Pembroke Pines Charter upends South Plantation again to advance to regional finals
Josh Harris and Jeremy Elyzee each scored 22 points as Pembroke Pines Charter rolled to a 67-55 victory over South Plantation at home on Tuesday in a Region 4-6A semifinal.
Pines Charter (22-4) will host St. Thomas Aquinas (21-6) on Friday at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state semifinals in Lakeland.
Pines Charter won the Class 5A state title in 2021 after losing in the final in 2020 to Tallahassee Rickards.
“We forced a lot of turnovers and guys coming off the bench that gave us a lot of intensity,” Pines Charter coach Dave Roca said. “When Jeremy and Josh got going it was a mismatch for [South Plantation]. We’re looking forward to the match up with St. Thomas. We’re not looking for to chasing their little guys around and launching three’s all over the court. We just need to be ready for it.”
The Jaguars are 9-1 in the last 10 meetings against St. Thomas, including a 75-69 overtime victory in December.
A big second quarter for Pines Charter proved to be the difference in the outcome.
An aggressive Jaguars defense forced numerous turnovers that helped lead to many transition baskets.
The Jaguars created the separation they were seeking in the quarter.
Led by the eight points from Harris and a shutdown defense, Pines Charter outscored the Paladins 19-2 for a 31-16 lead at the half.
“Going back to our last game it was the same thing,” South Plantation coach Derek Felder said. “We won three of the four quarters and win you lose one of those quarters it can’t be big. They are a worthy team and they deserved it. We knew what we had coming in, but we just didn’t get it done. Credit to Pines Charter.”
In each of the final three quarters Harris and Elyzee combined for double digit scoring.
The Jaguars were up 59-41 when Harris fouled out with 3:44 to play. It was the Paladins (25-6) chance to make a final run. They cut into the deficit down to 11 points.
But senior guard Ramez Zayed, who had been held scoreless through three quarters, came up with nine points down the stretch to end any Paladins thoughts of a rally.
Pines Charter earned home court and top seed in the region when Zayed made the first of two free throw attempts with 0.8 seconds left in regulation to beat South Plantation by one point in the district final.
▪ Region 4-6A semifinal - St. Thomas Aquinas 57, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 27: The Raiders held the Panthers to seven second half points. Aquinas was led by sophomore Derek Sandi with 17 points and his younger brother Kellson Sandi had 15 points. Ayden Ambrose added 11 points.