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Donald Trump owes his political success partly to his relentless harping of Hillary Clinton his 2016 rival, for her careless use, of a private email server for official business while she was Secretary of State.

“Lock her up!” was the full-throated refrain of his first campaign. “Lock her up!”

It’s highly hypocritical that he now makes light of a far more serious security breach involving 18 high-ranking members of his administration, including his vice president, the secretaries of defense and state, director of national intelligence and national security advisor.

This double standard is hardly the worst part of the use of Signal, a commercial messaging app, for group texts that should not have been used for something so sensitive as scheduled air attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

There are consequences. Our European allies, whom the Trump regime seems determined to alienate, must necessarily fear sharing intelligence with a White House so reckless with legitimate secrets.

Contempt for our allies

Our allies learned from the Signal chats of the contempt in which they are held by some of Trump’s top people, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Our pilots and soldiers have reason to believe that their lives are less important. If the wrong people read those chats, pilots could have died. It’s fresh evidence that Trump considers himself unaccountable.

Such usage was never approved for the Signal app. The government has costly but secure facilities for highly sensitive communications, but convenience should always yield to security.

Signal can encrypt voice and text messages. It’s still more vulnerable to hacking by foreign agents than the government’s own networks.

The Kremlin loves it

The Pentagon warns that Signal has become a target for the Kremlin’s hackers.

The breach was especially glaring because no officials seemed to notice that someone was invited into the chat who had no business being there.

It was Atlantic magazine editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who suspected it was a setup. He soon learned it was for real, and exposed it only after the military operation ended.

Who else might have been eavesdropping?

Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, has taken the blame for roping Goldberg in — without saying how it happened — but not for discussing war plans on an improper platform.

Trump dismissed it as “the only glitch in two months.”

The only one we know about, that is. He also said Waltz, a former Florida congressman, had “learned his lesson” and that criticism of Waltz “was very unfair.”

Meanwhile, Clinton is still waiting for her apology. And the nation expects the Houthi chats to draw the same scrutiny as her emails had: investigations by the FBI and the Congress.

Total incompetence

What Goldberg received and reported speaks not only to incompetence in security but in foreign affairs. It has been our policy, necessarily, to defend freedom of the seas wherever it is threatened, whether in the Formosa Strait or the sea lanes to the Suez Canal.

Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare was the single issue that took the U.S. into World War I and factored into World War II as well.

The Signal chats bristled with resentment that the U.S. would safeguard shipping lanes that primarily serve European commerce with suggestions that Washington should make Europe pay to assure freedom of navigation in the Middle East.

“I just hate bailing out the Europeans again,” wrote Vice President JD Vance.

“I fully share your loathing of European freeloading,” wrote Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “It’s pathetic.”

It is unknown whether they shared their reservations with Trump, who notably dislikes being told “no.”

What the chats revealed was full-throated American isolationism.

That should have been put to rest by two world wars. Freedom of the seas is indispensable to all trading nations, especially ours, and it must be asserted wherever it is attacked.

Whether Europe should spend more and do more for mutual defense is a fair question, to which the answer in our opinion is “Yes.”

But that should be resolved by diplomacy, prudence and tact — none of which appear to be essential job requirements in this administration.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Opinion Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman, and Executive Editor Gretchen Day-Bryant. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com.

We have been devoted Sun Sentinel readers for many, many years. We have agreed, disagreed, laughed and yes, cried at times over your editorials. We very much appreciate your willingness to publish both pro and con opinions from your readers.

A recent letter to the editor from Steve Talercio of Hallandale Beach (“A malevolent stooge”) captured the current status of our government and of Donald Trump et al.

The self-proclaimed “king” empowered the other “king,” the world’s richest man, to disembowel the entire infrastructure of our country with a chainsaw.

An immigrant, himself, Mr. Musk built an empire of technological brilliance and amassed a fortune in this great country and is repaying it with complete malevolence and glee while assuring that his government contracts are not affected.

Meanwhile, “the king” is scheming with Putin, thinking he can be part of taking over the world, but in truth he’s incapable of being his equal in any way.

Putin plays Trump like a puppet, pulling all the right strings.

Never forget the despicable scenario of the public demeaning of the leader of war-torn Ukraine in the White House while the “co-president,” Elon Musk, wore a black T-shirt and cap, with his four-year-old son alongside him in the cherished Oval Office.

Our enemies are salivating. Our allies are stunned. We the people, especially those who chose this, are left holding the bag.

Wake up, America! Your country is being dismantled and sold to the highest bidder.

Vivian Woda, Delray Beach

The coverup is worse

The serious mistake by our Department of Defense gang must be investigated, to ensure it won’t happen again.

But considering the amateur players involved, it shouldn’t be unexpected.

That said, the hilarious coverup looks like what we saw during Watergate. Why not just say “We made an error, and we’ll make certain it never happens again”?

Watching the guilty players attack everyone and everything around this event is pathetic. Anyone who accepts their explanations is even more more pathetic.

Mark Lippman, Boca Raton

Save Social Security

Those of you who want to pull the plug on the Social Security system: How old are you? Do you or your parents remember the Great Depression of 1929? If not, do your homework and learn about that terrible time in our history before you try to destroy it.

For many, Social Security is their only income, and to destroy it would cause another depression. Since it’s money that came from our earnings to save for retirement, many are dependent upon it as their only income. Do not steal it from us. Save Social Security!

Audrey Frieman, Pembroke Pines

Mend it, don’t end it

The best argument for keeping the U.S. Department of Education is a bill in the state Legislature (SB 166) to let public high school students graduate in Florida — even if they fail Algebra I and a 10th-grade Language Arts course.

One reason given was that those courses are not required in private schools to which the state is providing $3.9 billion in vouchers to parents, who can use the money for TV sets or amusement park tickets in addition to even legitimate educational programs.

Improve the federal Department of Education. Don’t do away with it.

Irving R. Weiner, Winter Park

Madness on the bench

The battle between Donald Trump and the United States judiciary has given the phrase “March Madness” an entirely new connotation.

Donald Kogan, Boca Raton

Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.

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Today is Saturday, March 29, the 88th day of 2025. There are 277 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 29, 1974, a group of Chinese farmers digging a well struck fragments of terra-cotta buried underground; archaeologists would ultimately discover terra-cotta sculptures of more than 8,000 soldiers and other figures. The “Terra-cotta Army” would become one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

Also on this date:

In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began, limiting American consumers to store purchases of an average of about two pounds a week for beef, pork, lamb and mutton using a coupon system.

