It was a championship weekend atmosphere on campus as both basketball programs at St. Thomas Aquinas High School delivered in the biggest moments of the season. With back-to-back regional final victories, the Raiders girls and boys teams have officially punched their tickets to the FHSAA State Semifinals.
In front of a packed home crowd Friday night, the Aquinas girls outlasted Nova High School in a tightly contested regional final, earning a 60–56 victory to secure their place in the Final Four. The game featured momentum swings throughout, with both teams trading defensive stops and timely baskets. Down the stretch, however, the Raiders showed poise — executing in the half court, knocking down key free throws, and coming up with critical defensive possessions to seal the four-point win.
The victory capped off a resilient postseason run and demonstrated the group’s composure under pressure. With the win, the girls program advances to Lakeland with state championship aspirations firmly intact.
Less than 24 hours later, the Raider boys delivered a statement performance of their own. Facing Miramar High School in the regional final, Aquinas controlled the game from the opening tip and never looked back, rolling to a dominant 77–43 victory.
Balanced scoring and relentless defensive intensity defined the night. The Raiders pushed the pace, converted in transition, and locked down on the defensive end, holding Miramar to limited opportunities while steadily building a double-digit lead that ballooned in the second half. By the final buzzer, the outcome was emphatic — a 34-point win and a confident stride into the state semifinals.
The sweep of regional titles marks a significant achievement for Raider basketball and underscores the strength of the program across both sidelines. In a competitive Broward County landscape, advancing one team to the state’s final four is an accomplishment. Sending two is a statement.
Now, both squads turn their focus to Jacksonville, where they will compete among Florida’s elite with a chance to play for a state championship. Raider Nation will travel in force, energized by a weekend that showcased grit, dominance, and the unmistakable pride of Aquinas basketball.
The boys are seeking their second consecutive state championship while the girls look for the fifth in program history.
