By Gary Curreri

The last time Deerfield Beach won a state title it defeated Blanche Ely in the 1999 championship game. Now, both teams, in different classes, have the same aspirations.

Blanche Ely, the defending Class 7A champion and top ranked team in the state, survived a scare and held on for a double overtime, 85-79 victory over visiting Palm Beach Lakes to advance to Lakeland for the state semifinals this week.

The Tigers are hopeful of becoming just the third team from Broward County to win back-to-back state championships on Saturday night.

Marcus Owens scored 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, while Joshua Huntley added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks (28-4), who will play the state’s fifth ranked Hagerty (Oviedo) squad in the state semifinal on March 1. It is the Bucks first trip to Lakeland since 1999 when it last won the state title.

Deerfield Beach coach Kenny Brown said the team learned a lot in its two losses to Blanche Ely down the stretch. Blanche Ely handed Deerfield Beach its only two losses in its past 10 years.

“Those losses taught us we have to play 32 minutes of Bucks basketball,” Brown said. “We learned that we had to come out and play tougher and play hard. This is a different team now. I know that defense wins championships, but I am an offensive guy and we work on shooting.” Blanche Ely needed to work overtime to punch its ticket to the state tournament in Lakeland – double overtime actually. The Tigers (25-1) will face Bartow in the Class 7A state semifinals next week at the Lakeland Center.

Richard Lee led the Tigers, who are ranked No. 18 in USA Today’s Super 25 national poll, in scoring with 22 points. Lance Tejada and Dallas Cameron scored 19 and 20 points, respectively, as Blanche Ely rallied from a 63-58 deficit with a little more than two minutes remaining. Khalil Thomas finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks as the Tigers outscored Palm Beach Lakes, 11-2, in the second overtime.

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach High boys’ basketball coach Kenny Brown believes this could be the best team he has had in his five years at the school.

“I think this year’s team compares favorably to the teams we’ve had in the past,” said Brown, whose team defeated Cypress Bay, 54-34, behind Marcus Owens’ game-high 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals in the regional semifinal on Tuesday night. “I think this year’s team is deeper. We have a sense of urgency because these guys are seniors. Many of them have been on varsity for all four years. It’s been a long time coming. They deserve what they can get.”

The Bucks (27-4) are the top-ranked Class 8A team in the state and are hoping to reach the state final four. The team lost in the regional final last year to Spanish River, 67-61. Until then, Deerfield Beach hadn’t reached the state series since 2004.

“It hurt immensely,” said Brown, whose team will host Jupiter on Saturday night in the regional final. “It hurt a lot, but at the same time, we used it as a learning experience of what it takes to get to where we want to get to. We know this is a small stepping stone to where we are trying to get. I can always reference back to last year and say if you don’t like that feeling, make sure you do everything you need to do.”

The Bucks are hopeful of winning a state title they first won in 1997.

They won again in 1999 under then coach Melvin Randall, who now coaches at Blanche Ely and led the Tigers to the Class 7A championship last season.

Two of Deerfield Beach’s four losses this season were to Blanche Ely, another was a loss to Sagemont and the fourth was a 5-point defeat to Ballard (KY) in the Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament in Ocala.

“This is fun, but we want more,” said senior guard Terence Johnson, who leads the team with 17.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. “We want the state championship. The seniors know this is our last year so we are more hungry because we want to go out on top. There isn’t really any pressure. We know we are the favorites and we don’t want to let anybody down, especially ourselves so we are going to try and win it all.”

The Bucks have also received solid performances this season from senior guard Owens (16.1 points, 6.2 RB), senior center/ power forward Joshua Huntley (7.2 points, 7.8 RB), junior guard Vanderbilt Carpenter (9.4 points, 6.1 assists) and senior small forward Javaris Jenkins (9.4 points, 7.3 RB).

“I think we are good enough to be a state championship team,” Owens said. “We just have to play hard and have no let ups. We have to play 32 minutes of Bucks basketball.”

Brown said playing a team like Blanche Ely this season is a benefit.

“Those games definitely helped us down the road,” Brown said. “The competition level … the intensity … the amount of focus you need the entire game. There was no let up.”

Brown smiled when asked if they could win a state championship. “Stay tuned!” he said.

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy’s boys and girls’ elementary school teams swept through the South Atlantic Coast Conference (SACC) and captured the championships in their respective divisions. Sydney Blackburn scored eight points for the Knights, who defeated Zion Lutheran in the championship game, 22- 14, and finished the year with a record of 4-3.