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In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union. (They were executed in June 1953.)

In 1961, the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections.

In 1971, Army Lt. William L. Calley Jr. was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the 1968 My Lai massacre. (Initially sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor, Calley’s sentence would ultimately be commuted by President Richard Nixon to three years of house arrest.)

In 1971, a jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders. (The sentences were commuted when the California state Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in 1972.)

In 1973, the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War.

In 1984, under the cover of early morning darkness, the Baltimore Colts football team left its home city of three decades, sending the team’s equipment to Indianapolis in moving trucks without informing Baltimore city or Maryland state officials.

In 2004, President George W. Bush welcomed seven former Soviet-bloc nations (Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia) into NATO during a White House ceremony.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Comedian Eric Idle is 82.
• Former British Prime Minister John Major is 82.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Walt Frazier is 80.
• Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell is 70.
• Actor Brendan Gleeson is 70.
• Actor Christopher Lambert is 68.
• Actor Annabella Sciorra is 65.
• Comedian-actor Amy Sedaris is 64.
• Model Elle Macpherson is 61.
• Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada, is 61.
• Actor Lucy Lawless is 57.
• Tennis Hall of Famer Jennifer Capriati is 49.
• Musician-author Michelle Zauner is 36.

SUNRISE — Brad Marchand felt the change in his first Florida Panthers game start Friday night.

“It was odd when I stepped on the ice,’’ he said.

Florida Panthers fans had to feel that way at the end, too.  Marchand capped his South Florida debut with a pass from behind the Utah net to Sam Bennett, whose goal then gave the Panthers a 2-1 overtime win.

Then delivered a sight needing a moment to digest: Bennett celebrating the game-winner with his one-time rival. The bitter enemies were now best buds.  The script, as they showed in a winners’ hug, got flipped.

It was all so odd, to use Marchand’s word, considering just last playoffs Bennett’s accidental (ahem) fist knocked Boston’s Marchand out of their playoff series. Panthers coach Paul Maurice was asked what he’d have thought back then if told Marchand and Bennett would hook up like Friday night

“Yeah, I’d have thought they’d hook up around the net five or six times and then another group go at it, too,’’ he said.

This is going to work for the Panthers. No doubt. The only thing missing from the picture right now is Matthew Tkachuk, who could complete this rare and punishing line if he returns healthy in the playoffs.

As it stands, Bennett and Marchand play hockey in a similarly captivating manner where excellence is a matter of nasty will as much as high-end talent. Bennett always has been a heart-and-soul guy of this Panthers run, a part of the talented core who must be re-signed for this team’s center to hold.

Marchand has been that player all his career in Boston. Bennett and Marchand don’t just score – Bennett with his 24th and 25th goals Friday; Marchand with 21 in Boston – they bring an antagonistic personality that’s just as defining.

Marchand has crossed lines by licking players, or repeatedly punching a hockey pacifist like Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin in a final series. But all judgment changes when it’s your team’s guy.

Just ask Bennett. The last two seasons any playoff shift against Marchand was a skate down a dark alley. Now he’s on the same line, just like they were for Canada in the 4 Nations Faceoff last month.

“Sometimes, it’s just the way things work out,’’ Bennett said. “You can be rivals and enemies one day and, you know, as soon as you put on that jersey and plays for the same cause, everything’s washed away.

“You’re instantly great friends and teammates that are looking to win together.”

How Marchand is used will be Maurice’s challenge. Do they keep him on a line with Bennett and Tkachuk? Allow his physical manner to help Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart?

And on the power play? Marchand worked on the second unit of the Panthers’ power play Friday night. He moved from the right to the left wing. All that fits into a Panthers’ constant of changing lines or roles.

“He makes a lot of small-area plays, in traffic and corners, that are really hard to do,’’ Maurice said. “His hands are fantastic.”

He just needed a night to get comfortable in South Florida after a career in Boston.

“It kind of hit me, going out there, being cheered by the Panthers fans was a lot different,’’ he said. “But it’s a great feeling. It’s not often that you get to be part of a group like this.

“I’ve been on a lot of teams though the years and you know when you have something special. That’s what you have here, and it’s what you want to be a part of.”

He wanted one other thing from his first night as a Panthers. His children had wondered about the rats on the ice – when they came, how they did. So, after his assist to Bennett on the winning goal, he did something for his children.

He picked up a couple of rats off the ice to take home.

 

 

MIAMI (AP) — Oneil Cruz hit a two-run home run, Andrew McCutchen added an RBI double and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Friday night.

Cruz walked to lead off the fourth inning, stole second base and advanced to third on an error. Joey Bart walked before Andrew McCutcheon hit a double to left, driving in Cruz. Bart scored on a sacrifice fly by Adam Frazier to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

David Bednar came on to pitch for the Pirates in the bottom of the ninth and walked Matt Mervis before Otto Lopez hit a two-run home run to make it a one-run game. Bednar got consecutive groundouts before striking out Hill to end it.

Frazier made his first start for the Pirates since July 25, 2021, filling in at second base for Nick Gonzales (ankle), who was put on the 10-day IL earlier Friday.

Derek Hill scored on a double to right by Graham Pauley in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-1.

Miami’s Liam Hicks made his first MLB start at catcher. The 25-year-old was the second pick in the Rule 5 draft in December.

Key moment

Tommy Pham reached on an error and stole second base before Cruz hit a line drive down the line in left that slipped just inside the foul pole to give the Pirates a 4-0 lead in the top of the fifth.

Key stat

The Marlins went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.

Up next

RHP Bailey Falter, who set career highs across the board in his first full season in the majors in 2024, starts for the Pirates, and 25-year-old right-hander Valente Bellozo goes for the Marlins on Saturday in the third game of the four-game opening series.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

By TIM REYNOLDS

SUNRISE — Brad Marchand capped his Florida debut by setting up Sam Bennett’s winner with 41.1 seconds left in overtime, and the Panthers defeated the Utah Hockey Club 2-1 on Friday night.

Bennett had both goals for Florida, including one in the second with Mackie Samoskevich and Aleksander Barkov assisting. Utah tied it early in the third on Sean Durzi’s third of the year.

