Boys’ basketball roundup: Northwestern’s Russell Jr. shines in regional quarterfinal win
Miami Northwestern’s boys’ basketball team continued to roll as the regional playoffs began this week.
Calvin Russell Jr. had one of the more memorable performances of the season when he totaled 38 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two steals to lead the Bulls (23-3) to a 79-59 win over Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy in a Region 4-4A quarterfinal at Northwestern.
Zacuras Dawson also had 21 points and five assists while Jamiro Smith had 11 points and seven rebounds.
Northwestern hosts St. Brendan on Monday night at 7 p.m. in the regional semifinals.
MORE BOYS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - Miramar 66, South Plantation 44: Siah Blot led the Patriots (20-8), who advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2021 - the year after they won their lone state championship. Blot finished with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Martell Smith and Joshua Skinner each had 10 points.
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - St. Thomas 69, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 44: Senior Dwayne Wimbley Jr. led the Raiders with 19 points and nine rebounds while DJ Sandi had 11 points, nine assists and four steals. Clarence Westbrook had 13 points. Aquinas (26-2) will host Miramar in the regional semifinals on Monday night at 7 p.m.
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - Boyd Anderson 64, Stuart Martin County 56: Juawayne Walters and Terrence Walker each had 16 points to lead the Cobras (16-9), who advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2021 Demarcus Deroche also had 14 points and nine rebounds and Niteno Pierre had 12 rebounds and five points. Boyd Anderson will next travel to face Coral Springs on Monday night at 7 p.m.
▪ Region 4-5A quarterfinal - Pembroke Pines Charter 72, Delray Beach Atlantic 54: Maximo Ortega led the Jaguars (18-7) with 21 points and four steals. Zemari Days and Robert Guishard each had 18 points. Days had nine rebounds and Guishard had eight. Pines Charter, which is vying for back-to-back state championships, will next host Belen Jesuit on Monday night at 7 p.m.
▪ Region 4-5A quarterfinal - Norland 57, Archbishop McCarthy 47: Lorenzo Major led the Vikings (17-10) with 20 points and four assists. Michael Watson also had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the reigning Class 5A state champions, who will head up to Pompano Beach to face Blanche Ely on Monday night at 7 p.m.
▪ Region 4-4A quarterfinal - Central 61, Reagan 40: Keri Foster and Justin Suarez each had 15 points to lead the Rockets (17-8). Foster also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Marlon Gaitan had 13 points and Willie Dye III had eight points and 11 rebounds. Central will next travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on Stranahan in the regional semifinals on Monday night at 7.
▪ Region 4-3A quarterfinal - SLAM 62, Pine Crest 61: Ethan Taylor had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Titans (15-10). Isaiah Lindor also had 13 points and Wesley Inigo had 11 points. SLAM will next travel to Fort Lauderdale to face Cardinal Gibbons on Monday night.
▪ Region 4-3A quarterfinal - NSU University School 53, Somerset Silver Palms 37: Sean Jones had 23 points and four rebounds while Xavier Osceola had 13 points and six assists to lead the Sharks (16-8). University will next host Gulliver at 6 p.m. on Monday night.
▪ Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Westminster Academy 85, COHEA 63: Alexander Lloyd totaled 27 points and Alex Constanza had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Lions (14-12) Garang Dheiu totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds. Dwight Gaines Jr. had 13 points and 11 assists. Branden Sharpe also had 12 points. Westminster will next take on a familiar foe as it meets Riviera Prep for the fourth consecutive season in the playoffs on Monday night at 7.
▪ Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Chaminade-Madonna 71, Westminster Christian 64: Jasen Lopez led the Lions (23-5) with 30 points, three rebounds and three steals. Isaac Mothersill had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Chaminade will next host Miami Country Day on Monday night.
▪ Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Miami Country Day 75, Divine Savior 70: The Spartans (20-6) had four players who scored in double figures. Fernando Romero and Miguel Orbe each had 19 points while Chaim Galbut had 17 points and Aiden Reed had 13 points.
▪ Region 4-1A quarterfinal - Dade Christian 67, Boca Raton Grandview Prep 54: Kosta Raicevic led the Crusaders (19-6) with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Joshua Berdugo had 18 points and Carlos Celestin had 10 points. Dade Christian will now travel to Weston to face two-time reigning state champion Sagemont at 7 p.m. Monday.
▪ Region 4-1A quarterfinal - Westwood Christian 68, Miami Christian 37: The Warriors (16-7) will travel to West Palm Beach to face Atlantic Christian on Monday at 7.
MORE SCORES
Region 4-7A: Columbus 93, Doral 54; Western 63, Cypress Bay 61; Miami High 65, Lake Worth Park Vista 56; Coral Glades 56, Palmetto 53; 4-6A: Coral Springs 80, Southridge 72; 4-5A: Belen 56, Stuart South Fork 37; Blanche Ely 77, American 22; 4-4A: St. Brendan 67, Riviera Beach Suncoast 62; Stranahan 48, Naples Barron Collier 44; 3-3A: Calvary Christian 68, Avon Park 21; North Broward Prep 61, Fort Myers Bishop Verot 40; 4-3A: Cardinal Gibbons 84, Carol City 46; Gulliver 63, Don Soffer 51; 4-2A: Riviera Prep 77, Palmer Trinity 36; 4-1A: Sagemont 79, Schoolhouse Prep 36.
