On Nov. 24,1971, a hijacker calling himself “Dan Cooper” (but who became popularly known as “D.B. Cooper”) parachuted from a Northwest Orient Airlines 727 over the Pacific Northwest after receiving $200,000 in ransom; his fate remains unknown.

Also on this date:

In 1859, British naturalist Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species,” which explained his theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

In 1865, Mississippi became the first Southern state to enact laws that came to be known as “Black Codes” aimed at limiting the rights of newly freed Blacks; other states of the former Confederacy soon followed.

In 1947, a group of writers, producers and directors, who would become known as the “Hollywood Ten,” was cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions about alleged communist influence in the movie industry.

In 1963, Jack Ruby shot and mortally wounded Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, in a scene captured on live television.

In 1974, the bone fragments of a 3.2 million-year-old hominid were discovered by scientists in Ethiopia; the skeletal remains were nicknamed “Lucy.”

In 1991, Queen singer Freddie Mercury died in London at age 45 of AIDS-related pneumonia.

In 2012, fire raced through a garment factory in Bangladesh that supplied major retailers in the West, killing 112 people; an official said many of the victims were trapped because the eight-story building lacked emergency exits.

In 2014, it was announced that a grand jury in St. Louis County, Missouri, had decided against indicting Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown; the decision enraged protesters who set fire to buildings and cars and looted businesses in the area where Brown had been fatally shot.

In 2017, a terrorist attack on a mosque in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula killed at least 235 people. The attack was ascribed by authorities to a local Islamic State affiliate.

In 2021, three white men were convicted of murder in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, the Black man who was running through a Georgia subdivision in February 2020 when they chased and shot him.

In 2023, Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering Black man George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured at a federal prison in Arizona. He was subsequently transferred to another prison.

Today’s Birthdays:

Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson is 87.
Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (TAG’-lee-uh-boo) is 85.
Rock drummer Pete Best is 84.
Actor-comedian Billy Connolly is 83.
Basketball Hall of Famer and former Detroit mayor Dave Bing is 82.
Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rudy Tomjanovich is 77.
Filmmaker Emir Kusturica is 71.
Actor Conleth Hill is 61.
Actor Danielle Nicolet is 52.
Author Arundhati Roy is 64.
Actor Colin Hanks is 48.
Actor Katherine Heigl (HY’-guhl) is 47.
Actor Sarah Hyland is 35.

Palm Beach girls basketball Fab Five

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 21:10

Jasleen Green, All-County basketball player from Grandview Prep photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jasleen Green, PG/SG, Grandview Prep senior: Three-time Broward Sun Sentinel Class 5A-1A girls player of the year led American Heritage in Plantation to three straight state finals appearances, winning in 2024; four-year team captain averaged 18 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals per game; surpassed 1,500 career points last year; scored 27 points to win state in 2024; University of Arizona commit; Playlist: Drake, SZA, Brent Faiyaz, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Jhene Aiko; Super power: Flying.

Ameera Kone’, All-County basketball player from Grandview Prep photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Ameera Kone, PG/W/SF, Grandview Prep junior: Two-year varsity standout and team captain at Boca High transferred to Grandview this year; holds school record for most points in a game (41), and won two district titles; averaged 28 points, 3.4 assists, 10.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals; career highlight averaging double-double last year; schools recruiting her are Coastal Carolina, FAU, UNF, UF; Playlist: Adele, Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, SZA, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Glorilla; Super Power: Telekinesis.

Alana Pinnock All-County basketball player from Somerset Academy Canyons photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Alana Pinnock, PG, Somerset Academy-Canyons sophomore: Entering fifth year on varsity and topped 1,000 points in Dec. 2024 against Pine Crest; averaged 15.7 points, 4.4 assists, 7.5 rebounds, 4.4 steals and a block a game; career highlight was reaching state for first time; holds offers from Georgetown, FAU, FSU, USF, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M; Playlist: Drake; Super power: Flying.

Tyaiwana Ousley, Fab Five basketball player from Park Vista High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Tyaiwana Ousley, PG/SG, Park Vista sophomore: Second year on varsity; averaged 25 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 blocks per game; scored 40 points in a game; recovered from severe hand injury in 2023 and thought basketball career was over, only to come back better than before; Playlist: Rod wave, Kodak Black, NBA Young Boy, and more; Super power: Reading people’s minds.

Victoria Valle, Fab Five basketball player from Grandview Prep photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Victoria Valle, PG/SG, Grandview Prep junior: Two-year captain and All-Dade selection while at Doral Academy; averaged 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals; scored 1,000 points in freshman year and has played basketball since seventh grade; career highlight was reaching state every year; also runs track and field, cross country and flag football; Playlist: Drake, Cardi B, Rod Wave, SZA, Jhene Aiko, A Boogie, Mariah the Scientist; Super power: Time control.

