It was more passion than precision, more enthusiasm than efficiency.
The Belen Wolverines and Columbus Explorers, two all-boys Catholic schools, moved their spirited rivalry from West Dade to Coral Gables, playing Friday night’s basketball game at the BankUnited Center, home of the Miami Hurricanes.
And even though the evenly split crowd of about 4,000 was larger and louder than many that have come to see the Canes over the years, Columbus’ 39-37 win over Belen was not an artistic success — at least not on offense.
“It was a really low-scoring game — the big arena had a huge effect,” said guard Andy Byrne, who was able to score a team-high nine points, all on three-pointers, for Columbus (12-8).
Belen, which fell to 11-10, had a chance to win, trailing 38-37 with less than five seconds to play.
But a jumper by Alfredo Consuegra teased Belen fans before rolling off into the hands of a Columbus player.
“If that ball goes in, that would have been game over,” Byrne said. “One of the biggest things we preach is diving for every loose ball. We did a good job of getting that rebound.”
Belen coach Jose Roca said his team got the look it wanted with the ball in the hands of Consuegra, who had a game-high 13 points.
“The shot just did not fall,” Roca said.
This is the third consecutive year the teams have played each other at the BankUnited Center, with Columbus winning twice.
But both teams came out tight. The first half featured a combined total of just nine field goals.
The Wolverines didn’t get their first field goal until 1:47 remained in the first quarter. That basket, a layup by Christian Silva, cut Columbus’ lead to 6-3, and the Explorers held on to an 8-6 lead after the first quarter.
Belen went into halftime tied 14-14 thanks to a last-minute three-pointer by Consuegra.
Byrne’s three-pointer gave Columbus a 34-27 lead, capping an 11-2 fourth-quarter run, and the Explorers held on in the final four minutes.
“This was fantastic,” Roca said of the environment. “This is what the kids will remember 15 years from now — the crowd, their friends … it’s all positive.”
COL: Byrne 9, Vanzant 3, D. Rodriguez 5, Mas 5, Fernandez 2, Vitiello 8, Jattin 7. BEL: Cruz 5, Cabrera 3, Ordonez 3, Romeu 1, Consuegra 13, Cirera 2, Silva 10. Three-pointers: Cabrera 1, Ordonez 1, Consuegra 1, Silva 1; Mas 1, Byrne 3, Vitiello 2. Half: 14-14. Fouled out: Cruz.
Coaching changes
▪ Palmer Trinity coach James Valle has helped the Falcons become a playoff regular in girls’ basketball for nearly a decade.
Valle has decided to head north at the end of this season.
Valle, who is completing his ninth season at Palmer Trinity, will become the athletic director at Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio, this summer.
“The opportunity to develop an athletic program at an elite independent school in my vision has always been a career goal of mine,” said Valle, who has compiled a 165-57 career record. “Without the sacrifice and passion of all the players I have had at Palmer Trinity, this opportunity never would have opened for me. I’ll take a little piece of each and every player I’ve coached with me as I enter this new chapter in my life.”
Under Valle, the Falcons won their only four district titles in school history and lead their district this season. Palmer Trinity has made the regional playoffs each of the past seven seasons.
▪ Oakland Park Northeast football coach Christopher Hay told the Miami Herald he has been dismissed from his coaching duties at the school.
Hay, a South Broward graduate, coached the Hurricanes to a 1-9 record this past season after a previous stint at Hollywood Hills as an assistant coach.
Northeast is still in the process of hiring a replacement.
“I love my kids and I just want to thank them for the hard work they put in and same goes for all the coaches out there doing things the right way,” Hay said. “Unfortunately, the school decided they wanted to go in another direction. Whoever takes over will inherit a solid, disciplined program on and off the field.”
ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
▪ MLK Classic — Krop 63, Archbishop Carroll 62: AC: Rosario 16, Garcia 5, Corden 8, Mirales 9, Diaz 8, Vilamil 5, Fred 7, Christian 4. Johnson 17, Galo 2. KRO (15-4): Jeanty 14, Aracena 19, Washington 5, Jackson 20, Munroe 3, Norman 2. Three-pointers: Rosario 2, Mirales 2, Diaz 2, Aracena 3, Jackson 2, Munroe 3. Assists: Washington 3.
▪ Princeton Christian 69, Island Christian 21: PC (12-6): Duran 26, Rodriguez 7, Thomas 3, Victoria 5, Jones 2, Moss 18, Herrmann 2, Meiron 6. IC: Dostaler 3, Carter 5, Dudley 2, Ihrig 11. Three-pointers: Duran 4. Rebounds: Thomas 12. Assists: Victoria 10. Steals: Duran 5. Half: PC 48-10.