Jason Thomforhde scored 15, while Ben Middlebrooks added 13 for Highlands Christian Academy, which defeated Coral Springs Christian in the championship game, 45-35. The Knights defeated Zion Lutheran in the semifinal, 33- 16, to advance to the final. Highlands Christian finished the season at 11-2.

The South Atlantic Coast Conference is composed of six teams – including Highlands Christian, Zion Lutheran, Coral Springs Christian, Sheridan Hills Christian, Hollywood Christian and Westminster Academy. Not all these teams had elementary programs, but may have junior high or junior varsity divisions.

Highlands Christian Academy offers several elementary sports for the fourth and fifth graders.

In the fall, there is an elementary volleyball team and elementary soccer team. Highlands Christian also won the volleyball and soccer championships back in October.

“In the winter, we have elementary basketball for the girls and then also the boys,” said Jim Good, who is the Highlands Christian Academy Athletic Director and Boys Varsity Basketball coach. “I’m so glad to be a part of a school that supports us having an elementary athletic program. It gives the kids the opportunity to compete against other schools and enjoy all the benefits that team sports have to offer.”

By Gary Curreri

Caitlin Huiting has her sights on taking her golfing career to a whole new level.

Whether it is on the LPGA tour or at a golf course, there is little doubt she can accomplish what she wants to.

“I want to be a pro golfer,” said Huiting, who spent her senior high school season playing for the boys’ golf team at Zion Christian Lutheran School in Deerfield Beach. “Either that or a teacher on a big golf course somewhere.”

When it came time for districts, she teed it up with the girls and finished third with an 82 in the District 7-1A competition and advanced to regionals. She duplicated her score at regionals, but didn’t advance to state. She is the first girls’ golfer at her school.

Huiting, 18, enjoyed competing against the boys. Her school team was composed of seven middle school and high school boys as teammates and Huiting said the biggest challenge was driving the ball and how she was a little shorter off the tee in some cases. She made up for it with a stellar short game.

“It was fun playing high school golf against the boys,” said Huiting, who was one of 91 female golfers from around the United States, as well as from China and Finland, that competed in the recent Dixie Amateur Women’s Golf Tournament at the Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs. “I was a great experience, and I enjoyed it a lot actually. It was a lot different than playing with girls.”

Huiting doesn’t practice golf that often, and tries to play one tournament a month. The Dixie Amateur was a step up for Huiting as she took on some of the top amateur golfers in the world.

Huiting opened with an 88, but finished 79-73 for a 240 total and narrowly missed the cut for the final round. Huiting is headed to Seminole State College on a full ride scholarship to play golf next season.

“I am a little surprised that I have done as well as I have without playing that much,” said Huiting, who plans to play in the Future Collegians World Tour at Inverarry Country Club on Feb. 9. “I work really hard for it when I do practice. Taking time off just helps me to recuperate and do better the next time.”

Huiting said she likes golf because of the nature of the game.

“I like the respect that it has,” Huiting said. “Everybody who is around golf is just very respectful. It kind of makes you grow up more. Being around all of the older people is so nice. They are always so courteous and everything. I enjoy it.”

She is also an all-around athlete having played volleyball and softball all four years. She was also a member of the school’s girls’ soccer team and scored twice for the Lions including a penalty kick in a 2-1 (2-1 PKs) shootout win over Highlands Christian in the District 13-1A tournament. The team went on to lose to Yeshiva, 5-0, in the semifinals and finished the year 5-10-1.

By Gary Curreri

Greg Norman hit the ceremonial tee shot off the first tee of Pompano Beach’s Pines Golf Course last week. It signified completion of his first ever Signature Golf Course for a municipality.

The Pines Course has been closed since April 2012. The course is one of two owned by the city of Pompano Beach, and the first municipal course revamped by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.

Norman, who has won 80 professional events, including 20 U.S. PGA Tour titles in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, said he got his start playing on a municipal course.

“I have been hearing some great reviews and the test of time is still ahead of us,” Norman said. “I am sure everybody is going to enjoy the course. It’s a significant day. We wanted to come in here and make sure that the people would be able to play and keep it affordable. Some of the holes are designed where the ball will gravitate toward the hole depending on the pin placements.”

