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Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage again sweep Broward All-Sports awards
It was a banner year for the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, even by their always lofty standards. Plantation American Heritage also excelled as one of the top all-around athletic programs in Broward County. So it should come as no surprise that the two schools, once again, are being honored with the Miami Herald's All-Sports Awards in Broward County for the 2024-2025 athletic season. In addition to the overall All-Sports award, the Herald also gives out the Boys' Major Sports Award, which recognizes success across six sports (football, basketball, soccer, baseball, track and field, and wrestling), and the Girls' Major Sports Award, which looks at how schools fared across five sports (indoor volleyball, basketball, soccer, track and field, and softball). Both schools swept all three awards in their respective classifications, with Aquinas winning the large schools division and American Heritage in the small schools division. For St. Thomas Aquinas, the Raiders won an impressive five team state titles this year in football, girls' volleyball, boys' basketball, baseball and boys' lacrosse. The football title was the Raiders' sixth in a row. The basketball team won its first title since 2001. Volleyball won its eighth overall and second consecutive title. Baseball won for the first time since 2018. And boys' lacrosse won for the fourth time in school history. Additionally, STA's girls' soccer and girls' track and field teams were state runner-up and five other teams — softball, boys' tennis, girls' tennis, boys' water polo and beach volleyball — advanced to the state semifinals. The boys' soccer, boys' volleyball, girls' water polo, girls' lacrosse and flag football teams also advanced to the regional final. And to further add to the success, the girls' swimming team finished sixth at state, while the girls' cross country team and boys' swimming team finished seventh and boys' track and field came in ninth. American Heritage, meanwhile, won four team state titles of its own in football, baseball, girls' soccer and girls' tennis. The girls' soccer team also won a national title. The football title was the school's sixth overall and first under third-year coach Mike Smith. Baseball won it all for the second time in the past three seasons. The girls' soccer team now has 14 state titles and has won three in a row. And American Heritage's girls' tennis has won seven state titles overall. Additionally, the Patriots' girls' basketball and softball teams finished as state runners-up, both golf teams finished third and boys' track and field placed sixth. Others to note (in alphabetical order) ▪ Blanche Ely: The Tigers won a state title in boys' basketball and reached the regional final in girls' basketball. ▪ Calvary Christian: The Eagles won a state title in boys' basketball and finished ranked in the top 5 nationally. ▪ Cardinal Gibbons: The Chiefs won a national title and finished state runner-up in competitive cheerleading, finished third in Class 1A in boys' wrestling, reached the state semifinals in boys' basketball and girls' soccer, and advanced to the regional final in boys' volleyball. ▪ Chaminade-Madonna: The Lions won the Class 1A state football for their seventh title in eight years. ▪ Cypress Bay: The Lightning were state runner-up in girls' soccer, advanced to the state final four in boys' tennis, reached the state quarterfinal in girls' tennis and appeared in the regional final in both girls' volleyball and beach volleyball. ▪ Dillard: The Panthers repeated as Class 3A state champions in girls' track and field, was runner-up in girls' cross country and third in boys' track and field. ▪ Flanagan: The Falcons finished third at state in boys' track and field. ▪ Fort Lauderdale: The Flying L's finished third at state in girls' swimming ▪ Highlands Christian: The Knights advanced to the state final four in boys' soccer. ▪ Northeast: The Hurricanes reached the state final four in girls' basketball. ▪ Pembroke Pines Charter: The Jaguars reached the state final four in boys' soccer, the regional final in boys' basketball and finished ninth at state in boys' cross country. ▪ Pine Crest: The Panthers finished third at state in boys' swimming, sixth in boys' golf and eighth in girls' swimming. They also reached the regional final in girls' volleyball and girls' tennis. ▪ Sagemont: The Lions won their third state title in a row in boys' basketball and reached the regional final in girls' volleyball. ▪ Somerset Academy: The Panthers won the Class 2A state title in boys' wrestling, reached the regional final in girls' soccer and finished eighth in girls' track and field. ▪ Stoneman Douglas: The Eagles won a state-record, fifth consecutive state title in baseball and reached the regional final in girls' soccer, boys' tennis and girls' tennis. ▪ Stranahan: The Mighty Dragons won a state title in boys' basketball - their fourth since 2019. ▪ Western: The Wildcats won a state title in competitive cheerleading, reached the state final four in softball and made it to the regional final in both football and flag football. ▪ Westminster Academy: The Lions won their first state title in boys' water polo in addition to finishing fourth at state in boys' cross country, sixth in girls' cross country, seventh in boys' swimming and ninth in boys' track and field. They also reached the regional final in girls' basketball.
