had 12 points.
▪ GMAC quarterfinal - Columbus 86, Braddock 36: Cameron Boozer totaled 24 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and six blocks to lead the Explorers. Benny Frangela also had 19 points and Garyn Bess had 10 points and six assists.
▪ GMAC quarterfinal - Palmetto 66, Northwestern 49: Matthew Mairena led the Panthers with 25 points and Randy Smith had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Braylon Burbridge had 13 points and Santiago Henriquez added 12 points.
▪ GMAC quarterfinal - Norland 68, Miami High 52: Carl Parrish led the Vikings with 18 points and Triston Wilson had 17 points and eight rebounds.
This story was originally published January 25, 2023 at 10:55 PM.