Norman has designed or redesigned 12 courses in Florida and 84 overall around the world since 1987, including Dubai, Australia and South Africa. Two years ago, the city put out the redesign for bid and the process culminated last Wednesday with the official opening. The course has been open since Jan. 1 for play.

“We took a pig’s ear and turned it into a silk purse,” Norman said. “The important factor is that the city of Pompano absolutely loves it and, hopefully, they will see an increase in rounds.” The new course, which is next to the other municipal course, the Palms, features new Celebration Bermuda turf and irrigation, improvements that should keep the course playable and keep maintenance costs down. It is estimated that there are 94,000 rounds played on the two courses annually.

“This course will definitely be a destination, not only for the residents, but also for attracting tourists from around the world, which means an economic engine for our city,” said Pompano Mayor Lamar Fisher. “The course will be affordable in relation to its quality, complimenting a full service of facilities.”

Commissioner Charlotte Burrie called the day “a beautiful day in paradise.” She becomes a 50-year resident on Feb. 4. She said she played the courses when she younger “and all of the body parts worked.”

“I have never seen the Pines Course any more beautiful than it is right now,” Burrie said. “With a vision of ‘build it and they will come,’ it is beautiful. We have already seen an increase in play and we have received all favorable comments.”

Pompano Beach Golf Pro Bob Loring, who has been the head pro for the past 11 years, said he has already seen an increase in members.

“We have a Greg Norman Signature Golf Course that is close to the beach,” Loring said. “What a great combination for the city of Pompano Beach.”

Loring also shared with the audience how there was a concern about the placement of a cart path and, within a day, in the pouring rain, they moved the path from one side of the fairway to the other. He said the course has the “what” factor.

“Before, when golfers would come in after their round, I would say, ‘what’s the matter?’” said Loring, of the redesign that cost about $4 million. “Now when they come in, they say, ‘what a golf course!’ The Pines course is what you achieve when you combine a city with a vision and a visionary golf course architect.”

By Gary Curreri

Melvin Randall believes his Blanche Ely High School boys basketball team could be the most talented he has ever had at the school.

“They can be better than last year’s team,” said Randall, whose team is the defending Class 7A champions after defeating Oak Ridge, 78-46, in last year’s state championship game. “They show little spurts of it. They have to be consistent. On paper, we have five Division 1 players on this team, but they have to play like it night in and night out. They can run the table and they can be better than last year’s team. I have to keep pushing them and motivating them.”

The host Tigers (15-1) got a game-high 27 points from senior guard Darrion Allen as it defeated Deerfield Beach, 72-60, at home before a standing-room only crowd.

Deerfield Beach (21-3) was led by forward Marcus Owens, who scored 18 points, including 10 in the first quarter as the Bucks stormed out to a 15-5 lead to start the game. Khalil Thomas scored 18 points for the Tigers and Richard Lee added nine points. Vanderbilt Carpenter tallied 16 points for the Bucks.

Getting off to slow starts in games this year has been a problem for Randall and his Tigers.

“We work so hard and they are taught and they know against any team, whether it is a strong team or the less fortunate teams, we are going to have a target on our backs, that teams are going to get up to play Ely because of the success we had last year,” said Randall, who graduated five from last year’s team. “Two were off and on starters, and we added a couple of guys (Lee, transfer from Northeast, and Lance Tejada, a Miramar transfer) who are pretty good.”

Randall said it has been a work in progress. He said he’s been trying to get everyone on the same page because of the pressing style that they like to play.

“It’s different,” Randall said. “It is like another country to them and they are beginning to understand and it is going to take some time. I gave them an expiration date in the middle of January where everybody should be on the same page. They come from a different style and a different philosophy on playing defense. We play an uptempo pressing defense rather than sitting back in a 2-3 zone.”

Senior Dallas Cameron, who committed to American University one week after his 18th birthday in September, said it has been a difficult transition.

“It is really tough to put everything together,” said the 6’ 3”, 175 lb. guard. “The team we had last year had been together for 2 to 3 years, so everyone was committed. That’s why we had so much success last year. This year, with new people coming in, they have to learn the system and defense. They have to learn the system quicker.

“We are getting there,” Cameron said. “We still have a long ways to go. We have come out flat in a lot of games. We have to pick it up because that is going to catch up to us.”

Cameron said it would be huge to win another state title.

“Nobody in Ely history has ever won back-to-back championships,” Cameron said. “There have only been three state championships in Ely history. To go back-to-back would be huge.”