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Results are in. Miami Springs baseball standout voted Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week
Miami Springs baseball player Magdiel Estevez is the Miami Herald's High School Athlete of the Week, as voted on by readers in our weekly poll. The senior allowed just one run on two hits and four walks over seven innings (complete game), while striking out six including the final three batters as the Golden Hawks (28-3) edged Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 2-1 to win the Class 3A state championship. It marked the school's first state title in baseball. Meagan Villazon, Doral Academy softball; Kathleen Serig, Gulliver Prep water polo; Isabella Benton, Plantation American Heritage softball; Dane Fox, Westminster Academy water polo; Ava Stevens, Somerset Silver Palms softball; and RJ Machado, Plantation American Heritage baseball rounded out the nominees.
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Poll: Who should be the Miami Herald's High School Athlete of the Week? (May 26)
South Florida's top athletes were recognized recently in the sports of baseball, boys' volleyball and softball. in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. This week, we continue a feature where we ask you to vote for the best performer of the week from baseball, softball and water polo Take our poll below to cast your vote. The poll will be open until Thursday, May 29, around 10 p.m. You may vote as often as you like until then. Here are the candidates: NOTE: You should see a Miami Herald box underneath this note for you to type Yes and click Submit. That will ignite the actual poll to vote. ▪ Isabella Benton, Plantation American Heritage softball: the freshman went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, a sacrifice, two runs and seven RBI as the Patriots (23-3) defeated Osceola 15-0 in an FHSAA Class 4A state semifinal. In the finals, Benton was 1-for-4 with an RBI, but Fort Walton Beach won 7-6. ▪ Magdiel Estevez, Miami Springs baseball: the senior allowed just one run on two hits and four walks over seven innings (complete game), while striking out six including the final three batters as the Golden Hawks (28-3) edged Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 2-1 to win the Class 3A state championship. It marked the school's first state title in any sport since 1988. ▪ Dane Fox, Westminster Academy water polo: the junior was voted Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Water Polo for the state as he greatly helped the Lions (24-2) win state. He scored the overtime goal in an 11-10 state semifinal win over Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and added two goals in his team's 11-10 title-match victory over Miami Hialeah Mater Lakes Academy. For the season, he had 103 goals with 51 assists and 39 steals. ▪ RJ Machado, Plantation American Heritage baseball: the senior was 1-for-3 with a double and scored the winner in walk-off fashion as the Patriots edged Panama City Beach Arnold 3-2 in the eight innings in the 4A state semifinal. Then in the state championship game victory, he went 2-for-3 with an RBI to help lift the Patriots (29-6) over Mulberry 6-1. ▪ Kathleen Serig, Gulliver Prep water polo: the senior was voted the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Water Polo for Florida. She helped lead the Raiders (27-1) to the state championship. She had 84 goals while adding 36 assists and 64 steals in this her fourth varsity season. ▪ Ava Stevens, Somerset Silver Palms softball: the sophomore pitcher won both games and also batted well as the Stallions (24-6) won their first state title. In the finals, she allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk and struck out two in a 12-2, five inning victory. She hit 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI. In a 9-2 state semifinal win over Dunedin, she allowed two runs on four hits and no walks, while striking out seven for the complete game, seven inning effort. At the plate, she walked, scored and sacrificed. ▪ Meagan Villazon, Doral Academy softball: the senior pitcher not only pitched a 1-hit shutout in the 6A state championship win over Pace, but she also drove in the winning run with an RBI single in the fifth for the 1-0 victory. She was 1-for-2 with a walk and that RBI. That marked the second state championship for the Firebirds (31-1). Villazon walked five and struck out seven in the complete game victory. In the state semifinal, she went the distance, including an extra inning, as the Firebirds edged Valrico Bloomingdale 5-4 in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the eighth. She allowed four runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out five, and batted 1-for-4 with a key RBI.