The win pushed Florida back into first in the Atlantic Division at 44-25-3 with 91 points, one more than Toronto and two more than Tampa Bay. All three of those teams have 10 games remaining, and Florida faces those clubs three times — two with Toronto, one with the Lightning — down the stretch.

The Panthers paid tribute to Utah forward Kevin Stenlund during the first period, as has been the case with all returning players who left Florida after winning last year’s Stanley Cup. He got a video and ovation during the first period, acknowledging the crowd with a wave.

Stenlund got his ring in early January when the Panthers visited Utah.

Takeaways

Panthers: Marchand’s new line — with Samoskevich and Bennett — was on the ice to start the game for Florida. Every time Marchand touched the puck, the crowd seemed to immediately increase its volume.

Key moment

The Panthers staved off a power play that Utah was awarded with 3:23 left when Eetu Luostarinen was called for holding in a 1-1 game.

Key stat

Utah is now 1-18-3 in games this season when it scores two goals or less. The win was a 2-0 shutout over Philadelphia earlier this month.

Up next

Both teams play again Sunday, with Utah at Chicago and the Panthers home against Montreal.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

By BRIAN WITTE, Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Naval Academy will no longer consider race, ethnicity or sex as a factor for admission to the service institution, a response to an executive order by President Donald Trump, according to federal court documents made public Friday.

The change in policy was made in February by Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, the academy’s superintendent, in response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January, according to a court filing by the U.S. Justice Department in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The president’s order on Jan. 27 said that “every element of the Armed Forces should operate free from any preference based on race or sex.” It also directed the secretary of defense to conduct an internal review with respect to all “activities designed to promote a race- or sex-based preferences system,” including reviews at the service academies.

“Under revised internal guidance issued by the Superintendent on Feb. 14, 2025, neither race, ethnicity, nor sex can be considered as a factor for admission at any point during the admissions process, including qualification and acceptance,” according to the court filing made public Friday.

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The decision comes after a federal judge ruled in December that the academy could continue considering race in its admissions process. In that case, the judge found that military cohesion and other national security factors mean the school should not be subjected to the same standards as civilian universities.

During a two-week bench trial in September, attorneys for the academy argued that prioritizing diversity in the military makes it stronger, more effective and more widely respected.

The case against the policy was brought by the group Students for Fair Admissions, which was appealing the judge’s decision.

The Justice Department asked in the filing on Friday to suspend the current briefing schedule in the case while the parties consider the change in the academy’s policy.

‘The parties require a reasonable amount of time to discuss the details of the Academy’s new policy and to consider the appropriate next steps for this litigation, including whether this litigation is now moot and, if so, whether the district court judgment should be vacated,” the Justice Department wrote.

Students for Fair Admissions also brought the lawsuit challenging affirmative action that resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2023.

The high court’s conservative majority broadly prohibited the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions, ending a long-standing practice meant to boost opportunities for historically marginalized groups and sending shock waves through higher education. But it carved out a potential exemption for military academies, suggesting that national security interests could affect the legal analysis.

Students for Fair Admissions later sued the Annapolis-based Naval Academy, challenging the exemption. But Judge Richard Bennett rejected their arguments, saying that the school had “established a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps.”

Attorneys for the group argued during trial that prioritizing minority candidates is unfair to qualified white applicants and that cohesion should arise from other sources such as training and command structure.

The academy argued in that case that its admissions process considers many factors, including grades, extracurricular activities, life experience and socioeconomic status, according to court testimony. Race often played no role in the process, but sometimes it came under consideration in a “limited fashion,” attorneys for the academy wrote in court papers.

By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson on Friday, just before he was due to report to prison for a nearly 10-year sentence in a financial conspiracy case.

Watson was convicted last year in a closely watched case that showcased the implosion of an ambitious startup company.

The commutation was confirmed by a senior White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly about the decision and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Breon Peace, who was serving as the Brooklyn-based U.S. attorney at the time, said after the trial that the jury determined that “Watson was a con man who told lie upon lie upon lie to deceive investors into buying stock in his company.”

Ozy Media “collapsed under the weight of Watson’s dishonest schemes,” Peace said.

Trump has been aggressively using his presidential powers to commute sentences and pardon people who he believes were treated unfairly by the justice system.

Today is Friday, March 28, the 87th day of 2025. There are 278 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 28, 1979, America’s worst commercial nuclear accident occurred with a partial meltdown inside the Unit 2 reactor at the Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Also on this date:

In 1898, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, ruled 6-2 that Wong, who was born in the United States to Chinese immigrants, was an American citizen. It was the first Supreme Court decision to rule on the citizenship status of a child born in the United States to noncitizen parents.

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In 1935, the notorious Nazi propaganda film “Triumph des Willens” (Triumph of the Will), directed by Leni Riefenstahl, premiered in Berlin with Adolf Hitler present.

In 1941, author Virginia Woolf, 59, drowned herself near her home in Lewes, East Sussex, England.

In 1969, the 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, died in Washington, D.C., at age 78.

In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (commonly referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law), which includes the prohibition of classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in some grade levels in Florida schools.

In 2024, FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges related to the collapse of the exchange.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Author Mario Vargas Llosa is 89.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry is 81.
• Actor Dianne Wiest is 79.
• Singer-actor Reba McEntire is 70.
• Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Bart Conner is 67.
• Rapper Salt (Salt-N-Pepa) is 59.
• Country musician Rodney Atkins is 56.
• Actor Vince Vaughn is 55.
• Sen. Ashley Moody, a Republican from Florida, is 50.
• Actor Julia Stiles is 44.
• Singer-actor Lady Gaga is 39.
• Stylist-TV personality Jonathan Van Ness is 38.

