Monarch Boys Basketball. {Courtesy}
By: Matt Rothman
The Monarch High School boys and girls basketball teams are both off to solid starts to the season.
Boys Team
After falling in their first game, the boys picked up their first win, 53-28, over Boca Raton Community High School on Dec. 1.
This was Head Coach Jason Bean’s first victory in his return to coaching.
Monarch then fell in their next game but beat Coral Springs Charter 54-46 on Wednesday to improve to 2-2.
Amashi Berry currently leads the team in points with 8.7, while AJ Hairston is second and averages nine rebounds per game. The rest of their teams consist of James Ganley, Mohammed Chehade, Troy Bitetto, Anthony Santamauro, Peter Sziranyi, Samari Reed, Jabari Brady, Cody Dinnall, Walter Parrish, Deondre Louis, and Lionel Alcira.
Six players are multi-sport athletes, with five finishing a historic season for the football team in their run to win their second District Championship in school history.
“This year’s Knights are a very talented, athletic squad with an abundance of potential,” said Bean. “The coaching staff is extremely motivated and dedicated to improving the Monarch basketball program and helping all our student-athletes succeed in their journeys after high school.”
Girls Team
The girls team is 3-2 with wins this season over Calvary Christian Academy, Pompano Beach, and Stranahan High School.
This is the best start the Knights have had since the 2014-15 season. Their two losses came against Nova High School and then fell 38-36 against Coral Springs Charter Wednesday night.
The team consists of Kayla Cortez, Olivia Aponte, Saniah Whyte, Katrice Burke, Haylie Casimis, Niqueaha Cross, Addy Fears, Jaynae Gilbert, Jaiden Guishard, Princess Greene, and Jazlyn Brown.
After winning seven games a season ago, the Knights will have a tough matchup in their next game against Coral Springs Charter on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The The Titans are 0-3 this year with losses against Coral Glades, South Plantation, and South Broward High School.
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