Columbus basketball team ends Miami High’s season for a fourth straight year
You couldn’t blame this particular Miami High fan.
“Ooh,” she yelled, “I can’t wait for your first year of college.”
That fan was likely talking about Columbus’ star twins – Cameron and Cayden Boozer – who combined for 39 points on Thursday night to lead the Explorers to a 74-44 win over Miami High in a Class 7A regional final at FIU.
Columbus, the No. 1 team in the nation according to MaxPreps, improved to 25-3, with zero losses coming against Florida schools.
Miami High finished its season at 22-6, with one-third of its losses coming against Columbus by a combined 58 points. Miami High’s other four losses were by a combined 16 points.
The twins – sons of former NBA standout Carlos Boozer – have started for Columbus since their freshman seasons.
Cameron and Cayden, both seniors, are now two wins away from finishing their prep careers with four straight state titles.
Prior to the arrival of the twins on campus, Columbus had never won a boys’ basketball state title.
Just ask Miami High about the Boozer twins. This is the fourth straight year that Columbus has ended the Stingarees’ season, and three of those games were played in the regional finals.
“I told the twins after the game: “I’m so happy I don’t have to see you anymore,” Miami High coach Humberto Govea said with a laugh. “Those kids are great, and they have always been respectful.
“There are kids who like basketball, and then there are kids like the Boozer twins who live basketball.”
Both Boozer twins are set to play for Duke next season. Cameron, a 6-9, 245-pound power forward, is ranked as the nation’s third-best senior by ESPN. He had a game-high 22 points on Thursday.
Cayden, a 6-4 point guard, is ranked No. 16 among the Class of 2025. He chipped in with 17 points.
On Thursday, Columbus led 10-5 after a sluggish first quarter. Cayden had seven points on 3-for-5 shooting, including a swished 3-pointer. Cameron had the other three points, but his only made basket on four attempts was a lucky banked-in 3-pointer.
Cameron, though, scored eight points in the second quarter as Columbus built a 29-14 halftime lead. The highlight play of the quarter was Cayden’s alley-oop pass that was converted into a spectacular dunk by Cello Jackson.
Caleb Gaskins, a 6-7 junior forward who transferred in to Columbus this season after previously playing at IMG, got insanely hot in the third quarter, scoring 15 of his 19 points as the Explorers pulled away for a 53-30 lead.
“I don’t know if he missed a shot in the third quarter,” Columbus coach Andrew Moran said of Gaskins. “He has a great touch around the basket and a great mid-range jumper.”
Victory assured, Moran started to pull his starters with 3:41 left in the fourth.
In summary, the Explorers dominated Miami High with their pressure defense, and that was especially effective because the Stings were without starting point guard Absalon Cortes (foot injury).
Miami High star senior Romari Robinson finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, drawing praise from his coach.
“He showed he was on that same level,” Govea said. “He wasn’t afraid. He played his butt off.”
Columbus will next play Sanford Seminole (15-11) on March 7 in a state semifinal game at Lakeland.
However, Thursday marked the twins’ final high school game in Miami.
“Time goes by quickly,” Moran said. “It’s been an amazing run with them. They set the tone for us and what we can build on going forward.
“We have traveled the country playing the top teams. We’ve been ranked No. 1 in the nation most of the season, and it’s awesome to see.”
Cayden Boozer agreed that time has flown by for him, but he’s ready for a fantastic finish.
“We’re going back to Lakeland,” he said, “and that’s all that matters.”
MORE RESULTS
▪ Region 3-3A final - Calvary Christian 74, Boca Raton St. Andrews 53: The Eagles (20-1) secured their first trip to the state final four in three seasons and will take on Cardinal Gibbons in an all-Broward matchup in the state semifinals next Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. Calvary Christian is vying for its fourth state title overall.
▪ Region 4-3A final - Cardinal Gibbons 68, Gulliver 54: The Chiefs (25-4) outlasted the Raiders at home to secure their first trip to the state final four since 2015 when they won their lone state championship.
▪ Region 4-1A final - Sagemont 74, West Palm Beach Atlantic Christian 30: The Lions (20-8) secured their fourth consecutive trip to the state final four with the mercy rule victory at home. Sagemont will take on Jacksonville Impact Christian on Tuesday in a Class 1A state semifinal at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
This story was originally published February 21, 2025 at 12:33 AM.