NEXT FIVE

Seanna Crooks, PF, Grandview Prep senior

Delanie Doty, G/F, Somerset Canyons junior

Gabby Fulton, G, St. Andrew’s sophomore

Dylande Innocent, F, Somerset Canyons senior

Sofia Rathbun, PG, King’s Academy senior

Broward girls basketball Fab Five

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 20:48

Ta’Niyah Davis, All-County basketball player from Northeast High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Ta’Niyah Davis, G/SG, Northeast senior: The two-time first team All County selection (while with American Heritage) was state runner-up last year for the Patriots after winning a state title in 2024; averaged 12.5 points, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 4 rebounds per game; Georgia State University signee transferred this season to Northeast; Playlist: Little Baby; Super power: Mind reading.

Jaelynn Housey, All-County basketball player from Nova High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jaelynn Housey, G/W/F, Nova senior: The three-year varsity starter and three-year captain averaged 18 points, 4.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 4.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game; also ran cross country and played flag football for Titans; an FAU commit; dropped 31 points, 3 assists and added 14 rebounds in her best game of the year against Miami Country Day; career accomplishment was surpassing 1,000 career points last season after barely playing freshman year; Playlist: A little bit of everything from rap to gospel; Super power: Be invisible.

Ellison McKinney, All-County basketball player from Cardinal Gibbons High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Ellison McKinney, PG/SG, Cardinal Gibbons junior: Two-year starter averaged 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6 assists. 2 steals, and nearly a block per game at Cypress Bay last year; listed as Prep Hoops girls Top 100 said career high light was scoring 18 against Coral Springs after losing in districts year before; Playlist: Drake, SZA; Super power: Teleporting.

Isabella Sangha, All-County basketball player from St. Thomas Aquinas High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Isabella Sangha, F/C, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: The Notre Dame commit and two-sport star (named Sentinel Volleyball Player of the Year) said making it to state for the first time with Raiders after not making it with Pine Crest is career highlight; Holds Pine Crest school record for points in a game (41) and points in a season; 1,000 point club ad averaged 28 points, 11.7 rebound, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals, 1.5 blocks last year. Playlist: Bryson Tiller, Drake, PND; Super power: Jumping higher.

London Thomas, All-County basketball player from St. Thomas Aquinas High School photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

London Thomas, CG, St Thomas Aquinas sophomore: Sentinel All County selection has played on varsity since the seventh grade; named to the Bog 8 All Tournament team; averaged 18.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks for Raiders; was former competitive gymnast; holds offers from FSU, Penn State, UM, Texas A&M among others; Playlist: SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake, anything new and old school R&B. Super Power: Reading minds.

NEXT FIVE

Tatum Billie, PG, Western junior

Kemora Evans, PG, Nova sophomore

Gabrielle King, SG, Dillard senior

Teriyah McFadden, PG/SG, Blanche Ely senior

Yinuo Wang, PG, American Heritage junior

Messi’s goal, 3 assists power Inter Miami past FC Cincinnati 4-0, into 1st Eastern Conference final

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 17:21

By JEFF WALLNER

CINCINNATI (AP) — Lionel Messi had a goal and three assists and Tadeo Allende scored twice as Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati 4-0 Sunday to advance to its first Eastern Conference final.

Miami will host New York City FC, a 1-0 winner over the Philadelphia Union in the other conference semifinal, on Saturday. The winner advances to the MLS Cup on Dec. 6.

“Proud of how the team played on a very, very difficult field and against a very, very tough opponent,” Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said through a translator. “I think from the first minute it wasn’t about holding back. It was about going after the game and being ourselves. I think today the players played a virtually perfect match.”

Messi set an MLS playoff record with 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists).

Cincinnati had the second-best overall record in MLS behind Philadelphia after winning the Supporters Shield last season. Cincinnati lost to the Columbus Crew in last year’s conference finals.

“Tough night to end this way,” FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. “Credit to Miami. They were better tonight. To the fans, sorry how it ended. It’s disappointing. You have to own it.”

Messi had been scoreless in three matches against Cincinnati, but that streak ended in the 19th minute Sunday when he headed a short cross from Mateo Silvetti, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, had his 11th goal in the last seven games.

Nine minutes after scoring, Messi found himself alone with the keeper, but his shot toward the far post sailed wide.

Cincinnati’s best scoring chance came in the first half when Ender Echenique sent a header across the box to Evander, who shot over the bar.

Miami had seven shots on goal to Cincinnati’s four.

“We looked confident in front of goal,” Noonan said. “We turned the ball over too much in dangerous areas. We gave too much time to Messi. We didn’t protect that space.”

Miami made it a two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half when Silvetti beat Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano with a shot from the left side of the box.