Here are the winter 2025 All-County honorees, covering top high school athletes from Palm Beach County in basketball, soccer, wrestling, girls weightlifting and cheerleading. The section will be published in the newspaper on Sunday.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Palm Beach 7A-5A boys basketball player of the year: Tor-El Robinson, Wellington senior

Palm Beach 4A-1A boys basketball player of the year: Javian Jones, King’s Academy senior

Palm Beach 7A-5A boys basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Palm Beach 4A-1A boys basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Palm Beach 7A-5A girls basketball player of the year: Janiah Suprius, Seminole Ridge senior

Palm Beach 4A-1A girls basketball player of the year: Lena Girardi, Grandview Prep senior

Palm Beach 7A-5A girls basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Palm Beach 4A-1A girls basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

BOYS SOCCER

Palm Beach 7A-5A boys soccer player of the year: Kaua Kunz, Olympic Heights senior

Palm Beach 4A-1A boys soccer player of the year: Ford Cash, Benjamin senior

Palm Beach 7A-5A boys soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Palm Beach 4A-1A boys soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS SOCCER

Palm Beach 7A-5A girls soccer player of the year: Keelin Robertson, Jupiter senior

Palm Beach 4A-1A girls soccer co-players of the year: Alexia Hansen, F, Somerset-Canyons sophomore; Sam Woods, D, Benjamin senior

Palm Beach 7A-5A girls soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Palm Beach 4A-1A girls soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

BOYS WRESTLING

Palm Beach wrestler of the year: James Kosza, Wellington junior  

Palm Beach wrestling first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS WRESTLING

Girls wrestler of the year: Christal Desir, Forest Hill sophomore 

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

Girls weightlifter of the year: Sophia Gonzalez, Archbishop McCarthy senior 

Girls weightlifting first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year

CHEERLEADING

Co-cheer teams of the year: Cardinal Gibbons, Olympic Heights, Wellington, Western

 

Here are the winter 2025 All-County honorees, covering top high school athletes from Broward County in basketball, soccer, wrestling, girls weightlifting and cheerleading. The section will be published in the newspaper on Sunday.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Broward 7A-5A boys basketball player of the year: Dwayne Wimbley Jr., St. Thomas Aquinas senior

Broward 4A-1A boys basketball co-players of the year: Shon Abaev, Calvary Christian senior; Ricky Liburd, Sagemont senior; Christian Yeargin, Stranahan junior

Broward 7A-5A boys basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Broward 4A-1A boys basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Broward 7A-5A girls basketball player of the year: Ny’Keria Flowers, Northeast senior

Broward 4A-1A girls basketball player of the year: Jasleen Green, American Heritage junior

Broward 7A-5A girls basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Broward 4A-1A girls basketball first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

BOYS SOCCER

Broward 7A-5A boys soccer player of the year: Logan Hall, Pembroke Pines Charter senior

Broward 4A-1A boys soccer player of the year: Hopeny Louis, Highlands Christian sophomore

Broward 7A-5A boys soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Broward 4A-1A boys soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS SOCCER

Broward 7A-5A girls soccer player of the year: Sophie Barnes, St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore

Broward 4A-1A girls soccer player of the year: Courtney Caruso, American Heritage senior

Broward 7A-5A girls soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

Broward 4A-1A girls soccer first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

BOYS WRESTLING

Broward co-wrestlers of the year: Michael Mocco, Cardinal Gibbons junior; Eric Hodge, Somerset Academy senior; Illia Kyryianenko, South Broward freshman 

Broward wrestling first team, second team, honorable mention, coach of the year

GIRLS WRESTLING

Girls wrestler of the year: Christal Desir, Forest Hill sophomore 

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

Girls weightlifter of the year: Sophia Gonzalez, Archbishop McCarthy senior 

Girls weightlifting first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year

CHEERLEADING

Co-cheer teams of the year: Cardinal Gibbons, Olympic Heights, Wellington, Western

 

SAN FRANCISCO — Florida finally looked like a No. 1 seed — for a half, at least.

It was more than enough to move past Maryland 87-71 in a regional semifinal Thursday at Chase Center. To get back to the Final Four, the Gators will need play their best basketball for a longer stretch Saturday vs. No. 3 seed Texas Tech.

Energized Florida players cheer on their teammates from bench in the Gators’ 87-71 win against Maryland in Thursday night’s regional semifinal at San Francisco’s Chase Center. (Ezra Shaw/Getty)

Coach Todd Golden, back in San Fransisco for the first time since he left for UF three years ago, wasn’t looking ahead just yet following biggest win his young career.

“It’s surreal,” the 39-year-old said. “Selfishly, personally, I don’t want it to end. It’s been an amazing run.”

Florida’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2017 began with another uncharacteristically sloppy start highlighted by 13 first-half turnovers. But unlike Sunday’s 77-75 win against UConn, the Gators cleaned up their act and pulled away behind unselfishness, hustle and sounder basketball for their ninth straight win in March.

Winners of 27 straight when leading at halftime, Florida (33-4) rode a second-half surge ending with six Gators in double-figures, led by Will Richard with 15. Alijah Martin scored 11 of his 14 points after intermission, while Orlando’s Denzel Aberdeen added 12 points off the bench — 10 on 4 of 5 shooting in the second half as Florida pulled away.

“Denzel was fantastic,” Golden said. “He was in there for us when we iced it. He gave us a big lift.”

UF’s reserves outscored Maryland’s 22-3 as the Gators’ depth overcame a team nicknamed the “Crab 5,” a nod to the state’s cuisine and the Terps’ iron quintet.

“Their bench really wore us down,’ coach Kevin Willard said.

Florida also beat Maryland (27-9) on the boards 40-22, another of the Gators’ advantages as they earned the top seed in the West Region. The second team to reach the Elite Eight along with Alabama, UF appeared to be headed to a matchup with SEC foe Arkansas. The Razorbacks, however, blew a double-digit lead late in the second half and fell in OT to the Red Raiders at Chase Center late Thursday.

“We take pride in what we’ve done all year,” said center Rueben Chinyelu, who finished with 8 rebounds.

Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. leaves the court with coach Todd Golden after the Gators’ Sweet 16 win against Maryland. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Chinyelu, who also had 10 points, was key as the Gators seized control.

The 6-foot-10, 255-pound sophomore had two dunks and a layup off nice feeds as the Gators had 6 assists on their first eight field goals to stake 52-42 lead.

“That was a moment when we might have started wearing them down a little bit,” Golden said.

After a Maryland tip-in, Clayton gave up a possible 3-point attempt for a better shot for Martin, who drained it from long range. When the Terps cut their deficit to 55-49, All-America guard Walter Clayton Jr. found Aberdeen for a wide-open 3.

Maryland, a 6.5-point underdog, could not keep up with the Gators’ pace and eventually wilted.

“We were elite in the second half,” Golden said.

Everything went the Gators’ way, too.

Florida suffered a scare when power forward Alex Condon left the game after he rolled his right ankle with 12:15 remaining in the first half. Condon, the Gators’ leading rebounder and most versatile post player, injured the same ankle in February, sidelining him two weeks.

