Belen trounces rival Columbus in boys’ basketball 51-35
Belen has high-ceiling players — literally.
The Wolverines, thanks to eight high-floating three-pointers, defeated the Columbus Explorers 51-35 in the annual basketball game between Miami’s two most-prominent all-boys Catholic schools.
The rivalry game drew approximately 3,000 fans at the BankUnited Center, home of the Miami Hurricanes.
“It’s a friendly rivalry, but [beating Columbus] means the world to these kids,” Belen coach Jose Roca said. “This is something they can talk about 10-15 years from now.”
Belen (16-4), which never trailed, was powered by Alfredo Consuegra and Juan Carrillo, each with a game-high nine points.
Consuegra, a senior guard, said this was redemption for last year, when Belen lost to Columbus by two points.
“I happened to be the guy with the ball at the end,” said Consuegra of last year’s final missed shot. “The ball felt like it was on the rim for an hour. It came off, and it was a gut[-wrenching loss.] … This was a good win.”
Columbus (10-12) didn’t score until 5:19 had elapsed in the first quarter. Belen led 7-0 early and 22-13 at the half. Columbus cut its deficit to 30-23 after three quarters and trailed 32-26 with 6:26 left in the game.
But impressive freshman point guard Alec Rodriguez hit a three-pointer to quiet the Explorers, and Belen rolled from there.
With the win, Belen tied its series against Columbus 8-8 in the 16 years since the game was resumed.
With a solid record this season and a win over their biggest rivals, Belen’s hopes for a strong playoff run next month are soaring — just like one of its three-point shots.
And as the game’s outcome became apparent in the dwindling minutes, Columbus’ fans, already looking forward to spring, chanted their response to Belen’s win:
“Let’s play baseball!”
COL: Figueredo 8, Mantell 2, Mas 8, M. Rodriguez 2, Pace 5, Gomez 2, Cooper 6. BEL: Salazar 6, A. Rodriguez 8, Consuegra 9, Romeu 8, Carrillo 9, Cabrera 3, Puente 5, Mejer 3. HT: 22-13 BEL. Three-pointers: Salazar 2, Consuegra 2, Figueredo 2.
MORE BOYS BASKETBALL
▪ MLK Showcase (Jacksonville) — Melbourne 77, American 68: AME (12-6): Johnson 24 , Jones 7, Harris 20, Evans 7, Hall 2, Copeland 3, Vilchez 3, Petit Frere 2. MEL (19-0): Chiles 5, Riffe 1, Horchler 8, Nesmith 14, Folsom 29, Smith 2, Morgan 1 Green 1, Brown 2, Mullen 9. HT: 38-20 MEL. Three-pointers: Johnson 7. Rebounds: Harris 12. Assists: Folsom 5.
▪ MLK Classic — Chaminade-Madonna 60, Calusa Prep 49: CM: D.Allen 22. CP: E.Gonzalez 19
▪ MLK Classic — McArthur 68, Carol City 35: MCA: N.Johnson 19 points, 4 steals, 5 assists.
▪ Florida Christian 50, Ransom Everglades 43: FC: Rivero 8, Cabanas 2, Dahlan 2, Valdes 14, Pericles 2, Wright 12, Perez 10. RE: Bartley 14, Mihm 2, Pardo 12, Andris 12, Cobb 3. Three-pointers: Pardo 4, Andris 4. Rebounds: Cobb 12. Assists: Rivero 4. Steals: Wright 3. HT: FC 25-17.
▪ Palmer Trinity 48, Somerset Academy Silver Palm 38: PT (8-10): Montalvo 20, Cuellar 9, Diaz 8, Devine 6, Friedland 3, Waldman 2. SA (5-4):Serrano 8, Padro 7, Diaza 5, Passmore 4, Martinez 4, Jackson 3, Toro 3, Caula 2, Chichester 2. HT: PT 33-21. Three-pointers: Cuellar 2, Montalvo 2, Serrano 2. Rebounds: Devine 9. Steals: Montalveo 3. Assists: Montalvo 3.
▪ Westwood Christian 62, Champagnat 59: CH: Cortijo 12, Brenan 7, Ferguson 26, Denzel 10. WWC: Monell 17, Mejias 13, Dowuona 15, Osceola 17. Rebounds: Dowuona 17. Blocks: Dowuona 6. Steals: Monell 5. Assists: Monell 5.
▪ Braddock 56, TERRA 38: TER: Swihart 15, Cueto 13, Chutkan 2, Velasquez 5, Bacall 1, Chumbless 2. BRA: L.Garcia 3, Grant 9, Valdes 6, Molinares 14, Gomez 4, Madonna 6, Acosta 5, G.Garcia 5, Penalver 4. Three-pointers:Swihart 2. HT: 26-25 TER.
▪ Coral Reef 55, Homestead 50.
FOOTBALL
There is a new football head coaching vacancy in Miami-Dade County.
David Gray confirmed to the Miami Herald before Friday night’s Dade/Broward All-Star game at Flanagan High School that he was stepping down as the head coach at South Miami.
