Hey, at least somebody is playing competitive ball in our town. The Heat and ‘Phins might be down in the dumps, but under 22 sports are dominating.

Hurricanes’ basketball is 9-0 and will finally break into the Top 25 this week.

St. Thomas Aquinas won their fourth State Championship last night.

Booker T. Washington and Miami Northwestern will be playing for their State Championships today.

If you’re able to watch these games today, make sure you do, because you’ll see a lot of these names again next season on Saturdays. Well, you may not actually see their names again, because of Coach Shannon’s weak attempt at team unity by removing the names off the back of the jerseys, but you know what I mean. . .

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For the fourth consecutive year, St. Thomas Aquinas will be playing for the State Championship. In 2004, 2005, 2006, the Raiders lost to Lakeland. For anyone who knows anything about High School football, they will remember last year’s championship as the game that St. Thomas was down by 28 points with something like three minutes left, and went on to get four touchdowns and three onside kicks to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately, the Raiders fell short, 45-42, when Coach George Smith decided to go for the touchdown and the win on fourth down, but came up inches short.

Tonight at 7 p.m. on Sunshine Network, STA will take on Kissimme Osceola. You’ll see a few future ‘Canes on the Raiders. Also, you will see Cris Carter on the sideline as an assistant coach and his son playing at wide receiver.

Go Raiders!

- bstew
Class of ‘00

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Belen Jesuit, not a graphic design academy

Belen Jesuit, the defending 2A state swimming champions, are attempting to be the first Dade County swim team to win back-to-back state championships since the 1960’s. Coach Kirk Peppas summed up the Wolverine’s chances:

”Three boys have the opportunity for state titles, [Carlos] Araque in the 100 breast, freshman Carlos Omana in the 200 individual medley and 100 back, and Victor Lopez-Cantera in the 100 fly and the 100 breast. All three relays have a great opportunity to win.”

The biggest competition for Belen is coming from Tallahassee Leon High School. Miami beats Tallahassee in everything else, so this should be a breeze. Give ‘em hell Wolverines… and put some damn clothes on!

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Miami Northwestern High School QB (and Hurricane Commit) Jacory Harris, is the current leader for the EA Sports High School Football Player of the Year Award.

Jacory Harris has swept the voting each week for the award given to the top prep football player in the nation. Harris had an efficient day (to say the least) last week; completing 7-of-8 passes for 157 yards and four touchdowns in a 57-0 win. Do the Bulls run any routes less than 30 yards? Guess not. Up next for Harris and those boys from ‘Da West: Hialeah-Miami Lakes.

[thanks: InsideTheU and StudentSports]

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Yes.

Stop worrying.

Percy Harvin’s Kryptonite

 I read the message boards, I get caught up in the whimsical decisions of 17 year old kids as much as the next Hurricanes’ fan. Patrick Johnson is as good a recruit as Miami has had commit in years. He has great size for a corner yet can run with the best of them.

There is an article in today’s Sun Sentinel talking about the Johnson recruiting saga and the tenuous position for the Hurricanes. Some selected quotes:

“Right now, I have not changed my mind,” Johnson said. “I just want to see some other places to make sure that I made the right decision.”

“People make a big deal out of me going to this place or that place,” Johnson said. “If Miami is indeed the school for me, everything will fall into place. I’m a believer in things working out for a reason.”

“These visits are not just for me,” Johnson said. “I wanted my mom to get the chance to see these schools as well.”

Recently, PJ opened up his recruitment. It started with the trip to LA for USC’s “Rising Stars Camp” where he dominated and cemented his stance as the top defensive back in the nation. The trip opened some eyes, and PJ’s commitment. Don’t worry about it. Johnson is a competitive kid who wanted to prove he is the best in the nation. Let the Gators, Trojans, and even Aggies (yes, Texas A&M fans think they actually have a shot with this kid) have their flights of fancy. Johnson will be a Hurricane.

Patrick Johnson is just like every South Florida kid. He wants to see the country. Take some visits. Hell, I saw He Got Game. If I knew I could travel the country to college campuses getting introduced to the local talent, I’d take every visit I’m allowed.  And apparently moms wants some fun too.

Trust in Randy, this kid is a Hurricane. Oh, in case you needed more proof, he loves flashing “The U”…

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Da West!

Miami Northwestern: 29 - Southlake Carroll: 21

Those ‘ol Texas boys have to hate the school of inner-city black kids coming in and waxing their team of perfect, white suburbia.

I think these words from 305 Prophet, Pitbull sum it up:

Show ‘em how we do in the south

Kick in the door, run in they house

If dem boys tell you they spit fire

f*ck it, put a gun in they mouth

“They house” was the state of Texas. “Dem Boys” were all those Texans who thought the Bulls didn’t have a popsicle in hell’s shot of winning this game, and “a gun in they mouth” was the combination of Jacory Harris to Tommy Streeter which resulted in 3 touchdowns for Miami Northwestern.

Here’s the highlights of Miami Northwestern’s beat-down of Texas’ own Southlake Carroll High School:

[Many thanks to Rusty for putting together this video. Check out his other awesome ‘Canes videos here]