While early-season basketball results throughout the Keys have been a mixed bag, the island chain’s northernmost high school is starting on an upward trend.
Coral Shores’ girls improved to 3-1 with a trio of wins last week, beginning on Dec. 4 with a 58-21 victory over Colonial Christian. Up next was Divine Savior on Dec. 7. Coral Shores dominated the Sharks, winning 47-12. The team then traveled all the way to Orlando for a game against Cornerstone Academy Charter School out of Belle Isle. The three-game win streak ended there with a tight 40-37 loss against the Ducks.
Coral Shores’ boys added a pair of wins to their record last week, beginning with Palmer Trinity on Dec. 4. The 2-1 Hurricanes defeated the Falcons 63-61 in an all-out effort to claim a district win. On Dec. 8, the ’Canes played at home against Palm Glades Prep, winning 74-27. Donovan Thiery led the team in scoring with 22 points. Ayden Lane scored 15, Keegan Fish had 11, AJ Johnson had 8 and AJ Putetti and Jeremiah Burton each put in 6. The Hurricane coaching staff attributed the win, in part, to an aggressive defense that was effective in disrupting Palm Glades’ offensive drives.
The ’Canes have a busy week scheduled, culminating in an appearance at the annual Palmer holiday tournament in Miami, where they will join Marathon and multiple Miami schools for a weekend of games.
The Lady Fins picked up their first win of the season on Dec. 7 at NSU University School. Marti Kilbourne had the high score with 14 points, Elena Eubank scored 11 and Daysi Williams put in 8 for Marathon. Marathon defeated the Sharks 53-49 on their last stop before facing county rival Coral Shores on Dec. 12 (results were not available at press time).
Marathon’s boys picked up another win Dec. 6 against visiting Keys Gate Charter. The Fins outscored the Knights 52-47 in front of an animated crowd. Xavier Grant was the leading scorer in the game with 17 points. Daeshawn Holmes earned another double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Adrian Cruz added 11 points and a pair of steals. On Dec. 8, Marathon traveled to Monsignor Pace to face the Spartans, falling 71-34 in a lopsided affair. Holmes and Grant had 7 points each while Yaniel Garcia and Adrian Cruz both had 6.
The Lady Conchs did not have a game last week, but will continue their schedule against Barron Collier on Saturday, Dec. 16 before heading to Coral Shores on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Key West’s boys had three games scheduled for last week, but Miami Killian and Gulf Coast both canceled their trips to the Southernmost City. They were able to play at Goleman on Dec. 5 and picked up a win on the road, defeating the Gators 79-64. James Osborne had the hot hand, scoring 24 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in a clutch double-double performance. Kameron Roberts had 17 points and 5 rebounds, David Aviles scored 15 and Leandro Batista grabbed 11 rebounds for the Conchs, who are now sitting on an even 2-2 record.
