SOUTH MIAMI ENDS SOUTHWEST'S CINDERELLA SEASON, 47-33

South Miami's defense held Southwest to 10-for-47 shooting (21%) in a 47-33 victory in the semfinals of the Region 4-9A tournament. The loss ends the Eagles season two wins short of an appearance in the Florida Final Four. The Cobras (20-4) took an 11-3 lead after one quarter and Southwest was hurt when Chris Murray picked up his third foul with 6:27 remaining in the second quarter and Albert Hernandez was whistled for his third five minutes later. South Miami extended its lead to 26-20 at the half and 34-16 entering the final period. Hernandez made three free throws with 2:26 left to cut the lead to ten, but the Eagles could get no closer. Southwest fans turned out in force, filling their side of the gym and outnumbering the home team's fans.
The scoring:
Albert Hernandez 12
Justin Pratt 8
Jean Grullon 7
Chris Murray 6

Although the season ended sooner than everyone hoped for, it was certainly a year to celebrate. The 2017-18 Eagles finished 16-10, becoming the only group of players to record three consecutive winning seasons in school history. The 16 wins were the sixth highest total in 61 years of varsity basketball. They were one of the last three class 9A Miami-Dade schools still alive in the state tournament, along with North Miami and South Miami. Among the many highlights:
•The regional victory over Southridge was Southwest's first win in the state playoffs since 1959
•High-flying Chris Murray obliterating the school record for dunks with 13
•Albert Hernandez breaking his own record for most three-pointers in a game with 11 as he scored 40 points against Naples St. John Neumann
•Defeating Coral Gables, 61-48, to advance to the district championship game. It was the first win over the Cavaliers in nine years, breaking a 12-game losing streak.
•The five-game winning streak culminating with the win over neighborhood rival Columbus
•Murray, who will be playing for Embry-Riddle next season, developing into one of the best big men in the county. He had seven double-doubles and was one rebound short three other times. In the last six regular season games, he had double-doubles in five of them. He averaged 14 points per game.

Southwest's junior varsity had another good season under head coach Julian Rivas. The Baby Eagles finished 12-9 despite losing freshman Joel Aloma to the varsity early in the season.