But the 6-foot-10, 230-pound sophomore returned six minutes into the second half and showed no ill effects. Condon soon was involved in one of the game’s craziest sequences.

Falling to his back after nearly committing another turnover, Condon threw the ball toward the basket, where 7-foot-1 Micah Handlogten tipped the ball twice and into the basket.

“That was a hell of a play,” Golden said.

Willard called it “a big momentum breaker.”

Nothing was going to stop the Gators on Thursday.

“This ride has been amazing,” Aberdeen said. “We know it’s not done yet.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

By JANIE McCAULEY

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Florida’s three standout seniors and its deep bench kept bringing energy until it became too tough for Maryland’s “Crab Five” to keep up.

Coach Todd Golden could see his Gators wearing the Terrapins down.

Will Richard scored 15 points, Alijah Martin added 14 points and seven rebounds, and No. 1 seed Florida played a steady second half to run away from fourth-seeded Maryland and into the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final with an 87-71 win Thursday night.

Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 13 points and four assists as Florida’s senior leaders and their deep supporting cast took down Maryland’s hardworking starters — one of Terrapins coach Kevin Willard’s concerns coming into this matchup.

“We come in with great energy,” said Florida reserve Denzel Aberdeen, who scored 12 points in 19 minutes. “Just everybody being ready, whoever’s name is called, I think that’s what we did.”

Freshman sensation Derik Queen scored 27 points to lead Maryland (27-9) in what might have been Willard’s final game guiding the program.

“I think their bench really wore us down,” Willard said.

Florida (33-4) advances to play Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s late game at Chase Center between third-seeded Texas Tech and No. 10 seed Arkansas.

The Gators, in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017 and seeking the program’s first Final Four berth since 2014, committed 13 of their 17 turnovers in the first half but took better care of the ball over the final 20 minutes. Florida already eliminated two-time defending NCAA champion UConn in the second round and is 10-1 in regional semifinals.

“The message was simple: We have to take care of the ball,” Golden, the Gators’ third-year coach, said.

The “Crab Five” — featuring WNBA star Angel Reese’s brother Julian, who had his sister in the stands to cheer — roared back in the first half when it seemed Florida might pull away. Queen, who hit a buzzer-beater in a 72-71 victory Sunday over Colorado State in the second round, shot 8 for 17 and made all 10 of his free throws.

Clayton, Martin and Richard combined for 42 points and three others scored in double figures for Florida. The senior trio had scored 56 of the Gators’ 77 points in the two-point victory against UConn last Sunday. That sent coach Golden back to the Bay Area, where he played for Saint Mary’s and coached at the University of San Francisco before taking the Florida job.

Now, they get to extend their stay into the weekend.

“It’s surreal, to be honest. The thing that I keep kind of going back to, selfishly, personally, I just don’t want it to end,” Golden said. “We have a uniquely tight group. … It’s been an amazing run.”

What’s next for Willard?

Willard’s future was unclear as he has been linked to the Villanova job and also publicly expressed concerns last week with the direction of the Terrapins program, calling for “fundamental changes.”

Fans booed the coach as the team departed its hotel earlier in the day.

Golden had described the Terrapins as “freaky talented” coming into the game.

Clayton from deep

Willard had compared Clayton to Stephen Curry when it comes to shooting off the dribble.

Clayton had been 22 for 43 from 3-point range — 51.2% — over his five postseason tournament games coming in. He wound up 2 of 6 from deep.

Takeaways

Maryland: The Terrapins were outrebounded 5-1 early before Reese’s offensive rebound, putback and three-point play at the 15:21 mark of the first half — and Maryland forced 10 turnovers over the opening 13:30 to get back in the game.

Florida: The Southeastern Conference Tournament champion Gators used their depth to generate a 29-3 advantage in bench points, with Maryland getting its first bench point with 1:15 to play. … Sophomore forward-center Alex Condon limped off to the locker room with an injury to his troublesome right ankle at the 12:16 mark of the first half and underwent a precautionary X-ray, then returned with 13:29 left.

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 122-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks:

– No, Heat-Hawks was not the preferred viewing of choice on Thursday night.

– Not with Gators and other critters playing for higher stakes in the NCAA Tournament.

– And yet, this had particular meaning in the Heat’s bracket of their own.

– Namely the NBA’s play-in bracket.

– In order for the Heat to advance to the playoffs, it likely will require two wins, without a loss, against the pool of Bulls, Magic . . . and Hawks.

– At this point, another Heat matchup this season against the Hawks will have meant escaping the first win-or-go-home game of the Eastern Conference play-in.

– With a potential next matchup against the Hawks to come in Atlanta.

– Still, from the depths of where the Heat stand, there is plenty to be said about building confidence.

– So that made this meaningful.

– Even if not that meaningful to the night’s overall basketball audience.

– So make it three wins in a row for Erik Spoelstra’s team

– And play-in hope added.

– The Heat for the second consecutive game opened with a lineup of Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Alec Burks and Tyler Herro.

– That was with Duncan Robinson missing a second consecutive game due to lower-back pain.

– The Hawks opened with Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Vit Krejci, Zaccharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu.

– Wiggins opened defensively on Young.

– At 26 years, 189 days, Young in the first quarter become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 12,000 points and 4,500 assists, surpassing LeBron James’ mark (27 years, 31 days).

– Davion Mitchell and Haywood Highsmith entered together in the Heat’s first substitution.

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– Pelle Larsson then followed, who had been limited the previous four games to mop-up duty, if that.

– With Kyle Anderson then remaining in the rotation.

– That meant Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr. again as spectators.

– As Spoelstra continues to hone his rotation.

– Creating question of where Robnson might stand upon his return.

– Spoelstra went in stressing confidence in his team’s offensive rejuvenation.

– “There are segments of these games where it’s a lot more coherent,” he said. “The thought process to our offense, how we’re getting to what we’re getting to, is much better.”

– The Heat then put together a 38-point second period.

– “We’re seeing improvement,” Spoelstra said. “It always helps when the ball’s going in.”

– Ware’s first 3-point attempt was the 100th of his career.

– Adebayo’s third steal was the 600th of his career.

MIAMI — There was a time when winning was challenging for Erik Spoelstra’s team.

As in last week. And the week before. And the week before that.

Now, the sweet smell of success, with the Miami Heat extending their winning streak to three with Thursday night’s 122-112 decision over the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center.

“We definitely have developed some grit and resilience,” Spoelstra said.