Miami Herald
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
State honors for American Heritage soccer coach. Doral baseball 2nd at big event. Plus lacrosse and softball
Cindy Marcial of the Plantation American Heritage girls' soccer team won the Florida Dairy Farmers State Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year award (of all classifications) as voted by a panel of the state's girls' soccer coaches and preps media. She is the first girls' soccer coach with a South Florida team (Broward and Miami-Dade counties) to win that honor, since Coach Everton Edwards of Miami Gulliver Prep in 2011 and first with a Broward team since Coach Laura Rountree of Parkland Stoneman Douglas in 2006. Marcial, who prior was named the state's Class 4A Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year, guided Plantation American Heritage to a 19-1 record and its third consecutive state championship (5A titles in 2023 and 2024). Marcial's squad was ranked No.1 in Florida and No.1 in the nation via MaxPreps. In 14 years at American Heritage, Marcial's teams have won eight state championships (2013-16, 2019, 2023-25) and compiled a 261-31-10 record. In the final voting for Florida's overall girls' soccer coach of the year, Marcial received six first-place votes and 101 points to finish ahead of Class 6A Coach of the Year Jen Rodriguez of Bartram Trail (86) and Class 5A Coach of the Year Dave Silverberg of Ponte Vedra (80). Class 2A COY Hillary Carney of The Benjamin School (63) finished fourth followed by Class 1A COY Mike Pickett of St. Johns Country Day (61), Class 7A COY Chistian Eissele of Lake Mary (37) and Class 3A COY Oscar Narvaez of Somerset-Canyons (34). On the player side, Giovanna Waksman from The Pine School was voted the Florida Dairy Farmers 2025 Miss Soccer. Class 4A Player of the Year Courtney Caruso of state champion Plantation American Heritage was seventh in the voting. The Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers commitment to the state's youth. This is the 33rd year of these awards as they honor the state's top athletes and coaches in all FHSAA sanctioned sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan. Baseball The Doral Academy baseball team finished second at the prestigious IMG Academy National Spring Break Classic in Bradenton. The Firebirds (17-3-1) went 3-1 in the 12-team tournament, spanning four days. They beat Florida Palmetto 13-1, Illinois St. Laurence 6-0 and North Carolina TC Roberson 6-2 to reach the finals. TC Roberson was ranked 27th in the country by Perfect Game. Doral ran out of pitching, and IMG Academy won the championship 15-3. Three players from Doral Academy earned special recognition. Marcelo Rodriguez was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher, and teammates Leandro Hernandez and Gabriel Milano made the All-Tournament team. The tournament featured teams from Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina and Washington D.C. Doral Academy 13, Palmetto 1: Dylan Prince 1-3, HR, 3 RBI; Bryan Mesa 1-2, 2 RBI; Tyler Rodriguez 1-2, RBI; Winning Pitcher Matthew Paez 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K. Dor 15-2-1. Doral Academy 6, Illinois St. Laurence 0: Gabriel Milano 3-3, 2 RBI; Caleb Hernandez 3-3, 2 RBI; George Pardo 1-2, 2 RBI; Winning Pitcher Aaron Elissalt 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 K. Dor 16-2-1. Doral Academy 6, North Carolina TC Roberson 2: Leandro Hernandez 1-3, 3 RBI; Jadyn Nunez 1-2, RBI; George Pardo 1-2, 2 R; Marcelo Rodriguez 5 IP, 7 K; Winning Pitcher Jadyn Nunez 2 IP, 2 K. Dor 17-2-1. IMG Academy 15, Doral Academy 3: Gabriel Milano 2-2, 2 HR, 3 RBI; Tyler Rodriguez 1-2, 2B, R; Kobe Carrion 1-2, George Pardon 1-2. Dor 17-3-1. Softball The Westminster Christian softball team traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama during Spring Break for the Gulf Shores Classic III High School Softball Tournament. The Warriors (7-6) finished 2-2. Westminster Christian beat Alabama Hatton 8-0 and Ohio Marysville 7-4. The Warriors lost to Alabama Jasper 6-5 and Alabama Central 4-2. Westminster Christian 8, Alabama Hatton 0: Erin Perez 3 H, 2 R; Mya Rodgers 3 H, RBI; Jasmine Armenteros 2 H, 4 RBI; Abi Barboza 2 H, RBI; Kaley Dyer H, R. Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB 1, K 2; P Mya Rodgers 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K. WC 6-4. Alabama Jasper 6, Westminster Christian 5: Kelsie Kenney H, Grand Slam HR, 4 RBI; Casey Lesman 2 H, R; Kaley Dyer 2 H, RBI; Erin Perez 2 H; Mya Rodgers H, R. WC 6-5. Alabama Central 4, Westminster Christian 2: Mya Rodgers 3 H, RBI; Gaby Perez H, RBI; Erin Perez H, 2 R; Gigi Khoury H; Kaley Dyer H, BB; Jasmine Armenteros H. WC 6-6. Westminster Christian 7, Ohio Marysville 4: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 4 IP, 4 R, 6 H 2 BB, 4 K; Elise La Rosa 3 H, 3 RBI; Abi Barboza 2 H; Jasmine Armenteros 2 H, R; Casey Lesman 2 H, 2 R; Gigi Khoury H, HR, RBI; Erin Perez H, RBI; Mya Rodgers H. WC 7-6. More softball Carrollton 11, Lourdes 4: Winning Pitcher Madelyn Althage (5-3); Sylvia Figueroa 3-3, 2B, RBI; Allyson Wolfson 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Grace Diez 2-5, 2B, 3B, RBI. Carr 5-3. Carrollton 11, LaSalle 0: Winning Pitcher Madelyn Althage (6-3) 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K; Allyson Wolfson 2-3, 2B; Isabella Whitby 1-1, RBI; Emma Althage 1-1, 2 RBI. Carr 6-3. Carrollton 11, Marathon 4: Winning Pitcher Madelyn Althage (7-3); Emma Althage 2-4, 4 RBI; Grace Diez 2-5, 2 RBI; Amalia Neff: 2-4. Carr 7-3. Lacrosse The Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy girls' lacrosse team defeated Key West 18-6. Senior Carson Kroll had 10 goals and 1 assist for the Mavericks (6-10). Freshman Ava Valdivieso added 4 goals and 8 groundballs, and Eva Andrade had 2 goals and 1 assist. Julia Ayers-Golik scored, and Gaby Laffler had 1 goal and 1 assist. Blaire Gordon recorded 3 groundballs. Goaltender Josephine Mens made 4 saves. For Key West (5-7), Deanna Mercier had 3 goals and 1 assist, and teammate Kaitlyn Piloto totaled 2 goals and 1 assist. Archbishop McCarthy (6-11) ended the regular season with a 20-9 defeat to Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest (9-5). Valdivieso closed her first high school regular season with 139 draw controls, 51 goals, 19 assists, 111 ground balls, and 29 caused turnovers. Senior Carson Kroll finished her last regular high school season with 82 goals, 27 assists, 14 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers and 38 draw controls. Senior Hayden Hughes was an impact player, completing the regular season with 26 goals, 2 assists, 14 ground balls, 5 caused turnovers and 63 draw controls. Send high school sports results For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@ They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online. --- Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@
Miami Herald
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
American Heritage's Toney is the Broward 4A-1A Football Offensive Player of the Year
Malachi Toney was already putting together one of the great seasons in Plantation American Heritage's storied history when Dia Bell went down with an injury in the second half of the Patriots' second-round postseason game against Dillard. From there, Toney's season became truly special. With Bell out for the season, Toney, one of the best wide receivers in the state, took over at quarterback and the Patriots won their first state championship since 2020. After pulling double duty for one of the best teams in the country, Toney's is the Miami Herald's Broward County Offensive Player of the Year for Classes 4A-1A. As a receiver, Toney caught 58 passes for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a quarterback, he went 38 of 53 for 524 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. The senior also ran 34 times for 224 yards and three more touchdowns. For his spectacular season, Toney won the MaxPreps Player of the Year award for Florida and the Nat Moore Trophy as the top player in South Florida. He's a four-star wide receiver, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and is staying close to home to play at Miami next season. In the end, the 5-foot-11, 182-pound athlete scored redemption after a dropped pass in near the end of a state-championship loss to Miami Central in 2022 effectively dashed American Heritage's hopes. Back in the state title for the first time since, Toney completed his first 15 passes, and finished 15 of 18 for 188 yards and one touchdown, and ran for another, to win a 40-31 shootout with Orlando Jones. 'It's fitting how we ended this thing,' Heritage coach Mike Smith said after the win. 'The adversity that kid battled through. He put the ball on the ground on the 28-yard line against Central two years ago and cried like a baby. For him to come back and do this, you can't make this up. Hollywood couldn't have written this ending better.' The state-title performance wasn't even Toney's best at quarterback. In the second round, Toney didn't play until Bell got hurt early in the third quarterback because he was nursing his own injury. After Bell went down, Toney stepped in with the Patriots down by two scores, immediately threw a touchdown pass and led American Heritage to a season-saving come-from-behind victory. An already great season was on its way to being a truly special one. 'It was really nothing. I'm a football player and I'm here to do whatever my team needs me to do,' Toney said after the state championship. 'It feels great. After that fumble, everyone counted me out and said I wouldn't be back. Now look at me. I led my team to a state title at quarterback.'
