Miami-Dade boys’ basketball preview: Reigning state champs looking to repeat dominance

Asked for his thoughts on leading his high school team to a second straight boys’ basketball state title, Mater Lakes Academy coach Dylan Estock had a classic response.

“There is,” Estock said, “no other option.”

Mater Lakes (Class 4A) is one of four reigning state champs from Miami-Dade County, joined by Columbus (7A), Belen Jesuit (5A) and Riviera Prep (3A).

Indeed, Miami teams went 8-0 at state last season, winning those four out of a possible seven state titles.

It was one of the most dominant performances of the Florida boys’ basketball tournament that goes all the way back to 1922 and went to three classes in 1946.

As for what happens next, Columbus -- ranked among the top-five teams in the nation -- is expected to repeat.

However, rival Belen is rebuilding and may give way to six-time state champ Norland, which is led by 6-6 forward Marcus Allen, a University of Missouri recruit. Allen spent his junior season playing for an Arizona school but has since returned to Norland.

The Mater Lakes Bears are led by senior wing Christian Reid, who is a Southern Miss recruit. But the Bears will likely still get a challenge from Broward County’s Calvary Christian, which is back in contention for state titles after having played an independent schedule.

In 3A, Riviera Prep will be challenged by Broward power Westminster Academy. Miami’s Divine Savior has a largely international cast that could make noise in 3A, too.

Here’s a closer look at the boys’ basketball teams in Miami, starting with the four reigning state champs:

▪ Columbus (26-4) lost just one game to a Florida school last season, getting upset by Miami Palmetto in overtime.

But Columbus now has ex-Palmetto guard Randy Smith – who is a standout shooter -- on its roster, so it all worked out for the Explorers.

Columbus is led by the Boozer twins, who are the sons of ex-NBA All-Star and Olympic bronze medalist Carlos Boozer. The Explorers this season added the Richardson brothers, the sons of former NBA Slam Dunk champ Jason Richardson.

It’s an embarrassment of riches for Columbus as 6-9 forward Cameron Boozer is ranked the No. 2 junior in the nation; 6-3 point guard Cayden Boozer is ranked the No. 16 junior in the nation; 6-3 senior guard Jase Richardson has signed with Michigan State; and 6-6 forward Jaxon Richardson is a future star who is already elite defensively.

In addition, Columbus has 6-8 senior forward Malik Abdullahi, who has committed to Princeton; and 6-2 shooting guard Benny Fragela, who are both returning starters.

▪ Belen, founded in Miami in 1961, won its first state title last season. But the Wolverines (28-4) have since graduated all five of their starters plus two key reserves.

The five new starters are all long-time Belen students – no transfers. Belen coach Chachi Rodriguez, who also led Coral Reef to a state title in 2009, said he is confident the Wolverines can reload.

“Our junior varsity has lost just six games in five years,” he said. “And we also have teams in the sixth, seventh, eighth and nine grades, and they are all learning our same system. We press and use speed to our advantage since we don’t have great size. We’ll shoot a lot of 3-pointers, too.”

▪ Mater Lakes, founded in 2006, won its first state title. The Bears lost to just two Florida schools last season, state champs Columbus and Sagemont by 13 points each.

The Bears graduated two seniors from last season: Michael Bradley, who now plays for Barry University; and Gabriel Fajardo (Florida National).

Their top-two returners are the aforementioned Reid, a 6-5, 220-pounder with a 44-inch vertical; and junior Anthony Knowles, a 6-0, 195-pound point guard with just three-percent body fat. A pair of Palmetto transfers have been added: Braylon Burbridge, a 6-2 combo guard with a 4.1 GPA who is drawing interest from Ivy League schools; and Teo Martinez, a 6-9 junior forward who blocks shots and scores inside.

Reid, who, according to his coach, “sells out on every possession,” will set the tone, and 6-3 senior Desmond McIntosh, 6-3 senior Clarence Burts and 6-5 junior Bertran Walthour are also in the rotation.

▪ Riviera Prep, founded in 1950, finally won its first state title. The Bulldogs (27-6) held 27 opponents to their season low in points last season. Only six opponents avoided that fate. The Bulldogs won the state final, 51-27, and they beat Divine Savior by 30.

Three of the Bulldogs losses were to Florida state champs: Sagemont by two points, Mater Lakes by seven and Columbus by 11. Also of note, Riviera Prep only beat Westminster Academy by two points in the regional finals.

This season, the Bulldogs will be led by 6-4 junior shooting guard Dante Allen, who is a Power Five recruit. He is the son of former NBA player Malik Allen, who is now a Heat assistant coach.

The Bulldogs also have 6-0 freshman guard Myles Fuentes, a phenomenal leaper who averaged 9.9 points on the state-title team even though he was only in the eighth grade. His brother, 6-1 sophomore Mason Fuentes, is also a standout.

Riviera Prep also has great size with 7-foot junior Gustavo Guimaraes, a native of Brazil; 6-10 junior Garang Dhieu, a Sudan native with a 7-4 wingspan; and 6-8 freshman Jeremy Jenkins. All six of those Bulldogs players will be Division I recruits, according to their coach, Anthony Shahbaz.

▪ Norland (21-8) lost in the regional finals last season to Belen by 12 points. Now the Vikings add Allen, who is a fierce defender. Triston Wilson, a 6-6 senior shooting guard, is Norland’s other Division I recruit. He has committed to Presbyterian.