No, not the drama of Tuesday night’s victory over Jimmy Butler at the Golden State Warriors, and, no, no tangible relief in the standings, still at No. 10 in the East.

But now the sense that the worst is behind, even with a few more typically frantic Heat moments after going up 21 in the third period.

“We didn’t let go of the rope,” center Bam Adebayo said of the losing streak. “We’ve been preaching that. We didn’t let go, and now we’re streaking.”

While Tyler Herro seized control of the Heat offense with 36 points, there was ample support, including  12 points and 10 rebounds from Adebayo, and 16 points apiece from Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.

That was enough to offset 29 from the Hawks’ Trae Young, as the Heat, behind Thursday night’s 18-of-33 3-point shooting, closed out a 3-2 homestand

“We’ve got more of a chemistry now,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been through the fire and now it shows that we can win games.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Thursday night’s game:

1. Closing time: The Hawks led 32-22 at the end of the opening period, before the Heat moved to a 60-55 halftime lead.

The Heat then moved ahead by 21 in the third, saw the Hawks claw back within eight, before the Heat went into the fourth up 93-80.

The Hawks then quickly clawed within six early in the fourth, only to see the Heat respond with a three-point play from Herro and a transition 3-pointer from Haywood Highsmith.

But with Young draining a 3-pointer with 2:45 to play, the Hawks drew within 114-109.

That, however, is when Herro stepped up with his fourth 3-pointer.

“We’re seeing tremendous progress with our offense,” Spoelstra said. “Our fourth-quarter offense was better tonight.”

2. Back in groove: With the Heat largely healthy, particularly with Wiggins available, Herro continued to work in a groove of not being the only primary wing scoring option.

That had him again getting back to his comfort zones at the rim and at the 3-point line.

With his third 3-pointer, Herro now has the third-highest season total in franchise history, behind only the 270 of Duncan Robinson in 2019-20 and the 250 of Robinson in 2020-21. Herro’s third gave him 233 for the season.

He closed 13 of 17 from the field, 4 of 6 from behind the arc.

“Tyler was so efficient,” Spoelstra said, “and the best part about it, he did this entire game off the ball. I didn’t run one specific play for him.”

Said Herro, “It was just being aggressive on every catch.”

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3. The big deal: The Heat’s dual starting big men both took care of business on the boards, with Adebayo and Kel’el Ware playing the Hawks to a standoff in that facet.

Ware closed with 12 rebounds and seven points.

“It shows the two-big lineups can work.” Adebayo said.

Said Spoelstra, “It’s one of the biggest needle movers for us, when we rebound.”

4. Dual defenders: Spoelstra continues to play Mitchell and Highsmith in tandem as defensive energizers, again inserting them together as the Heat’s first two substitutes.

Mitchell offered the added bonus of 10 first-half points and three first-half assists, and kept going from there.

Mitchell closed 4 of 5 on 3-pointers, Highsmith 3 of 4.

“They’ve been giving us this kind of burst off the bench,” Spoelstra said. “Those two guys are embracing those kind of roles.”

With Highsmith again entrenched in the rotation, it again had Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez Jr. shuffled out of the mix.

5. On the road: With their five-game homestand complete, the Heat next head out for three in a row on the road, starting Saturday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, continuing Monday against the Washington Wizards and concluding Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.

The Heat are 13-22 on the road, heading back out on a five-game road losing streak.

St. Thomas Aquinas boys basketball coach Julius Sandi called star small forward Dwyane Wimbley Jr. the missing piece of the puzzle for his squad that won the Class 6A state championship for only the second time in school history.

It had been 24 years since their first successful trip to Lakeland, but Wimbley made sure he brought his teammates along for the exhilarating 30-2 ride.

“He was the perfect piece of the puzzle,” said Sandi after his team defeated Orlando Evans 71-63 after erasing an early 16-point deficit. Wimbley had a team-high 22 points and 11 rebounds in the game. “Last year we had a group that was right on the brink and I knew when he was coming to our school that he was the missing piece and he would fit right in.”

Dwayne Wimbley, All County Basketball Player of the Year from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, photographed on Wednesday March 12, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Wimbley, the team captain, and four-year varsity starter, spent the first year of high school at Dillard and then moved over to Westminster Academy for two seasons before closing out his senior campaign with his first state title. For the year, Wimbley averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals per game and 2.2 blocks.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” Wimbley said. “Not everything went right, but because of that, we were able to win it because we overcame those bumps in the road. Every time we hit a bump in the road, we overcame it and that is what made it special. That’s what describes our team. We are dawgs, we fight and we are hungry.

“In the state final,” he continued, “we knew there were two perspectives – either you win, or you lose and go home. We didn’t want to go home.”

Wimbley is back on the college market after decommitting recently from FSU after long-time coach Leonard Hamilton stepped down.

He initially had planned to also play football with the Raiders. He was a first-team All-County performer at wideout while at Westminster.

“That was definitely a tough decision,” Wimbley said. “Knowing that St. Thomas is a great football school, I heard that I might miss half the basketball season. Knowing the type of schedule that coach Sandi put together there was no way I was going to leave my brothers out there without me. I’m glad about the decision I made.”

FIRST TEAM Maddox Fowles, Basketball, Western. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Maddox Fowles, F/C, Western senior: Captain averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks for the 19-8 squad; season highlight was beating rival Cypress Bay.

Dylon Hanna, Blanche Ely, Basketball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dylon Hanna, PG/SG, Blanche Ely senior: Led Tigers in scoring averaging with 16.4 points a game, and also had 5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2 steals per game; Exceeded 1,000 career points.

Jayelen Jonas, Basketball, Blanche Ely. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jayelen Jonas, W/F, Blanche Ely senior: Played in 24 games and averaged 11.5 points, 0.7 assists, 9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 3.1 blocks.

Maximo Ortega, Basketball, Pembroke Pines Charter. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Maximo Ortega, PG, Pembroke Pines Charter senior: Led the Jaguars to a regional final where they fell to the eventual state champ (Blanche Ely); averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Alex Pierre-Louis, Basketball, Coral Springs. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Alex Pierre-Louis, CG, Coral Springs senior: Two-year captain broke 1,000 points this season; sent team to regionals with tying 3-pointer and then assisted on winning score; scored 42 points in a game; averaged 22.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

DJ. Sandi, Basketball, St. Thomas Aquinas. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

DJ Sandi, PG, St. Thomas Aquinas junior: Three-year captain averaged 9.5 points, a state-high 7.5 assists per game for Class 7A schools, 6 rebounds per game and 3.5 steals per game; hit clutch free throws to help Raiders win several tournaments including state.

