Riviera Prep shows resilience again as it chases fourth state title in a row
Recently, Riviera Prep decided to hang banners side-by-side in their gym, in honor of sibling guards Mason and Myles Fuentes, who have been at the heart of Riviera Prep’s ascent in recent years to becoming a perennial state champion in boys’ basketball.
Mason, a senior, had his No. 2 jersey number retired. Myles’ number isn’t retired yet. He is only a junior.
But neither of the Fuentes brothers like to do anything without the other.
Unfortunately for them, Mason is finishing his career without his brother by his side on the court. Myles recently fractured his ankle and is out for the remainder of the season.
For Myles, his banner signifies “unfinished business.”
“It sucks that my brother’s career got cut short a little bit,” Mason said. “It hurts but at the end of the day, we just have to get the job done and with us, it’s always ‘next man up.’”
But as they’ve demonstrated over their impressive run over the past five seasons, the Bulldogs know how to persevere when adversity strikes.
Led by Mason Fuentes’ 21 points and 6-8 junior forward JJ Watts’ 22 points, Riviera Prep overcame what was likely its toughest challenge of the regional playoffs on Thursday night when it beat Doral Divine Savior, 79-75, in a Region 4-2A semifinal.
The Bulldogs (19-9) will next host either Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy or Miami Country Day in the regional final next Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7.
“The injuries have opened up opportunities for guys to step into bigger roles,” Riviera Prep coach Anthony Shahbaz said. “This could have easily been the regional championship tonight. They won their district and they came in and never let up. They took our best shot. We took their best shot and in the end we came out on top.”
The Fuentes brothers, who have continually made the long commute from Boca Raton to Riviera Prep, have been a part of all three Riviera state championships over the past three seasons.
They and the Bulldogs stand one victory away from making a fifth consecutive trip to the state final four. If Riviera wins a fourth consecutive state title, it would tie Miami Norland and Miami Columbus for the longest title streak in state history by a Dade school. Columbus is chasing its fifth in a row this season in Class 7A, which would tie Jacksonville Arlington Country Day and Malone for the longest overall in state history.
Per the FHSAA power rankings, Riviera Prep has the second-toughest strength of schedule in the state overall behind only defending national champion Columbus. The Bulldogs are also ranked No. 7 overall in the state regardless of classification and No. 2 in Class 2A behind only Jacksonville Providence.
Riviera Prep is still firmly in the hunt despite Myles being limited to spectator status on the Bulldogs’ bench. The Bulldogs are short two of their key rotation players with Myles out as well as senior point guard Randy Livingston Jr.
Myles was one of the team’s most vocal supporters from the sideline on Thursday as he watched his teammates duel the Sharks (19-9) to a 26-26 tie in the second quarter before a 3-pointer by Watts put Riviera ahead for good.
Divine Savior didn’t relent, though, and cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 65-62 early in the fourth on buckets from David Watson and Joost West. Both players finished with 16 points while Fernando Grande led Divine Savior with 19 points, and Yeferson Sanchez added 12.
Watts, who transferred to Riviera Prep from Orlando Olympia before the season, scored 15 of his points in the second quarter, and sparked Riviera’s offense with transition scores and a strong offensive presence in the paint.
“I felt we played great as a team and we were focused all week and were very prepared,” Watts said. “We’re trying to go all the way and make it to Duval. We’re playing for Myles and RJ (Livingston) so we have to pick up the slack for them.”
Watson drove to the hoop, and cut the deficit to 76-70 with 1:06 to go before Riviera broke Divine Savior’s full-court pressure and Watts scored to make it a three-score game again. West hit a 3 with 18 seconds left before Mason hit a free throw to help seal the outcome.
MORE RESULTS
4-1A semifinal - Sagemont 76, Boca Raton Grandview Prep 45: The Lions (21-6) are in pursuit of their fourth consecutive state title and cruised to the home victory on Thursday night. Sagemont, the top overall seed in Class 1A, will next host either Dade Christian or West Palm Beach Atlantic Christian next Saturday at 7 in the regional finals.
