Caleb Gaskins, Cilk McSweeney, Michael Mocco voted state’s best. Plus district playoffs and more
Caleb Gaskins, a senior from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, is the 2026 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Basketball in a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school basketball coaches and media representatives.
The McDonald’s All-America led his Columbus squad to a record-setting fifth consecutive Class 7A state title, averaging 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He has signed to play collegiate basketball at NCAA Division I University of Miami.
Gaskins, who became the fourth consecutive Florida Mr. Basketball from Columbus after Cameron Boozer won the honor the past three years, earlier was named the Class 7A Player of the Year. He tallied 137 points to finish ahead of Class 3A POY Cayden Daughtry of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, who totaled 83 points.
Class 6A POY DJ Sandi of St. Thomas Aquinas finished third (59), followed by Class 1A POY Kevin Thomas of Sagemont Prep (24), Class 5A POY Carson Crawford of Fleming Island (22), Class 4A POY Tai Bell of Mater Lakes Academy (10), Rural Class POY Anthony Washington of Branford (7) and Class 2A POY D.J. Gaines of Westminster Academy (5).
More state hoops honors
Cilk McSweeney of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale is the 2026 Florida Dairy Farmers Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year following a final round of voting by a statewide panel of high school basketball coaches and media representatives.
McSweeney led his team to a 24-1 record and a second straight Class 3A state championship, the school’s fifth state title (2017-21-22-25-26) in his 12 years at the school. McSweeney has posted a 205-87 record at Calvary.
McSweeney, who was selected as the Class 3A Coach of the Year in a previous round of voting, finished with 72 points to win the overall award ahead of Class 2A COY Jim Martin of Providence (63) and Class 6A COY Julius Sandi of St. Thomas Aquinas (55). Class 4A COY Jason Powell of Riviera Beach Suncoast finished fourth (46) followed by Class 7A COY BJ Ivey of Sarasota (37), Class 5A COY Dave Roca of Pembroke Pines Charter (32), Class 1A COY David Roe of Sagemont Prep (15) and Rural Class COY Brandon Shingles of Crossroad Academy (10).
State wrestling honors
Cardinal Gibbons High School senior Michael Mocco is the 2026 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Wrestling as the best high school wrestler in the state.
Mocco won his fourth consecutive state championship, taking the 285-pound Class 1A state title, while posting a 54-0 record. Mocco finished his high school career with a 244-6 record and is a two-time U.S. Junior national champion and the current U17 freestyle world title holder. He has signed to wrestle at NCAA Division I University of Iowa.
Mocco won the top wrestling honor over Class 3A Wrestler of the Year Jovani Solis of South Dade, who won his fourth consecutive state title, and Class 2A Wrestler of the Year Tristan Sainz of Somerset Academy-Pembroke Pines, who won his second consecutive title.
Danny Walker of Lake Gibson was named the Boys’ Wrestling Coach of the Year after leading his squad to both the Class 2A team and dual meet state championships.
Walker won the overall coaching honor over Class 3A Coach of the Year Humberto Reyna of South Dade and Class 1A Coach of the Year Brandon Neifeld of Mater Lakes Academy.
The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers’ commitment to the state’s youth. This is the 34th year of these unique awards honoring the state’s top athletes and coaches in FHSAA-sanctioned sports.
District water polo
Led by three-time Miami Herald All-Dade first teamer and senior captain Sophia Kingston with 8 goals, 3 steals and 1 assist, the Gulliver Prep girls’ water polo team (17-3) beat Cutler Bay 16-2 to win the District 16 championship and advance to regionals.
Sophomore Emma Preston added 1 goal, 6 steals and 6 assists. Junior Gaby Souza had 2 goals, and freshman Sophia Hoppe had 2 goals, 1 assist and 1 steal.
District lacrosse
The Belen Jesuit boys’ lacrosse team defeated Miami Country 23-2 in the District 15 semifinals.
Matias Cabanas led all scoring with 10 points, 6 goals and 4 assists. Jack Consuegra had 5 goals and 2 assists, Lorenzo Magarino added 3 goals and 3 assists. Michael Gonzalez scored twice, and Adrian Navarro, Marcelo Olivella, Ben Portela, Adriano Vizoso, Andreu Sardon, Daniel Dyer and Jack Guitian also scored.
Defensviely, goaltenders Adrian Bertorelli and Noah Rodriguez were stellar between the pipes, while Guitian and Portella dominated the faceoff X.
The 17-2 Wolverines will faceoff on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the district championship against the visiting NSU University School of Davie (15-3).
Softball
Orange Bowl Invitational: Braddock 9, South Dade 4: Winning pitcher Emely Ramirez helped her cause, betting 2-for-3. Anais Gonzalez went 4-for-4 with 2 runs. Anelis Goberna was 2-for-2, and Emily Cancio added a hit with 2 RBI. Brd 5-4, SD 6-7.
Baseball
Southwest 18, Dade Christian 3: The Eagles completed their regular season at 14-7, earning the No.1 seed for the District 16-7A Tournament. Nathan Montano 2-2, 3 RBI; Tyler Villamor 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI; Dylan Duarte 2-2, HR, 3 R; Anthony Reyes 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI; Alejandro Porta 2-3, 3 RBI; Brandon Piedra 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Boys’ volleyball
Reagan d. Hialeah Gardens 25-17, 25-14, 25-17: Diego Requena 12 kills, 19 assists, 7 digs, 5 aces; Michael Perez 10 kills, 13 assists, 2 blocks, 5 digs; Felipe Rivero 8 kills, 20 serve received, 9 digs; Anthony Cipolla 4 kills, 9 serve received, 6 digs; Santiago Mejia 9 serve received, 8 digs, 2 aces. Rea 9-7.
Submit sports results
For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity sports results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@miamiherald.com.
They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. You will be alerted when it will appear. Also, some will be considered athlete of the week nominations.
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Compiled by Jim Varsallone
jvarsallone@miamiherald.com
