Broward boys’ basketball preview: Sagemont adds three transfers, seeks repeat at state

Sagemont, which is aiming to win its second straight state title, may be even better this season.

The Lions, who went 29-4 last season, seem like a strong bet to repeat as Class 2A champs, something the program has never accomplished. Its previous state titles came in 2011 and 2014.

David Roe, set to start his seventh season as Sagemont’s coach, returns three starter-caliber players: 6-9 senior forward Kenneth Lopez, who averaged 6.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and a team-high 1.9 blocks; 6-6 senior forward Dominic Issa, a math whiz who averaged 6.7 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds; and 6-3 senior guard Devontae Jean, who averaged 6.9 points and made 42 percent of his 3-pointers.

The Lions also brought in three transfers who are – along with Lopez -- Division I-type recruits: 6-7 sophomore guard Kevin Thomas, 6-6 junior guard Ricky Liburd; and 6-4 senior guard Jordyn Kee.

Thomas, a transfer from Douglas, already has interest from Auburn and Mississippi State.

“He has the highest ceiling on our team,” Roe said.

Liburd, a transfer from University School, may be the team’s best defender and offensive rebounder.

Kee, a transfer from South Carolina, is Sagemont’s starting point guard.

“He’s tough, smart and athletic – very good in transition,” Roe said.

Lopez, who arrived from Puerto Rico prior to last season, is a stellar rebounder with good mobility and shooting skill for his size.

“He’s one of the top shot-blockers in the South,” Roe said.

Rounding out the top six, Jean is the team’s top shooter, and Issa is versatile because he can shoot 3-pointers but also post up over either shoulder, creating mismatches.

“This team is more talented than last season,” Roe said. “It all depends on how they handle adversity.”

Here’s a look at the rest of the county:

TEAM OUTLOOKS

▪ South Plantation (24-5) is coming off a stellar season, going 9-0 at home, winning its first district title in 23 years and winning a “Big 8” game for the first time in program history, reaching the tournament finals.

The Paladins, who also reached the regional quarterfinals of the state playoffs, will be led this season by 6-2 senior guard Kaiden Francis, who led the team in scoring (12.2), assists (3.8) and steals (2.4). He also has a 3.7 grade-point average.

▪ St. Thomas Aquinas (23-4) lost by just two points to Pines Charter in the 6A regional semifinals. The Raiders will be led this season by three top returners: 6-1 sophomore point guard DJ Sandi, who led the team in points (11.1), assists (4.0) and steals (4.3); 6-1 senior shooting guard Matt Andrepoulos (6.1 points); and 5-10 sophomore combo guard Ayden Ambrose (9.1 points). The Raiders are counting on 6-7 senior center Carson Jones to do a lot of the dirty work inside.

▪ North Broward Prep (22-8) reached the Class 4A regional finals, losing to eventual state champ Mater Lakes. NBP also won its first district title since 2003. This season, the Eagles have size, skill, depth and experience. Of the Eagles’ top six players this season, five of them are seniors, and the exception is 6-5 sophomore guard Junxi Yang. Their top seniors are 6-8 wing Enrico Borio; 6-5 wing Raul Perez; 6-5 wing Pavle Djeric; 6-1 guard Dylan Hoffman; and 6-10 center Emiz Kara.

▪ Coral Glades (18-10) is led by 6-8 senior forward Dylan Burrowes, 6-3 senior combo guard Tahir Bond and 6-2 senior shooting guard David Darling. Bond is a Division I talent who defends and has a reliable jumper and an all-around explosive offensive game. Burrowes is a skilled big man who can shoot from deep but also dominate in the paint. Darling is an elite shooter and defender.

▪ Stranahan (17-11) will be led by 5-9 senior point guard Ricardo Williams. The Mighty Dragons also boast 5-9 junior guard Esron Simeon; 6-4 senior forward Mekhi Murray; 5-10 junior guard Patrick Schnell; and 6-3 sophomore guard Christian Yeargin. Schnell averaged 18.0 points last season at Flanagan. Simeon is Stranahan’s leading returning scorer at 13.0 points. Yeargin is a stellar athlete who could eventually be a Division I player.

▪ Pines Charter (16-11) lost in the regional finals to eventual state champion Dwyer. The Jaguars return three starters: 6-7 senior forward Jeremy Elyzee, who averaged 14.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists; 6-8 senior Josh Harris, who averaged 15.0 points and 10.0 rebounds; and 5-10 senior point guard Solomon Hughes, who averaged 8.9 points. Harris has committed to the University of North Florida. The Jaguars also brought in two transfers: 6-1 junior Max Ortega from Doral and 6-2 senior Ramez Zayed (Coral Glades).

▪ Fort Lauderdale (14-10) lost in the first round of districts. Two starters return: 6-5 junior forward Matt Pointer and 6-1 senior point guard Khamari Green. Pointer averaged 10.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. Green averaged 5.0 points and 4.5 assists. Watch out for Reggie Cleveland, a 6-6 junior forward who could emerge as the team’s top scorer.

▪ Coral Springs (14-9), who were beaten in the first round of districts, return all five starters. They also added 6-5 senior Matthew Curprew-Elsy, a transfer from Coral Glades. The other top players are 6-4 junior Alex Pierre Louis; 6-2 senior James Saulsby; 6-4 senior Romae Brown; and 6-3 senior Walter Pierre Louis.

▪ Douglas (18-9) lost star Kevin Thomas, who transferred to Sagemont. But the Eagles, who advanced to the regional quarterfinals last season, will now be led by senior point guard Jaheim Smith and sophomore shooting guard Nick Gallo.

▪ Calvary Christian (7-15), after playing last season as an independent, is back in Class 4A. The Eagles will be led by 6-1 senior guard Stone Bureau and 5-10 freshman Cayden Daughtry. In addition, 6-8 junior guard Shon Abaev is ranked top-40 in the nation in the Class of 2025. Daughtry is ranked top-five in his class.

▪ Miramar won a state title in 2020 under coach Tramaine Stevens, who spent the past two years as an assistant at Chicago State. Now Stevens has returned to Miramar after the Patriots (4-18) struggled last season. Miramar will try to rebuild with 6-5 junior Joshua Skinner, who is a South Plantation transfer; 6-5 junior Nehemiah Jean Charles, who is a McArthur transfer; 6-3 junior shooter Zayvian Bieger, a South Broward transfer; and 6-3 junior “glue guy” Mekhi Hudson.

▪ Blanche Ely (9-12) lacks inside scoring, according to coach Lamar Twitty. Otherwise, the Tigers are long and athletic, and they can shoot. Their top four players are all juniors: 6-0 point guard Trey George; 6-1 combo guard Dylan Hanna; 6-4 wing Terrence Walker; and 6-5 wing Jayelen Jonas. George (15.0 points) and Hanna (12.0 points) are tough scorers.

▪ Pine Crest (8-14) will be led by sophomores Rowan Hoffman and Kareem Khouri. New coach Japhet Kerr said this will be a rebuilding year for the Panthers, who can also turn to seniors Dylan Wigoda, Jayden Lang and Christian Durall as likely starters.

▪ Highlands Christian (7-17) is led by 5-9 senior guard Adrian Suero.