Five storylines to follow at this year’s state high school basketball finals
There aren’t many corners of Miami Country Day’s gym that don’t have a banner showcasing the championship dynasty of its girls’ basketball team.
That’s what happens when you win 10 state championships and make it to state 13 times in a 14-year span.
Even within all of that success, sometimes a team stands out.
This year’s Spartans might be that squad.
After scratching and clawing their way to a state title last season, Miami Country Day has put together one of its more dominant seasons in recent memory to make it back to the pinnacle.
But the Spartans won’t be alone.
Miami Country Day is aiming for a special sweep as its boys’ squad is making only its second ever appearance and first since 2021 when it lost in the semifinals.
The Spartans’ boys delivered an impressive performance last week to dethrone three-time reigning state champion Riviera Prep and capture the Region 4-2A title.
Country Day’s teams highlight the storylines to follow at this year’s state basketball finals, which have moved further north from longtime host Lakeland to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
The tournaments begin Thursday and run through next Saturday, March 14.
Here’s a look at South Florida’s qualifiers:
1-SPARTANS!
Country Day’s girls have continually played a national schedule during their impressive championship run. That made this season even more impressive as the Spartans head to Jacksonville with a 26-2 record and ranked No. 17 nationally by MaxPreps.
Jalynn Belton, a mainstay on Country Day’s run of three consecutive state championships over the past three seasons, continues to be a driving force, along with senior Casey O’Connell and Kamari Ellis as well as junior Kori Edge and sophomore Kennedy Deal.
Since an overtime loss at Bradenton IMG Academy on Jan. 31, the Spartans have won four in a row and not allowed more than 20 points in a game.
Country Day’s boys (23-7) have been on their own kind of impressive run through the playoffs. After coming up short against Riviera Prep in last year’s regional final, the Spartans dominated from the start this year. Led by junior guard Miguel Orbe and senior forward Kaleb Corbitt, who each had 13 points, the Spartans put Riviera away in the second half with senior wing Fernando Romero knocking down a three-pointer in the final two minutes to halt a Riviera Prep run and extend the Spartans’ lead back to double digits.
Country Day’s teams will play back-to-back on Friday with the boys playing Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic at 3 and the girls playing Jacksonville San Jose Prep at 5. If each advances, they would play their finals on Saturday at 2:30 (girls) and 7:30 (boys).
2-Patriots persevere
The American Heritage girls extended the state’s longest streak of advancing to the state final four to 10 consecutive seasons. But if you checked in on the Patriots at the start of the season, that outcome was in doubt after a pair of key players, Jasleen Green and Taniyah Davis, transferred to other schools.
But the Patriots (17-8) regrouped and have won nine of their past 11 games to earn another opportunity at a state championship in Class 4A. Junior guard Yinuo Wang and sophomore guard Isabella Aloisio each played key roles along with junior forward Kristijana Carattini and guard Zoe Rowe. Heritage faces Jacksonville Bishop Kenny at 5 on Tuesday in its state semifinal.
3-Aquinas double up?
Like Country Day, St. Thomas Aquinas is also aiming for the rare double championship for boys and girls in the same season. The Raiders’ boys (26-4) prevailed last season and returned the bulk of their lineup, led by Clarence Westbrook Jr. and siblings DJ and KJ Sandi. The girls (20-8) are hoping to restart a dynasty after last year’s loss in regionals to Miami Southridge ended a run of four consecutive state titles. Senior guard Ronneisha Thomas, sophomore guard London Thomas and transfer forward Isabella Sangha, a senior committed to Notre Dame, lead the Raiders’ girls. Aquinas’ boys play Tampa Sickles next Thursday at 1 while the girls face Tampa Steinbrenner at 11 am. The finals would be played Friday if they each advance.
![St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders Drake [DJ]Sandi (2) attempts to score against Miramar Patriots during the BCAA Big 8 boys basketball tournament final game on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Fort Lauderdale HS in Fort Lauderdale. Andrew Uloza / for Miami Herald](https://www.miamiherald.com/public/latest-news/fky5yw/picture314532007/alternates/FREE_1200/MIA_boys4BCAABig8basketballtournamentfinalsAU.JPG "MIA_boys4BCAABig8basketballtournamentfinalsAU.JPG")
4-National title?
Calvary Christian is in the national spotlight again a year after McDonald’s All-American Shon Abaev led them to a state title. This year’s Eagles are 22-1 and ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps as they hunt for a national championship. Their first obstacle is a familiar foe as they take on NSU University School in an all Broward Class 3A semifinal on Monday at 3.
Calvary is led by prospect junior guard Cayden Daughtry, who is averaging 26 points per game and has multiple Division-I offers. The Sharks (23-5) present a balanced attack with six players averaging at least 11 points per game led by senior guard Sean Jones. University has played tough opposition such as Sagemont, Boca St. Andrews and Miami Country Day, but this will be their most formidable challenge.
5-Columbus drive for five
No Boozers, no problem? We’ll find out next week if Columbus can complete its journey to Miami-Dade County-record fifth consecutive state championship without Cameron and Cayden Boozer. While a national title is out of the picture for the Explorers (24-6), they can match the state record for consecutive state titles if they beat Lake Mary next Friday at 1 and then either Orlando Oak Ridge or Sarasota next Saturday at 5 in the final. University of Miami signee Caleb Gaskins and transfer guard Felipe Quinones have helped Columbus navigate another tough national schedule and bring a solid inside-out balance to their offense.
More teams to watch
It’s been a historic run for Carrollton’s girls, who are at the state final four for the first time and will face a tough task against Class 3A top-seeded Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons on Monday at 1. The Cyclones (22-2) are led by senior guards Sela Travieso, Alissa Azcuy and junior guard Josephine Salazar.
Doral Academy’s girls changed coaches this offseason with alum Daniela Barrios taking over for Allison Bustamante, who became the head coach at Barry University. The Firebirds (20-8), who face Port St. Lucie Centennial next Friday in a 7A state semifinal at 11 a.m., didn’t miss a beat. In fact, they could be even stronger as they aim for their first state title behind guards Ashley Martinez and Stephanie Vega and forward DJ Myers.
Sagemont’s boys (22-6) are going for its fourth state title in a row and making its fifth consecutive appearance at the state final four. Senior Kevin Thomas is having another outstanding season and is part of a dynamic core along with David Nealy, who transferred from last year’s Class 4A state champion Stranahan. The Lions open the tournament on Thursday at 3 in a 1A semifinal against Central Florida Christian.
Blanche Ely’s girls (20-5) were often denied a trip to state in recent years by St. Thomas Aquinas. The Tigers finally broke through this season in Class 5A and have been dominant, led by the trio of senior Teriyah McFadden, sophomore Aniyah Gooden and senior Isyss Mims, a transfer from Somerset Prep.
Pembroke Pines Charter’s boys (20-6) won a state championship two seasons ago before losing last year in the regional finals to eventual champion Blanche Ely. The steady Jaguars, under longtime coach Dave Roca, have made it back to the dance and are led by the trio of juniors Zacuras Dawson and Anthony Walcott and senior Robert Guishard.
