After the boys’ basketball teams from Mater Lakes Academy, Mater Academy and Hialeah Gardens High won their district championships, only one team remains alive in the regional with a trip to the state championships on the line.
Mater Academy (18-5) defeated Cooper City, 79-57, to advance to the regional semifinal to face McArthur (14-15).
McArthur beat Hialeah Miami Lakes, 54-50, to earn the match-up with the Lions.
Mater Lakes Academy (22-8), which won back-to-back district titles and went undefeated in district play for two consecutive seasons, wasn’t so lucky, as the Bears lost to Calvary Christian Academy, 60-50, in the regional quarterfinal.
The Bears’ top players for the season were Cyrus Largie with 20 PPG, Dominic Rivera and Julian Garciawith 12 PPG, and Craif Starks Jr. with 10 PPG and 8 rebounds per game.
“We are extremely excited where our program is headed,” said coach Juan Urbina. “Seventy five percent of our season production and experience will return next season right in time for the grand opening of our new gym.”
Christian Academy (15-12) faces University (29-1) in the semifinal after University, which is ranked No. 2 in the state, defeated Pace, 81-54, to advance to the next round.
Hialeah Gardens High (19-8) lost to Miramar, 85-57 in the first round of the regional tournament, ending the Gladiators’ season.
In girls’ basketball, Pace lost to Cardinal Gibbons, (47-34) in the regional quarterfinal, ending the Spartans’ season.
Pace (15-6, 4-0)) defeated Edison, 58-48, to win the 15-4A District Championship to advance to the regional.
In the Edison-Pace playoff game, the Spartans had four players with double figures.
Gianni Lomond led the Spartans with 17 points and Chaela Cumbermack added 13, while Andrea Daley scored 12 and Tamayah Troup-Bishop recorded 11 points.