For the past decade, Ocean Bank in Miami Lakes has been the top donor to boys and girls basketball program that is run by the Optimist Club in Miami Lakes. This year, the bank presented $500 to the group. The money allowed it to buy uniforms and equipment for athletes.  The program is in its 45th season, according to Jim Hamilton, a member of the Optimists and the group’s basketball commissioner. Adolfo J....

Mater Lakes Academy seventh grade golfer Gia Culler-Guerra finished 7th at the state high school championships at Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. during the first week of November. Gia shot a 75 and 79 to finish in the top 10, golf coach Eddie Escribano said. Gia’s the first golf student from Mater Lakes Academy to play in the state contest. Escribano said he was impressed with the 12-year-old’s performance on the links. Her...

Mater Academy High will retire the jersey of Emily Acosta, a basketball player who died in a car crash on Feb. 20 near Ave Maria University in Collier County, where she was enrolled. Acosta’s family, friends and former teammates will be on hand for the Lady Lions’ season opener at home against Doral Academy on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The school is at 7700 N.W. 98 St.   Before the game, Acosta’s No. 22 jersey will...

Opponents faced strong competition against students from Miami Lakes and area schools who competed in recent chess matches.Our Lady of the Lakes entered 27 students in the 2019 National Chess DayScholastic Tournament at Hialeah Gardens Senior High School on Oct. 12.The national, rated tournament brought together teams from private and public schools in Florida. It went five rounds during eight hours of play.Third place winners were second...

Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High’s Jocelyn Ruiz captured her fourth consecutive Class 2A District 12 championship Oct. 23 in the 100-yard butterfly and was a runner-up in the 100-yard back stroke. Coach Frank Rocha said of Ruiz, a senior, “It’s been a privileged coaching her for four years. I’m proud of her accomplishments. I’m definitely going to miss her when she graduates.” Photo: HML, courtesy. -- David Snelling