▪ Westminster Christian 62, Miami Country Day 56: MCD: A. Camba 14, L. Figueroa 2, C. Friedman 5, BR. Gomez 2, S. Koppos 9, M. Lynott 16, O. Wesley 7. WCS (16-3): J. Raine 26, T. Halfaker 9, K. Paicely 4 , J. Velazquez 16, J. Avery 3, J. Rivera Brigham 3. Half: WCS 24-17. Three-Pointers: A. Camba 4, C. Friedman 1. S. Koppos 1, M. Lynott 1, O. Westley 1, Velazquez 1, Brigham 1, T. Halfaker 1. Rebounds: J. Raine 16. Assists: Velazquez 5. Steals: Velazquez2.
▪ American Prep 96, Christi Academy 41: AP (23-1): Black 2, Reece 2, Wilson 4, Courten 4, Millien 8, Formeza 10, Chevalier 16, Avery 25, Sawyer 25. CA (15-7):Tim 2, Kradeem 16, Dean 3, Jared 2, Wilbert 8, Marquis 10. Half:AP 34-11. Three-pointers: Dean 1, Wilbert 2, Avery 3, Kradeem 4, Sawyer 5. Assists: Sawyer 6, Formeza 8. Rebounds: Sawyer 8,Chevalier 10. Steals: Formeza 5, Avery 5. Blocks: Millien 3.
▪ Ransom Everglades 59, Keys Gate 38: RE: Simko 2, Black 12, Woolworth 17, Spiegelman 7, Deutch 2, Cobb 2, Rivlin 17. KG: Matulin 3, Sanchez 2, Stenger 4, Byrd 13, Ortiz 1, Abreu 6, Mumford 9. Rebounds: Woolworth 14. Assists: Deutch 7. Steals: Woolworth 4, Cobb 4.
▪ Archbishop McCarthy 68, North Broward Prep 43: AM (15-5): Salgado 11, Moya 10, Talbot 16, Diaz 5, Valdes 8, Thomas 3, Scott 9, Messer 6. NBP: Steigelfest 12, Campbell 4, Putin 2, Forrester 21, Roberson 1, Green 3. Three-pointers: AM: Salgado 1, Talbot 1, Diaz 1, Valdes 1, Messer 2. NBP: Green 1. Rebounds: Scott 11. Half: AM 33-22.
▪ Late Thursday — Palmetto 51, Killian 44: PAL: Gomez 14, Pubchara 14, Molinares 7, Duran 6, Hardaway 6, Villagra 2, Arvanitopoulos 2. KIL: Coscia 13, Katz 12, Garcia 8, Dovyan 6, Smith 2, Horten 2. Rebounds: Gomez 7, Duran 7. Assists: Gomez 4. Blocks: Guerrero 5. Steals: Pubchara 4. Three-pointers: Katz 4, Coscia 3, Dovyan 2, Pubchara 2. Half: 22-15 PAL.
▪ Late Thursday — Booker T. Washington 50, MAST 33: BTW (12-5): Anthony 20, Nottage 10, Bunett 5 , Neal 2, Stewart 5, Pena 5, King 2, Hutchenson 1. MA: Blanco 13, Hiller 11, Roberts 9, Oria 2. Three pointers: Merra 3. Rebounds: Stewart 10. Steals: Gator 3. Assists: Hutchenson 7. Half: 19-12 BTW.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Miami Country Day 69, Dunbar 48: MCD (20-1): Anyaglibo 7, Berry 10, Louis 17, Marshall 14, Alvarez 6, Jackson 10, Austin 5. GUN: Brown 1, Jewett 9, Johnson 2, Edison 2, Desamours 16, Bland 11, Lepart 3, Cooper 4. Three-pointers: Louis 2, Marshall 2, Alvarez 2. Rebounds: Anygalibo 11. Steals: Louis 3, Austin 3. Assists: Louis 7. Half:
▪ Calvary Christian 59, North Broward Prep 6: CC: Bender 21, Patuollo 9, Hickey 6, Derr 13, Sieradzan 10. Rebounds: Sieradzan 11. NBP: Molloy 2, Maximillien 2, Dasilva 2. Half: 35-4 CC.
▪ North Miami 41, Mourning 15: NM (15-4): T. Smith 10, G. Seide 6, V. Bailey 4, Fenerol 9, Bernard 4. Three-pointers: Scgilles 1. ATM: Daphne 6, Bill 5, Taylor 3, Alvarez 1. Rebounds: Smith 10. Assists: Smith 3. Blocks: Smith 2. Steals: Seide 5, Bailey 5. Half: 10-7 NM.
▪ Late Thursday — Calvary Christian 56, Pine Crest 26: CC: Bender 17, Sierazdan 13, Derr 13, Hickey 2, Patullo 11. PC: Weinberg 9, Shea 10, Taylor 5, Vreeland 2.Three-Pointers: Shea 2. Rebounds: Sieradzan 14, Bender 9. Half: 22-12 CC.
