OAKLAND PARK — Northeast High and American Heritage-Plantation met in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal Thursday night. Here’s the story from Oakland Park:
NORTHEAST MAKES QUICK WORK OF HERITAGE
This one was over rather quickly. Northeast led by double-digits in the first quarter and it was 45-22 by halftime. Three players scored for Heritage over the first 16 minutes.
RUNNING CLOCK BEGINS IN THIRD QUARTER
The game was played with a running clock after the 1:21 mark of the third quarter when Northeast broke the 35-point barrier on a dunk by 6-9 freshman Ryan Bewley (pictured) to go up, 70-34. The Hurricanes would end up putting up 77 points on the board, 77-38. Ryan Bewley’s twin, Matthew Bewley (2023), scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead five Hurricanes in double figures. 2021 standout Wesley Cardet scored 13 points, while Ryan Bewley, Jermaine Dyges and Jameon Harris all had 10 points.
‘TOUGH CARD TO DRAW’
Northeast was too big and too fast for Heritage, which bowed out at 12-11. The Hurricanes used a press to make it very difficult on the Patriots. Heritage first year coach Raja Bell — of FIU and Miami Heat fame — summed it up this way: “Kryptonite for us,” Bell said of Northeast. “Long, athletic, apply a lot of pressure. We’re just getting started. We’re playing a lot of young guys, too. That was a tough card to draw.” Jackson Arnberg led Heritage with 17 points.
‘SURVIVE AND ADVANCE’
Gerald Gillion, of the Northeast High staff, said the team is banking on its defense at this stage of the season.
“We’re making a conscious effort to sit down and defend,” Gillion said. “… You always focus on defense no matter who is on the court — whether it’s the first man or the 12th man.”
FAMILIAR FOE UP NEXT
Northeast (21-6) advances to take on Pembroke Pines Charter — for the fourth time this season — in the 5A regional semis next Tuesday. Northeast has won two of the first three meetings. Boyd Anderson and Okeechobee will meet in the other Region 4 semifinal.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer at PatALammer@Gmail.com