By Scott Morganroth

Former FAU QB Rusty Smith was the first Owls player ever selected in the NFL Draft being chosen in the sixth round, 176 overall, by the Tennessee Titans in 2010, but he hasn’t played the best.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected tight-end Rob Housler in the third round, 69th overall, and he was the team’s fourth leading receiver with 45 catches for 417 yards this season.

The best player ever drafted from FAU was running back Alfred Morris. There have only been three Owls picked in the NFL Draft. But Morris, who turned 24 on Dec. 12, had a monster rookie season playing in the same backfield as Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. He rushed for 1,613 yards, with a 4.8 average and 13 touchdowns. He was second in the league in rushing. Morris broke the Redskins single season rushing record previously held by former Miami Hurricane Clinton Portis, who had 1,516 yards. He broke Charley Taylor’s rookie season touchdown total of 10.

In the Redskins final regular season game, a 28-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys that gave Washington its first NFC East title since 1999, all Morris did was amass 33 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns. It was Washington’s first playoff appearance since 2007. Not bad for a guy who was a sixth round pick, 173 overall, who Washington selected in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on July 27, 2011 for Donovan McNabb. Morris became the fourth player in NFL History to ever record over 1,600 yards rushing in his rookie year. It’s safe to say that Redskins Owner Dan Snyder got a bargain when he signed Morris to a four-year $2.22 million contract with a $154,000 signing bonus on May 6, 2012. Now, McNabb is out of football and is doing radio in Philadelphia. But leave little doubt that with Snyder’s deep pockets of signing veteran free agents which failed to produce, Morris will have a new contract soon enough.

What a difference a year makes. In 2011, Morris was the best player on a 1-11 FAU team. In 2012, he’s put FAU on the map, playing a key role in the Redskins 10-6 season and, as long as he stays healthy, the youngster out of Pensacola, Florida has a bright future ahead of him. The Redskins front office know they have found a hidden gem to build their offense around while FAU can use Morris as a recruiting tool to build its young program.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scott sports33.com.

By Gary Curreri

George Deeb couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Four of the top 50-over softball teams in South Florida came together for competition, camaraderie and charity, and, in the end, everyone was a winner.

“It is fabulously rewarding,” said Deeb, 72, of Ft. Lauderdale, who coordinated the inaugural South Florida Senior Invitational Softball Tournament benefiting Toys for Tots at 4- Fields Complex in Pompano recently.

“The guys in our club are very generous and many of them are fathers and grandfathers and I think most of them expressed a great deal of joy that we were participating,” said Deeb, who plays with the host team, South Florida Senior Softball Association. “The minute we said it was going to be Toys for Tots, they were really excited.”

The four teams that took part in the one-day tournament included the Cushing Softball League team, based at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton; the Latinos, an all-star team with players from The Royal Palm Senior League and West Palm Beach Senior League; Old School Softball, sponsored by Steve Levin Financial Services and is top-level tournament travel team with players from the Tri- County area.

In the semifinals, Steve Levin Financial defeated the Latinos, 19-10, while Cushing Softball League downed the host South Florida Senior Softball Association squad, 16-13, to advance to the title game. Steve Levin Financial prevailed in the championship game with a comefrom- behind 16-14 win over the Cushing All-Stars.

“It worked out perfectly,” Deeb added. “There was no goal. Everybody who participated had to bring a toy. If there were 12 guys on a team, we hoped to get at least 48 toys to come. We filled up a van full. It is unbelievable. It was not just ordinary gifts either. There were a lot of very unique expensive items. A couple of the men in the club are Marines and they are going to bring them to the Marines for distribution.”

Deeb said the event will continue and the winning team earns a trophy that they will hold for a year. He said, more than that, the seniors enjoy playing at a high level.

“I have a double hip replacement and I am out here playing ball every day at 72,” Deeb said. “There are guys out here with knee replacements, c’mon. It’s a delight. These are the best 50 year-olds in South Florida.”

“It is very competitive,” added Deeb, who said they may add a 60s division next year with four additional teams. “A lot of these guys are tournament players. They play in Las Vegas, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia. They are very active players. We asked the very best teams to play. It’s our first year and we wanted to go slow.”

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach High senior Biko Lobban is looking to reach the state wrestling tournament for the first time.

