A barrage of scoring propelled the Coral Shores boys varsity basketball team to a win against the Marathon Dolphins, 59-20, on Feb. 4 at Marathon High School. With the victory, the Hurricanes were crowned county champions following a clean sweep of their fellow island rivals.
For the first time in decades, the Hurricanes beat the Dolphins and Key West Conchs in the same season. The Hurricanes bested the Conchs in two close contests on Jan. 18, 56-49, and Feb. 2, 59-52. The ’Canes routed the Dolphins in both games by more than 30 points.
“Monroe County has a tremendous basketball tradition, and winning the county is always taken very seriously by all of the schools,” said coach Jared Mandozzi. “If you go to any of the games over the years you quickly see how different it is when the schools play each other. Coral Shores has had some great players and teams over the years, but this is the first time winning the county championship and to do it via sweep going 4-0 is that much sweeter. “
Mandozzi said sophomore guard/forward Isaac Holmes and sophomore point guard Isaac Rivera led the team this season. Holmes registered 21 points and 10 rebounds in a win against Marathon. Gabe Delgado had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The No. 5 seed in the ’Canes lost a close game to the No. 4 seed Palmer Trinity, 49-44, at the district tournament in Miami on Feb. 8.
The ’Canes played a tough schedule, including non-district games against powerhouse schools in LaSalle, Varela and Ransom Everglades. The team won eight of their last 10 games.
Coral Shores Gabriel Delgado (22) attempts to block a Dolphin shot. 
Junior Connor Gilbert (10) takes a shot under the basket. 
Matthew St. Aubin (2) tangles with the Marathon defense. 
Coral Shores senior Gabriel Delgado (22) lays in a Coral Shores basket. 
Coach Jared Mandozzi speaks to his team during a time out.