▪ Late Thursday — Cardinal Gibbons 65, Archbishop McCarthy 49: CG(12-6): Antoine 18, Armstead 16, Cohen 13, Tumminello 11, Cypress 4, Gregos 3. AM (10-12): McCray 15, Grimaldo 10, Amortegui 9, Juriga 7, Cotera 4, Goodwin 2, Whitlow 2. Half: CG 39-20. Three-pointers: Armstead 1, Gregos 1, Cypress 1, McCray 1, Amortegui 1, Cotera 1. Rebounds: Cohen 15, Armstead 7. Assists: Tumminello 6. Steals: Antoine 4.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
▪ District 16-1A final — Marathon 4, Palmer Trinity 0. PTS 13-9-1.
▪ District 12-5A final — Taravella 2, Douglas 0.
▪ Late Thursday, District 15-5A final — Lourdes 3, Coral Gables 0: Sofia Portuondo goal. Christine Hoynack goal. Taylor Cosio goal. Niki Molina assist. Olivia Perez assist. Tatiana Hernandez 16th shutout. LOU 19-2-1.
▪ Late Thursday — District 16-5A final — Ferguson d. Palmetto (3-2 PKs): Teri Brimo goal. Natalie Munoz goal. Nicole Rafols goal. Savannah Ward 2 saves. FER 15-6-1. PAL 12-5-2.
▪ Late Thursday — North Broward Prep 1, Cardinal Gibbons 1, (NBP 4-3PKs): CG (15-7-1): Michelle Barra goal.
BOYS’ SOCCER
▪ Monarch 2, American Heritage-Delray 2: AHD (15-1-3): Roberto Poplawski goal. Bradford Mills goal. MON (12-6-3): Rodrigo DaSilva goal. Kevian Ferraz assist. Rodrigo Silva goal. Leo Goncalves assist.
▪ Ransom Everglades 4, Palmer Trinity 0: Robert Shellow goal. Eddie Garcia-Montes goal. Ferris Bustamante goal. Alex Stuart goal. Antonio Ferrer shutout. RE 16-5-1.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
MLK Classic at Ransom Everglades: Mater Lakes vs. University School, 9 a.m.; Miami High vs. Coral Springs Charter, 10:45 a.m.; Central vs. Riviera Beach Suncoast, 12:30; West Palm Beach Dwyer vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 2:15; Ransom vs. Palm Beach Lakes, 4; Coral Gables vs. Zion Lutheran, 5:45; Dillard vs. Sagemont, 7:30
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
MLK Super Showcase at Hallandale: Dr. Krop vs. Miramar, 10 a.m.; Hallandale vs. Booker T. Washington, 11:30 a.m.; Community School of Naples vs. Lake Worth, 2:30; Boyd Anderson vs. Northwestern, 4; South Broward vs. Palm Beach Central, 5:30; Nova vs. Wekiva, 7; Dillard vs. Miami Country Day, 8:30.
Tuesday, Jan 20
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Greater Miami Academy vs. Doral Academy (DRL), 4:30
MAST vs. Miami Country Day (MCD), 5:30
Hollywood Christian vs. Princeton Christian (PRC), 7:00
Calusa Prep vs. Brito Miami (BMP), 7:00
Archemedian vs. Westwood Christian (WWC), 7:00
Southridge vs. Miami Palmetto (PAL), 7:15
Westland Hialeah vs. Miami Central (CEN), 7:30
Coral Gables vs. Southwest (SW), 7:30
South Miami vs. Coral Park (CP), 7:30
South Dade vs. Sunset (SUN), 7:30
North Miami Beach vs. Ronald Reagan (RR), 7:30
Coral Reef vs. Varela (VAR), 7:30
Miami High vs. Norland (NOR), 7:30
Booker T. Washington vs. Hialeah Gardens (Hialeah Gardens), 7:30
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Sunset (SUN), 3:30
Mater Lakes vs. Keys Gate (Keys Gate), 3:30
Marathon vs. Westwood Christian (WWC), 4:00
Westminster Christian vs. Miami Community Charter (Miami Community Charter), 4:00
SLAM Charter vs. Greater Miami Academy (GMA), 4:30
Archbishop Curley vs. Somerset Academy (SOM), 5:00
Riviera Prep vs. Carrollton (CRT), 5:00
Mater Academy Charter vs. Miami Beach (MB), 5:00
Jackson vs. Mourning (Mourning), 5:00
Hollywood Christian vs. Princeton Christian ( ), 5:30
LaSalle vs. Florida Christian (FCS), 6:00
Hialeah Educational Academy vs. Archemedian (Archemedian), 6:00
Calvary Christian vs. Miami Country Day (MCD), 7:00
St. Brendan vs. Doral Academy (DOR), 7:30
This story was originally published January 16, 2015 11:57 PM.