Joshua Skinner, Basketball, Miramar. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Joshua Skinner, SG, Miramar senior: Team co-captain scored 975 points during his career and helped the team win a district title and a regional semifinal appearance; averaged 18.5 points, 3 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block per game.

Clarence Westbrook Jr., Basketball, St.Thomas Aquinas. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Clarence Westbrook Jr., G, St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore: Averaged team-leading 17.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game; said winning three in-season tournaments (Kreul, Kingdom of Sun, and BCAA Big 8) and winning the regional championship in front of his home crowd was the season highlight.

SECOND TEAM

Siah Blot, G, Miramar senior

Antonio Bonami, G, Fort Lauderdale junior

Travis Chin, PG, South Plantation sophomore

Robert Guishard, F, Pembroke Pines Charter junior

Jahmai Henry, G, Coral Springs freshman

Gavin Reed, PG, Coral Glades sophomore

Terrence Walker, SG/SF, Boyd Anderson senior

Jabari Washington, SG, Plantation junior

HONORABLE MENTION

Archbishop McCarthy: Andrew Okafor, Andrew Sanchez, Richard Segovia

Blanche Ely: Kaleb Corbitt, Robert Donald, Jayden McNabb

Boyd Anderson: Demarcus Deroche, Niteno Pierre, Theodore Richardson

Coconut Creek: Ijah Chin, Dallas Dixon

Cooper City: Jamier Johnston, Janiel Polanco, Noah Rupert

Coral Glades: Andres Demoya, Donovan Swain, Kyler Theophile

Coral Springs: Jevah Chervin, Jamal Henry, Tavien Neille, Joshua Pierre

Cypress Bay: Christian Leone, Christian Rios

Dillard: Bivindy Jean, Jaxson Smith, Jaden Williams

Everglades: Lance Bailey Jr., Odean Gilmore, Dekotah Pierre-Johnson

Flanagan: Jason Carias

Fort Lauderdale: Reggie Cleveland, Rawle Farose, Adler Olween, Antwain Smith

McArthur: Joshua Barbar, Jonas Bonannee

Miramar: Ronald Germielle, Martel Smith

Monarch: Benjamin Boutin, Nikyle Campbell, Sidney Lewinsky

Northeast: Jonathan Senior, Dean Vital

Pembroke Pines Charter: Zamari Days

Plantation: Sahmaj Alcime, Malaki LeGrande

St. Thomas Aquinas: Nate Accius, Zane Elliott, Kellson Sandi

South Plantation: Lathan Coleman, Gabe Collier, Swaminsky Liberal

Stoneman Douglas: Ayden McLean

Taravella: Nick Florea, Santana Henderson III, Brandon Pitts

Western: Stef Frisby, Calvin Thompson

CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR JR McNabb, Basketball, Blanche Ely. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

J.R. McNabb, Blanche Ely: Led the Tigers to a county-best ninth consecutive state championship and first since 2019. “This is huge for the program. The boys had three coaches in three years and I thought I could come in and help them. They worked so hard for this and for them to stick around and not leave the school like others did, they got rewarded.”

Julius Sandi, Basketball, St. Thomas Aquinas. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Julius Sandi, St. Thomas Aquinas: Piloted the 30-2 Raiders to championships in the Kreul Classic, Kingdom of the Sun, BCAA Big 8, third district, regional, and the second state championship in school history, the other coming 25 years ago; ranked No. 18 nationally. “We had a brotherhood that was committed and trusted the process. We chased history and it was captured…I would say that this team exceeded expectations this year and more.”

The small-school FHSAA state basketball championships in Lakeland were dominated by Broward County boys teams, with three schools winning titles.

A star member of each of those champions, Calvary Christian senior Shon Abaev, Sagemont senior Ricky Liburd and Stranahan junior Christian Yeargin, are being honored as 4A-1A co-players of the year.

In addition to the state championship, Abaev was selected as one of only 24 players from the Class of 2025 to participate in the prestigious Boys 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game. Abaev said it was a dream come true. This season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks per game.

Abaev, a guard, is a University of Cincinnati signee who contributed 20 points and 11 rebounds in a thrilling 66-64 victory over the Villages for the 3A title.

“I think it was a really big year,” Agave said. “It was amazing to win a state championship and to be in that atmosphere. We had two really hard teams and we were tired, but we pulled it out. I want to be the best player on the court, and I think it proved it.

“This ranks number one for me,” he added. “It is surely special. It’s my first state championship.

Shon Abaev, All County Basketball Player of the Year from Calvary Christian Academy photographed on Wednesday March 12, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Liburd, a swingman, stepped out of the shadow of senior Matt Able and was able to help the Lions to a third straight Class 1A state title.

Liburd, a Coastal Carolina signee, scored a game-high 29 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and had four assists and three blocks. He averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and one block.

“I missed the first month of the season dealing with an injury (dislocated knuckle on his shooting hand), but I came back and made an impact in the state championship,” Liburd said. “It was tough to watch and not be able to play. It motivated me to come back stronger and do something at state.

Ricky Liburd,, All County Basketball Player of the Year from Sagemont Prep photographed on Wednesday March 12, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Yeargin scored a game-high 21 points and added four assists and six rebounds for the Dragons, who scored seven points in the 62-56 win over the two-time defending state champion St. Petersburg Gibbs. The Dragons (27-5) scored seven points in a 10-second span with 16 seconds remaining to pull out the win.

“The year was great,” Yeargin said. There were a lot of ups and downs, but we put in the hard work, and despite everything, we were able to pull it out.  We only had nine players, but it was stronger than a team with 20 or 30 players.

“It was the hunger after last season,” Yeargin said. “I didn’t feel last year that I was where I should have been. I was more confident this year.”

Christian Yeargin, All County Basketball Player of the Year from Stranahan High School, photographed on Wednesday March 12, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Today is Thursday, March 27, the 86th day of 2025. There are 279 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 27, 1912, in Washington D.C., first lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of Japan’s ambassador to the United States, Viscountess Chinda, planted the first two of 3,000 cherry trees given to the U.S. as a gift by the mayor of Tokyo.

