Blanche Ely now has more boys basketball titles than any other Broward County program.
The Tigers won their eighth FHSAA championship and second title in a row with a 57-52 victory over Bradenton Lakewood Ranch on Saturday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The title moves Ely ahead of Dillard — which lost in the Class 7A title game earlier Saturday — for sole possession of most all-time championships in Broward County.
“Like I always say, it’s a blessing. I’m a very, very blessed man,” said Ely coach Melvin Randall, who has won seven of the Tigers’ eight championships. “I’m very blessed. I know how hard I work. I know how hard I work these kids, and they stepped [up] to the challenge. And they’re the ones that really, really deserve this moment.”
Saturday’s title game was a back-and-forth affair, with 11 lead changes and five ties. Like in Friday’s state semifinals, the Tigers clawed back from a double-digit deficit.
“Time. Time is a factor,” Randall said. “I look at the time, look at the clock, of course, and try to balance the possessions we’re able to get and try to fight against the time as well as our opponent.”
The Tigers got strong production from their forwards Malachi Hazelton, Joshua Scott and Aderes Staton-McCray. The trio combined for 37 points (Staton-McCray led with 19), 17 rebounds and one key block by Staton-McCray late in the fourth quarter.
“It was definitely a momentum change,” Randall said. “That was the play of the game right there.”
Guard Lamont Evans proved clutch from beyond the three-point line, nailing four 3-pointers, including two big ones at the end of the first half to cut the Mustangs’ lead to two.
“My assistant coaches and my teammates, they were just saying to let it fly,” Evans said.
Scott earned the distinction of becoming the first player in Ely history to win three championships, and he celebrated the moment with a T-shirt documenting his 2016, 2018 and 2019 titles.
“It’s really a blessing,” Scott said. “Our school, we say the tradition continues. I’m just continuing the tradition.
“This one is more special, probably because I’m the first person at Blanche Ely to get three. So it feels pretty special. It still hasn’t hit me, but once it [does], I’m going to be in a whole other mood.”
Ely became the fourth Broward County boys basketball team to win a state title this year. Westminster Academy, University School and Stranahan also won championships.
“To have four titles in Broward County is unreal,” Randall said.
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