Gray took over for Lamont Green following the 2011 season and compiled a 16-24 mark for the Cobras during his four-year tenure. Last season, South Miami finished 3-7 and seventh in the nine-team District 16-7A.
No replacement for Gray has been announced yet.
BILL DALEY
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Doral 65, Grandview Prep 51: DA (19-4): Barrios 21, Martinez 19, Arriete 6, Suarez 6, Rondon 4, Vega 4, Guerrero 3. Gp: Ramposad 34, Anaiser 8, Ramposad 7, Romero 2. HT: 37-24 DA. Three-pointers: Barrios 5. Assists: Martinez 5. Rebounds: Suarez 4.
▪ Keys Gate 65, SLAM 43: HT: KG 38-17. KG: Denis 25, Tyre 11, Velez 11, Moore 8, Calderon 6, Klinar 2, Ward 2. SC: Rodriguez 9, Jalene Garcia 8, Franco 7, Perez 6, Jacky Garcia 6, Velasquez 4. Rebounds: Denis 15. Assists: Tyre 7. Steals: Denis 5. Three-pointers: Garcia 2
▪ Westminster Christian 67, Carrollton 13: CAR: C. Shriver 3, T. Eathakotti 1, J.Cordella 4, T. Jauregui 4, N. Ingraham 1, WC (9-4): S.Poveda 30, D.Coakley 19, P.Hernandez 14, T.Jones 4. Rebounds: Jones 4. Three-pointers: Hernandez 3. Assists: Hernandez, Coakley 3. HT: 45-7 WC.
▪ Mater Academy 53, Florida Christian 38: FC: M. Bert 4, M. Nunez 12, M. Irvine 3, R. Rico 11. MA (11-6): A. Jimenez 8, A. Alicandu 2, E. Acosta 34, M. Sequeda 8. Steals: Acosta 11. Assists: Acosta 6. Rebounds: Irvine 14, Sequeda 5. Blocks: Irvine 7.
▪ St. Brendan 64, Ransom 21: SB (16-7): Dominguez 10, Armas 4, Prieto 7, Lara 15, Padro 6, Alonso 4, Sanchez 14, Viaros 4. RE: Quanstrom 10, Pedroso 1, McDowell 10. HT: 36-6 SB. Three-pointers: Lara 3. Rebounds: Padro 8. Assists: Dominguez 3, Sanchez 3. Steals: Sanchez 10.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
▪ District 14-5A Semifinal — Flanagan 3, Krop 2.
▪ District 16-4A Final — TERRA 2, Doral Academy 0: Sofia Aviles goal. Alexandra Pepin goal. Karina Bermudez 2 assists. Madeline Dawson shutout. TER 17-1.
▪ District 14-2A Final — Pine Crest 1, Cardinal Gibbons 0: Autumn Clark goal. Sophia Danielsen shutout. PC 17-1-2.
▪ District 15-2A — Ransom Everglades 4, Mater Lakes 0.
BOYS’ SOCCER
▪ American Heritage Plantation 3, American 3: Benji Grossi goal. Landon Lupo goal. Khalil Winder goal. AHP 14-2-4.
▪ Miami Country Day 1, Archbishop Curley 0: Agustin Popiloss goal. Michael McPherson shutout. MCD 9-10-1.
WRESTLING
▪ District 16-2A Duals —Goleman 36, Central 31: 182: Enrique Kelly pin 4:24. BG 5-2.
▪ District 16-2A Duals —Goleman 46, Miami Springs 24: 113: Noah Sinko pin 1:10. 120: Alex Godinez pin 1:32. 160: Jesus Perez 18-9 Major.d. 152: Richard Norat pin 31sec. BG 6-3.
▪ District 16-2A Duals —Goleman 51, Northwestern 15: 120: Alex Godinez pin 1:42. 170: Kevin Morales pin 1:15. 182: Enrique Kelly pin 3:20. 195: Ivan Martinez pin 1:33. HWT: Anthony Bello pin 42sec. BG 7-3.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
MLK Classic at Coral Springs Arena: Coconut Creek vs. Palm Beach Gardens, 10:30 a.m.; Cardinal Gibbons vs. Palm Beach Lakes, noon; Coral Gables vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 1:30; Boca St. Andrews vs. Oxbridge Academy, 3; Coral Springs vs. PBG Dwyer, 4:30; Miami Christian vs. Dillard, 6; Norland vs. Westminster Academy, 7:30
Brito at Redland, 2
La Salle at Florida Christian, 5
Archbishop Curley at Hillel, 9:30
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
MLK Classic at Dillard: Sagemont vs. Miami Christian, 9 a.m.; Boca Raton Grandview Prep vs. Covenant Christian, 10:30 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale vs. Booker T. Washington, noon; Monsignor Pace vs. Lake Worth, 1:30; American Heritage vs. Miami Norland, 3; Boyd Anderson vs. Clearwater Calvary Christian, 4:30; Blanche Ely vs. Nova, 6; South Broward vs. IMG Academy, 7:30; Dillard vs. Miami Country Day, 9.
Calvary Christian at Gulliver, 2
Hialeah at Lourdes Academy, 4
This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 11:56 PM with the headline "Belen trounces rival Columbus in boys’ basketball 51-35."