HOLLYWOOD — Chaminade-Madonna was the site Monday for Day 2 of the 25th annual MLK Basketball Classic. Here are the top 5 Takeaways from the eight games:
CALVARY RUNS PAST DORAL IN GAME OF DAY
You knew Calvary Christian-Doral Academy was going to be a good one when it was 23-all after one quarter. In the end, Calvary’s depth proved to be the difference in a hard-fought, 81-73 victory.
Cilk McSweeney has developed an eight-man rotation that was impressive. Monday, he brought seniors LD Variance and Matt Khoury, along with freshman Carl Cherenfant, off the bench. Calvary, of Fort Lauderdale, held a 45-40 lead at the half but it was in the third quarter that the Eagles hit Doral with wave after wave of pressure. Calvary outscored Doral 22-9 the first 6 minutes of the third quarter to grab a 67-49 advantage and take control. 6-foot-7 sophomore Gregg Glenn and 2021 point guard Noah Tovar (pictured) scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, to lead the way. Cherenfant added 11.
“There’s definitely a lot to improve on but over this last week we had to play against a bunch of tough teams,” said Tovar, who is getting looks from Jacksonville University and IUPUI. “[There’s] more tough teams coming forward — it’s all for states.”
Calvary (12-6) has scored 91, 79 and 81 points in its last three games — victories over Pine Crest, Westminster Academy and Doral.
Doral Division I prospect Devin Carter went for 34 points — including five long 3-pointers. Early in the third quarter he appeared to have his shoulder pop out and was in quite a bit of pain. But he stayed in the game.
“He’s good,” Tovar said of Carter. “He can shoot it, put it on the floor, go to the basket, great handling the rock. He is definitely a tough player to guard.” 6-7 freshman Justin Johnson added 18 points for the Firebirds. The loss breaks a nine-game win streak for Doral (12-3).
SOPHOMORE RENEAU NETS DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Highly-touted 6-7 sophomore Malik Reneau posted a double-double (22 points, 12 rebounds) in Mater Academy’s 67-64 come-from-behind victory over Boca St. Andrew’s.
The Lions trailed 18-12 after one and 40-35 at the half, but rallied in the second half. Junior guard Ryan Sanchez, who finished with 16 points, made 10 of 4 free throws including 2 of 4 in final 5.3 seconds. Michael Bradley — a 5-7 freshman guard — canned four 3-pointers on the way to 15 points for Mater (14-4). 6-3 junior guard Devin Hines led St. Andrew’s (13-5) with 23 points. 2021 Josh Minott contributed 15 points.
LYNN UNIVERSITY RECRUIT GOES FOR 33
Miami Coral Park 6-1 senior guard Ga’khari Lacount — a Lynn University signee — poured in 33 points in a 55-53 victory over Park Vista. The Rams (16-4) led big early, 27-13 after one, but had to hold on late for their ninth consecutive victory. PV’s 6-3 senior guard Erik Pratt (16 points) picked up Western Oklahoma State and ASA Miami offers. …
Miami High 6-5 2021 Justin Neely put up a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) in the Stingarees’ 58-46 victory over Coral Springs.
ST. JOHN’S COMING TO SEE WEIR
St. John’s will be in on Friday to see Chaminade-Madonna 6-9 2020 post Andre Weir. Weir & Co. defeated North Miami, 66-56. American University 6-8 recruit Johnny O’Neil led the Lions with 27 points. Four-star 2021 football recruit Thaddius Franklin is back playing basketball for coach Andre Torres. Franklin gives Chaminade guard depth. North Miami kept it close despite not having talented 6-6 senior guard Carlos Hart (ankle injury). 2020 Vee’lesk Avin knocked in 26 points. …
Freshman Anthony Floyd popped in 19 points to lead Mater Lakes past Jupiter. Senior guard Kyle Feldman scored 24 for Jupiter, which was without 6-8 2020 Josh Glesil and 6-4 2020 Vernarius Johnson due to injury. … Senior Josh Cecol led Belen past Dade Christian.
COLLEGE COACHES SCOUTING
Among the college head coaches at the event: Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May; Lynn University’s Jeff Price; and ASA Miami’s Jean Dubuisson.
Assistants here included Kyle Church, FAU; Dan Bere, Jacksonville; Darryl Stinson, Lynn University; D.J. Jenkins, Eastern Florida State; Justin Cardoza, St. Thomas University; Zach Moss, Ave Maria; and Mike Bradley, Barry University.
MONDAY’S SCORES
Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 63, Miami Northwestern 50
Mater Lakes 68, Jupiter 61
Miami Belen 60, Dade Christian 47
Miami Coral Park 55, Lake Worth Park Vista 53
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 81, Doral Academy 73
Miami High 58, Coral Springs 46
Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy 67, Boca St. Andrew’s 64
Chaminade-Madonna 66, North Miami 56
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer at PatALammer@Gmail.com