Also on this date:

In 1794, Congress approved the “Act to provide a Naval Armament” of six armed ships, which provided the foundation of the permanent U.S. Navy.

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In 1939, the first NCAA men’s Division I basketball championship game was held, with the University of Oregon defeating Ohio State, 46-33.

In 1964, Alaska was hit by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake (still the strongest on record in North America) and tsunamis that together claimed over 130 lives.

In 1968, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit the Earth in 1961, died when his MiG-15 jet crashed during a routine training flight near Moscow; he was 34.

In 1973, “The Godfather” won the Academy Award for best picture of 1972, but its star, Marlon Brando, refused to accept his Oscar for best actor and, in what would become one of the Oscars’ most famous moments, sent in his place actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who spoke out about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood.

In 1975, construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; the 800-mile (1,290-kilometer) pipeline was completed just over two years later.

In 1977, in aviation’s deadliest disaster, 583 people were killed when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off in heavy fog, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on an airport runway on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

In 1980, 123 workers died when a North Sea floating oil field platform, the Alexander Kielland, capsized during a storm.

In 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, winning the Oscar for best actor just minutes later. (Smith later resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and received a 10-year ban from the Oscars.)

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Michael York is 83.
• Film director Quentin Tarantino is 62.
• Singer Mariah Carey is 56.
• Actor Pauley Perrette is 56.
• Actor Nathan Fillion is 54.
• Singer Fergie is 50.
• Former MLB catcher Buster Posey is 38.
• Singer Jessie J is 37.
• Actor-singer Halle Bailey is 25.

General Daily Insight for March 27, 2025

A bit of a back-up is jamming the cosmic thoroughfare. Venus, the planet of love and money, is still retrograde as it abandons fiery Aries and returns to flowing Pisces to finish out the remainder of this cycle. Our usual fantasies and daydreams may abruptly devolve into delusions and escapism. Be wary of donning a pair of rose-colored glasses, as optimism could blind you to the reality of your situation. Clear eyes and a strong heart are needed more now than ever.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Cosmic nebulousness could impede your pursuit of pleasure. Alluring Venus is retrograding back into your 12th House of Isolation, which can remove a lot of joy from your life — or at least it has that appearance. It isn’t easy to summon the planet of pleasure when it’s asleep at the wheel like this, so don’t try to push for fun or romance to happen when you don’t have Venus helping you out. Let go of any expectations for the moment.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Take stock of Team Taurus. Your social life is up for inspection as your ruler Venus retrogrades in your 11th House of Communities, encouraging you to reconnect with people who you may have left hanging while you’ve been busy doing other things. If you’ve got a friend or two — or a whole group of them — who you should reach out to, then consider this your cosmic cue to extend that olive branch. People will be happy to hear from you.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Take care of your reputation before it becomes a problem. Alluring Venus is backing up into your public 10th house, which can cause a few complications when it comes to your ambitions and how people see you. Venus Retrograde can make it easy to bet on yourself, certain that everyone adores you when that might not be the case! Play it safe for the time being, and hold off on any big reveals until Venus wakes up once again next month.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You only need to go so far so fast. The world certainly looks tempting and full of myriad rewards as Venus returns to your 9th House of Ideas. That being said, with Venus still rolling in reverse, those appealing potential outcomes will likely end up being much less beneficial and more complex in reality. Stick to what you know, rather than chasing after everything you set your eyes on, because chances are high the experience won’t be all it’s cracked up to be.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Watch out for the temptation to take things too far. Your feelings are amped up as Venus reverses into your intense 8th house, turning the heat up a few notches. All sorts of chaos could impact your plans when Venus is backing up like this. Your feelings can burn hot and cold, and what appeals to you one minute may seem far less appealing the next. Don’t go all in on anything when your opinions and desires are as changeable as this.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Reflect on the value you place on your relationships. Your 7th House of Partnerships is coming into focus as pleasant Venus returns to this sector, thanks to its current retrograde phase. When it’s spinning in reverse like this, Venus can make it difficult to see eye-to-eye with people and get on the same page. Be leery of attempts to turn your closest connections into an “ideal” network until Venus has turned direct, or else you risk swimming upriver with nothing to show for it.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Take a reasonable approach to self-improvement. Your ruler Venus is backing up into your 6th House of Improvement, bringing its positivity and promise — as long as you don’t let its retrograde incite too much indulgence. It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll work out more when you buy a new wardrobe of athletic wear, or that you need the fanciest blender to make your morning smoothies. All those bells and whistles can be fun, but you don’t need them to reach your wellness goals.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

There is such a thing as too much fun. No matter how tough it is to stop yourself doing everything you like as pleasure-loving Venus retrogrades into your ardent 5th house, you’ll be better off restraining such urges. Otherwise, you might find yourself going overboard in your pursuit of satisfaction! All work and no play makes for a boring life, but no work and all play makes for an irresponsible one. Remind yourself that there will be time for you to accomplish both.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Hold off on any emotional spending for as long as you can. Venus is retrograding back into your 4th House of Feelings, which can make it very tempting to throw your money around as a distraction from whatever’s actually going on beneath the surface. This same sector rules over your home life, but hit pause if you decide to completely redecorate your space. Venus also rules aesthetics, and there’s a big chance that you won’t like any changes tomorrow that you make today.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

The search for pleasure begins in your community. Your local 3rd house is lit up as Venus retrogrades into this territory, bringing its fun-loving ways with it — though those will be a little dimmed until it turns direct once again. For now, focus on the places and people you know bring joy into your life, whether it’s your favorite bar or your favorite library. Save brand-new explorations for another time. Take comfort in what you know, and you should enjoy the process.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Buyer’s remorse is on sale! With luxury-loving Venus turning back into your financial 2nd house, going on shopping sprees won’t keep you satisfied for long. Venus impacts both your money and your sense of aesthetics. Whether you’re craving a fresh wardrobe or considering investing in a promising startup, it would be much wiser to wait until Venus has turned direct once again. The last thing you want is to waste your hard-earned money, so don’t give your impulsive side the chance to do so.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You have a special kind of allure, but you should be careful how you use it. You likely can’t help feeling good about yourself as Venus retrogrades back into your sign, but with that loving planet continuing to reverse, you’re in danger of picking up the wrong end of the stick. You may think everyone’s buying what you’re selling, but they may want to return it just as quickly if you lay your spiel on too thick. Don’t hype yourself up too much to anyone.