In girls basketball action, Coral Shores was the only Keys team to log a win last week, with their 58-10 thrashing of Basilica. In the Jan. 13 showdown, Melanie Estevez had a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. Julia Miranda added 16. The Hurricanes came close to making it a perfect week, but ultimately lost to Ransom Everglades 52-48 the next night. Miranda had the hot hand against the Raiders, scoring 22, while Estevez netted 12.
Marathon had a tough week, losing four games in a six-day span that started with a Jan. 12 loss at Pace. Shaina Robinson scored 14 of the team’s 21 points in the lopsided matchup. The following day, the team was on the road again, this time at NSU University School, where they endured a 55-25 defeat. An additional pair of losses Jan. 15 and 17 to Silver Palms and St. Brendan School completed the slide.
Key West suffered a similar fate last week with three losses. On Jan. 15, Damarla Thompson managed five points against a strong North Miami Beach squad, but the Conchs fell 49-18. The following day Lilee Gage scored eight and Jasminabonu Ibodilloeva seven against Westminster Christian, but the Warriors outscored Key West 81-28. The team’s final contest, a Jan. 17 road trip to Archbishop McCarthy, ended in a 46-31 defeat. Gage had 11 of those points and freshman Reagen Graham added six.
In boys action, Key West was all even with one win and one loss last week as they maintained their balanced record. The 10-10 Conchs started the week off with a Jan. 12 loss to True North. Jaykub Krytinar scored 10 and Zach Levering pulled down eight rebounds, but the Conchs were without top point-scorer James Osborne and struggled against the Titans, resulting in a 87-21 defeat.
Key West went on to play three games in three days, beginning with a 48-47 win on Jan. 15 against North Miami Beach. Osborne was in the lineup against the Chargers and made his presence known with 19 points. Zach Levering scored 11 and Kyan Gladwell grabbed eight rebounds. A dominant Westminster Christian outscored the Conchs 83-51 despite a double-double performance from Osborne. His 18 points and 10 boards helped keep hope alive while Leo Batista and Zach Levering each contributed eight points in the loss.
Osborne was not the only Conch to log a double-double last week. Levering scored 16 points and pulled down 14 rebounds against a persistent IMG Academy team on Jan. 17. The teams were deadlocked after four quarters, and two overtime periods were necessary to determine a winner. Osborne poured on 26 points to help the cause and Judson Snider pitched in 14 for the win.
Coach Tommy Butler attributed the team’s tenacity to heart. “The guys really wanted to win. They dug deep and trusted each other and executed the play call to perfection,” he said. “It all boils down to them just staying connected and wanting to win.”
Marathon found no rest for the weary last week with four games, all on the road and all resulting in losses. In a highly-anticipated contest with Pace, the Fins hoped to avenge an earlier triple-overtime loss, but found themselves a bit short, losing 62-59. Andrew Suarez sank 29 points, Jack Chapman had 16 and Josh Koler pulled down a dozen boards in the Jan. 12 loss.
One night later, Marathon played Mater Bay Academy, but not at Mater. The teams were able to play the contest at American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat. And though the Fins suffered a 62-59 loss to the Stingrays, the experience was one the team will not soon forget.
“The game at the Heat stadium was a great experience for the kids,” said coach Jim Murphy. “It was definitely a game they will always remember. Our cheer squad had a great performance at the half also. It’s something we would definitely look into doing again.” Chapman scored 18 and Koler logged 10 against the Stingrays.
A day’s rest was all the travel-weary team had before making the trip to Boca Raton and then they headed to FAU the following night. At Boca Raton, Koler came alive with a double-double, netting 14 points and 10 boards. Chapman added 13 and Briggs Roberts 12 in the 66-51 loss. In their final game of the week, Koler registered another double-double, sinking 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Chapman added 10 to the team’s total of 42 but it was not enough to overcome the Owls’ 60.
Coral Shores picked up a win at Basilica Jan. 13 and finished the week with a winning 6-5 record. Jayden Meng scored 18 while Jordon Brown added 16 points and three blocks. Brock Stoky added 15 to his stats in the 87-47 win. The next day, the Hurricanes lost to Ransom, 50-32. Sergio Alvear had the team high of 12 and Meng netted five.
Coral Shores didn’t let the loss keep them down too long. On Jan. 16, they hosted Palm Glades Prep, where the Hurricanes unleashed a fury of points on the Eagles. The ’Canes held the Eagles to just 20 points, matched singlehandedly by Brown, who dropped 20 of his own. Stoky was next with 19 and Alvear and Meng added a dozen points apiece to the team’s massive 83-point total.
“Everyone who dressed, scored,” said head hoops coach Jim Best. Best was happy with his entire team’s efforts, but added praise for Alvear. “Sergio Alvear has emerged as a floor leader, not only scoring but directing our offense,” he said.
Alvear’s leadership comes at precisely the right time. Prep basketball season winds down next week, with playoffs fast approaching. Girls brackets begin Feb. 2 and boys on Feb. 3.
