5 Takeaways: 2019 GMAC Tournament semifinals
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It will be North Miami versus South Miami for the 2019 GMAC Tournament championship on Thursday. North Miami took down Coral Gables, 63-51, Tuesday in the first semifinal before South Miami blew away host Miami Palmetto, 60-38. Here are 5…
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Continue ReadingIt will be North Miami versus South Miami for the 2019 GMAC Tournament championship on Thursday.
North Miami took down Coral Gables, 63-51, Tuesday in the first semifinal before South Miami blew away host Miami Palmetto, 60-38.
Here are 5 Takeaways from Pinecrest:
Cobras make statement
South Miami turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and Toru Dean and Co. ran Palmetto out of its own gym. The Cobras (16-5) turned a 25-18 game at the half into a 45-28 blowout by the end of the third quarter and went on to lead by as many as 23. South Miami’s guards Toru Dean (2019), Arturo Dean (2021) and Keandre Hill (2019) caused havoc with their quick hands on defense and problems with their handle on offense.
Barry U. lands jewel
Barry University is getting a productive player in Toru Dean. I liked the 6-foot-1 guard while with Team AutoNation on the travel circuit and Dean continues to grow. Dean, who was first-team All-State last year as a junior, is quick, quick, quick and handles the ball like it is on a string. Tuesday, he shot 9 of 18 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 23 points. 6-6 senior forward Lee Flenor had 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and a boatload of rebounds.
Hit by a truck
Palmetto started out well enough, grabbing a 9-3 lead early. But the doors just came off on the Panthers. Palmetto was held to 25 points over the final three quarters.
2020 Kentron Poitier led the Panthers with 10 points but even he was 4 for 14 from the field and and 1 for 3 at the free-throw line. 6-6 senior Josmel Martinez was held scoreless in the second half and came out of the game mumbling in the fourth period, obviously frustrated.
With 2:47 remaining, coach Marcos Molina emptied his bench after the Panthers allowed uncontested layups. Palmetto drops to 17-6.
Charles paces North Miami
Senior sharpshooter Richard Charles led three players in double figures with 16 points in North Miami’s victory. Charles hit 4 of 11 shots from the field, including two 3-pointers, and made all 6 of his free throws in the second half. Anthony Bazan (2019) added 15 points and Carlos Hart (2020) had 12.
North Miami struggled to shake Coral Gables. The Pioneers led 14-9 after one, 28-24 at the half and 43-38 going to the fourth. Gables made it a one-shot game, 43-40, with 6:57 remaining on a field goal from Troy Davis, but that would be as close as the Cavaliers would get.
More work to be done
North Miami coach Raynald Benoit admitted there were lapses. Benoit said his defense wasn’t as tight as he would like it to be.
“We can get better,” Benoit said. “We are so much better than we are showing right now. And I want to get us back there. But we played a lot of games, been battle-tested. I think we are ready to finish out the district and everything else.”
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.