Poll: Who should be the Miami Herald’s High School Athlete of the Week? (April 14)
South Florida’s top athletes were recognized recently in the sports of boys’ volleyball, softball and water polo.
This week, we continue a feature where we ask you to vote for the best performer of the week from boys’ basketball, flag football, softball, tennis and track & field in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thursday, April 17, around 10 p.m. You may vote as often as you like until then.
Here are the candidates:
NOTE: You should see a Miami Herald box underneath this note for you to type Yes and click Submit. That will ignite the actual poll to vote.
▪ Ava Alvarez, Miami Palmetto flag football: the senior quarterback scored the winner on third-and-goal from the Homestead 6-yard line as the Panthers beat Homestead 12-6 in overtime to win their second consecutive GMAC title. She also scored Palmetto’s first touchdown on a run. A few hours earlier in a GMAC semifinal, she scored two touchdowns and threw for another as the Panthers (10-2) defeated Ferguson 32-6.
▪ Isabella Benton, Plantation American Heritage softball: the freshman pitcher whirled a complete game shutout over Parkland Stoneman Douglas 3-0. In 7 innings, she allowed 0 runs, 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 1.
▪ Cayden Boozer, Miami Columbus basketball: the senior scored 27 points to lead the Explorers over Texas’ Dynamic Prep in the championship game of the Chipotle Nationals Boys’ Basketball Tournament in Fishers, Indiana. His buzzer-beating jumper (as time expired) lifted the Explorers to a 47-45 win over Brewster Academy of New Hampshire in the semifinals.
▪ Tyra Cox, Miami Northwestern track & field: the senior sprinter broke meet records in the 100 meters (11.50 seconds) and 200 meters (23.29) as she helped the Bulls win the GMAC girls’ track & field championship at Traz Powell Stadium.
▪ J’Vari Flowers, Miami Northwestern track & field: the senior holds the fastest time in the state in the 200 meters after winning that event in 20.64 seconds at the GMAC Championships. He also won the 100 meters in 10.49 seconds for the third place Bulls.
▪ Remington Goins, Miami Columbus track & field: the senior thrower broke his own meet record in the javelin (170-feet, 10-inches) as he helped the Explorers win the GMAC boys’ track & field championship at Traz Powell Stadium.
▪ Gigi Khoury, Miami Westminster Christian softball: the senior totaled 8 hits, 4 doubles, 5 runs, and 6 RBI as the Warriors went 4-0 to win the Doc4Life High School Softball Tournament in Ocala.
▪ Michael Larionov, Miami Palmetto tennis: the senior won both matches at No.1 singles (over Miami MAST and Miami Mourning) as the Panthers’ boys’ tennis team defeated MAST and Mourning to win the GMAC title.
▪ Samantha Ruiz, Miami Coral Reef track & field: the senior won GMAC titles in the 1,600 meters (5:18.36) and 3,200 meters (11:32.57) events.
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 3:23 AM.