Lobban, 18, of Margate, lost in his last match at regionals last year and narrowly missed qualifying for the state event. “Right now, I want to be state champion,” said Lobban, who will wrestle in the 152lb. division. “I was one match away from going to state last year and it is still with me. I still picture it in my head all of the time. It motivated me a lot for this year.”

“Whether I am at practice, in the gym or on the treadmill working out, I go to practice every day,” Lobban added. “If it is not practice, I am at home refining my skills doing whatever I can do.”

Lobban has been wrestling since his freshman year and knows that a slight mistake on the mat could cost him.

“All of the emotions start pouring in,” Lobban said. “You think, ‘how did I let that happen? I saw that coming, why couldn’t I stop it?’ When time is running out, it can go either way. If you get that pin, it is the best feeling in the world.” Lobban said he likes the challenge the sport presents. He knows that practice makes him better.

“I like that I can get on the mat and actually see my skills getting better and bettering myself,” Lobban said. “I like the one-on-one aspect that the sport provides. When I get on the mat, everything else is blocked out. It is just that person and me. I love wrestling people who are better than me because it helps me better myself. It’s a great feeling.” Being this is his senior year, Lobban said there is a lot of pressure.

“The younger wrestlers, the rookies, are looking up to me, and at the same time, I am refining my skills too.”

Lobban said. “I know I have a lot of competition this year. I have to keep wrestling and try my best.”

Lobban, who is also a member of the Deerfield Beach- BSO PAL wrestling team, said the best feeling is when the referee raises your arm after winning a match.

“It is the greatest feeling when the referee raises my hand,” Lobban said. “You are thinking, ‘wow I actually did it! I did what I had to do to win.’”

Simply soccer coming to town

One week after Santa Claus hit Pompano Beach, Simply Soccer returns to hold a soccer camp from Jan. 2-4, 2013.

Registration is being held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who are taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a Tiny Tot program for kids ages 5 and 6 is from 9 a.m. to noon.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Dept. at 954-786-4119 or 954-786-4111.

Stuart wins President’s Cup

Janet Stuart was recently named the 2012 President’s Cup Champion for the Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association.

Stuart finished with the best two out of three rounds as she carded a low net score of 138.

By Gary Curreri

The Highlands Christian Academy boys’ basketball team had nowhere to go but up after it limped through the worst season in school history last year.

So far so good, as the Knights have already doubled their win total of a year ago. Highlands Christian entered the week at 4- 6 overall, but 0-3 in the difficult District 14-3A standings.

“It took us to January last year to get to two wins and we have two before December, so we were feeling real good,” said Highlands Christian coach Jim Good, who is in his eighth year as head coach and has already improved on last year’s 2-21 mark.

“Last year was frustrating, but going into that year, I knew what was to be expected. We knew going in that we are really a 1A school playing 3A.”

Good said his team graduated eight seniors from the team that won back-to-back district championships in 2010 and 2011.

“Last year, we had no returnees and we were basically a JV team trying to get better and trying to improve and I can honestly say that they are maturing,” said Good, who has three seniors, including two starters this year. It’s coming. It’s a process.”

The Knights opened the season with a preseason victory over Berean Christian and then a victory over Community Christian in the squad’s home opener.

They suffered back-to-back defeats in the 35th annual Highlands Christian Holiday Classic basketball tournament earlier this season.

“We have everybody back from last year,” Good said. “We graduated one senior and have seven returning. It is an inexperienced group and now this is their second year on varsity. We are startinganeighthgrader(Herman Robinson) who still has to mature. He is our point guard and putting things into perspective, heshouldbeonourmiddleschool team. We are just investing six good years in him.”

Good said the team is a tough district with Sagemont, Coral Springs Christian and Westminster Academy. He said the team is looking forward to a “featured game” against Community Christian on Dec. 22 at the American Airlines Arena. Following the game, the Knights will take in a Miami Heat game against the Utah Jazz.

“There is a lot of stuff we have to work on,” Good said. “Maybe the idea will set in that they don’t want to lose. We are going to lose games. You play sports and it is very rare that you go undefeated. I want them to work hard in practice and I want to get better.”

Simply soccer coming to town

One week after Santa Claus hits Pompano Beach, Simply Soccer will return city and hold a soccer camp from Jan. 2-4, 2013. Registration is being held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who are taught a variety of soccer skills, from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., extended hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a Tiny Tot program kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Dept. at 954- 786-4119 or 954-786-4111.