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After an emotional rollercoaster this week, the Coral Gables men’s basketball team is embarking on an unprecedented weekend of playoff action beginning tonight Friday, February 26 against Palmetto.
With a 14-4 record and its first District Championship since 2003, the Cavaliers were poised to begin seeking their first State Championship last Saturday night against Palmetto (14-7).
Then things got crazy, as Miami-Dade Public Schools told the Cavaliers their season was over because of reported positive covid-19 tests at rival Columbus after the Coral Gables had beaten the Explorers last week to win the District Championship.
Yes, it was as bizarre as it sounds, as Columbus was allowed to play Saturday night- beating Southwestern to advance in the Playoffs- while Coral Gables’ season was shut down just hours before the game because of Columbus’ positive tests and forced to forfeit its game against Palmetto.
But the community wasn’t having it and fought back furiously on behalf of the student-athletes, led by Coral Gables attorney David Winker and Marcos Molina, whose son Marcos Molina plays on the team. The pressure and fundamental unfairness of what was going on resulted in tremendous local news coverage.
The story has a happy ending as Miami-Dade County School Board Member Mari Tere Rojas was able to work her magic and find a solution among all the stakeholders, including the affected Broward and Miami-Dade schools that allowed Gables to continue its playoff run beginning tonight against Palmetto at the Gables gym at 7pm.
Winker told Community News that it was important to show these student-athletes that we are proud of their hard work and accomplishments and that we are willing to fight for them.
“Coach Tico Govea and Assistant Coaches Carlos Abril, Sr. and Hajji Ingram and all the players worked so hard to make this season possible and the community wasn’t going to stand for it ending on a bureaucratic snafu like this,” said Winker. “I want to especially thank Mari Tere Rojas for her tireless efforts to make this happen.”
The Cavaliers are led by Seniors:
- Desmond Romer, 6’1″ and arguably the best point guard in South Florida
- Ronald Delgado, 6’4″ swingman and great rebounder
- Jonathan Similien, 6’2″ shutdown defender and inside scorer
- Marcos Molina, 6’1″ guard with good shooting skills
- Rokny Fragoso, 6’1″ guard and all around ball handler
Juniors:
- Kuran Bryant, 6’5″ center and powerful rebounder and scorer
- Romulo Delgado, 6’3″ and perhaps the best pure shooter in South Florida
If the Cavaliers beat Palmetto, they host Columbus (15-7) Saturday night at 7pm. The Cavaliers have beaten Columbus three times this year, including in the GMAC Gold Bracket Division Championship and the District Championship. The winner of that game travels Monday to Western (13-7), who upset Miramar.