Wilson averaged a team-high 16.9 points last season. The Vikings also return three other starters, including 6-4 senior guard Jamal Ware; and 6-7 senior center Kendrick Preston, who is Norland’s most improved player.

“If we don’t win state this year,” Norland coach Lawton Williams III said. “I would be surprised.”

▪ Divine Savior (21-7) graduated seven players from a team that lost in the regional semifinals. The current squad will be led by 5-11 junior point guard Thiago Sucatzky, who has played for Argentina’s Under-17 national team. He already has an offer from Kansas. Also, watch Erick Morales, a 5-11 junior combo guard from Puerto Rico; and 6-6 sophomore forward David Watson from Nicaragua.

▪ True North (24-6), which has won two straight district titles, lost in the regional quarterfinals last season. The Titans are led by Jasen “J-Roc” Lopez, a 5-11 point guard who averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 steals and 3.7 assists, making first-team All-Dade. Boosie Swan, a 5-10 sophomore guard, averaged 16.9 points and made second-team All-Dade.

▪ Florida Christian (10-17), with new coach Derrick De La Grana, could be a threat in 3A due to good size and skilled shooters. The Patriots are led by 6-4 junior guard Kohl Rosario, who averaged 16.5 points and 5.6 rebounds and has offers from Southern Miss and FIU. The other guards are 5-6 junior Ryan Rangel and 6-1 senior Landon Rodriguez. Newcomers include 6-7 senior forward Vejas Matekonis, a transfer from Lithuania; 6-9 freshman power forward Daouda Ndiaye; and 6-11 freshman center Modou Ndiaye.

▪ Southridge (21-7) is led by 5-11 point guard Rey Daniels (11.0 points, 3.0 assists). Coach Robert Doctor said O’cien Valdes (17.0 scoring average) is the best 3-point shooter in Miami. Deandre Hardy, a 6-4 junior, rounds out a quality backcourt. The top forwards are 6-6 junior Benjamin Hall (8.0 points, 8.0 rebounds) and 6-7 senior Jan Lopez (10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds).

▪ St. Brendan (21-8) won a district title and advanced to the regional quarterfinals. The Sabres are small – no top-six player over 6-3 – but they can shoot 3-pointers and defend. Three guards lead the way: 5-10 senior Adrian Alicea, 5-10 junior Jonas Duque and 6-1 sophomore Jonathan Gonzalez.

▪ American (20-8), which prides itself on defense, will be led by 6-1 senior guard Kenneth Johnson III, who averaged 13.0 points, 8.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds. Other top players include 6-6 senior forward Alex Brigitte; 6-1 junior guard Angel Torres; 6-3 senior guard Omar Baqai; 5-10 senior guard Quentin Bush; and 6-5 junior forward Derrius Black.

▪ Gulliver (17-12) is back for the third season under coach Ray Allen, a former NBA star. The Raiders’ top six players are all guards shorter than 6-2. Senior Jackson Mansfield, who has an offer from Carnegie Mellon, leads the team. Juniors Amare Sanders and Jacob Marquez round out Gulliver’s top three players.

▪ Northwestern (16-8) will be led by 6-6 shooting guard Calvin Russell Jr., who as a freshman led the Bulls in scoring (18.8), assists (2.7) and steals (2.7). He is also a four-star football prospect as a wide receiver, with scholarship offers to Alabama, Auburn and many more.

▪ Braddock (16-9) is powered by senior guards Marcus Zenck; team leader Jonathan Hernandez; leaper Alejandro Lopez; and stellar shooter Aden Aguilar. The Bulldogs can shoot, and they are aggressive defensively, but they lack size and rebounding. New coach Adam Graham said the 6-3 Zenck is capable of getting 20 points and 10 rebounds on any given night.

▪ Miami High (14-10) will be led by four junior guards: 6-5 Romari Robinson, who averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 4.0 steals; 6-1 Absalon Cortes (13.0 points); 6-7 Aaron Richard (8.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks); and Joseph Jean (16.0 points). Robinson is getting mid-major scholarship interest, and the Stings go 10 deep with speed, experience and defensive toughness.

▪ Ferguson (14-11) will be led by 5-10 senior guard Jordan Gonzalez, who averaged 27.9 points; 6-4 senior forward Brandon Vazquez (14.5 points); and 5-11 senior guard Andrew Reguiera. The Falcons also added two key newcomers: 5-11 senior guard Jhorman Gomez and 5-10 senior guard Alex Rauseo. The Falcons don’t have great size, but they move the ball well.

▪ Miami Central (12-11) are led by four seniors: 6-4 guard Jordan Wright; 6-0 guard Bakeri Alcide; Christopher Guillod; and 6-6 forward Malik Excoffery.

▪ Westminster Christian (13-14) is led by 6-1 junior guard Cooper Whitby, who averaged 13.0 points and made 43.2 percent on 3-pointers. Julian Crespo, a 6-0 junior guard, averaged 17.0 points.

▪ Palmer Trinity (9-14) will be led by 6-4 junior forward Graham Yanowitch, who averaged 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds; and 6-2 junior guard Harrison Miles (11.3 points, 2.3 assists). This is an unselfish team that plays hard. While not super athletic, they can shoot 3-pointers. This past summer, they toured France, playing three exhibition games.

▪ Goleman (7-16) is a young team led by sophomore guards Frudias Porter and Anthony Otero-Puriamar. Junior Albert Guerra rounds out the backcourt. Up front, 6-4 sophomore Khimari Hudson and 6-3 junior Michael Gonzalez hold it down.