“It’s obviously an honor as a striker to score my first goal wearing this jersey,” Silvetti said via a translator. “I’m very happy. Whenever I can help the team, it’s even better, so I’m happy about that.”

Silvetti replaced Luis Suarez, who was suspended from Miami’s previous playoff match against Nashville due to violent conduct. Mascherano decided to keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.

In the 62nd minute, Messi threaded a pass through the defense to Allende, who made it 3-0. Allende scored again in the 74th minute.

Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16, and played to a scoreless draw at Fort Lauderdale on July 26. Messi was in the lineup for the first meeting, but not the second.

“We’re playing to win trophies,” Noonan said. “We’ll continue to push to make that a reality.”

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Daily Horoscope for November 24, 2025

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 17:00

General Daily Insight for November 24, 2025

The impact of minor gestures is magnified today. We start gently, since mischievous Mercury misreads healing Chiron, so small misunderstandings may nudge us to slow conversations until expectations match. As the hours roll on, the Moon faces expansive Jupiter, asking us to weigh comfort against growth while we juggle home needs with ambitious dreams. At 8:52 PM EST, wordy Mercury conjoins thoughtful Venus, inviting heartfelt talks that precede fair agreements. We can bridge almost any difference and move forward with kindness!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Trust grows when you speak with gentle courage at this time. If something’s been bothering you, bring it up, but don’t force someone to focus on it unless it’s a continual issue. Shared resources could be a particularly sore spot with Mercury in your 8th house, but you can talk out these tangles. This may involve a business partner, a platonic pal, or a romantic connection. You likely both need the security such a discussion would offer. Aim for candor, because trust makes teamwork easier.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Reliable care will make every promise stronger. Your 7th House of Partnerships brightens as mischievous Mercury meets harmonious Venus there, encouraging a clear agreement about roles while smoothing tender feelings in close bonds. You might revisit a contract and add a clearer clause about response times. After all, if you’re on call, they should be paying you for that! If a loved one seems spacey, consider offering them some comforting tea and a listening ear. Wherever you’re at, choose patient words to build lasting connections.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

An inquisitive spirit works best alongside kind support. Teamwork runs smoother when chatty Mercury joins sweet Venus in your 6th House of Work and Wellness, so productive tasks pair nicely with casual conversations. You may suggest a shared checklist to your co-worker or keep more snacks handy at home. Friendly gestures don’t have to be big to mean a lot to the recipient. Ensuring everyone has access to their needs, including you, is an incredibly valuable task. Spend today practicing simple support for your circle.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Playful chatter warms hearts faster than solemn discussions. Clever Mercury conjoins Venus within your 5th House of Delight, inviting light-hearted moments that allow everyone to feel safe expressing themselves. Plan a simple get-together at home tonight, one where your loved ones can relax into laughter and joy. Invite those you can trust to be accepting of a dip in energy levels — if you need to step outside for air, they should support that. Such gatherings are a great way to strengthen these invaluable bonds.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Home feels calmer when voices stay kind. Your 4th House of Family glows as intellectual Mercury blends with Venus, guiding household talks and care tasks to flourish with affection and effort. You might set a holiday budget with family or friends, because generous warmth helps everyone feel seen and safe. If the holidays are a tough time for you or your loved ones, pay attention to what makes those rough moments more bearable. That way, you can make plans that prioritize comfort and care.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You can talk around problems all you want, but sooner or later, you’ll have to mention the elephant in the room. Clear messages matter when messenger Mercury teams up with values-driven Venus in your chatty 3rd house. You could refine instructions for co-workers, taking care to avoid unnecessary critiques without overlooking necessary fixes. Whatever you’re up to, most messages could use a second pass before sending. Edits prevent confusion that might otherwise multiply small errors. Keep it simple, because clarity saves everyone time.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You never know unless you ask! Right now, curious Mercury is meeting money-wise Venus inside your 2nd House of Worth, making it easier to discuss pay (whether you’re the payee or payer) in a respectful way. You could ask for a discount on a less-than-satisfactory service or be offered a tip — even if your industry doesn’t typically involve tipping. A holiday bonus could also be in store! When you know your worth, you’ll be able to advocate for yourself with confidence.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your presence tells the story before your words. First impressions carry extra sweetness during the alignment between Mercury and Venus in the zone of self-identity, so your look and tone feel naturally more magnetic. Perhaps you’ll update a bio you use for work to mirror deeper changes you have been making. Feeling less professional? Consider saying hello to a neighbor you haven’t talked with much before! You could make an amazing new friend. If they don’t appreciate your vibe, that’s their problem.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

The cosmos is speaking, but you’ll need a quiet space to hear it. Your shadowed 12th house hosts a meeting between cerebral Mercury and compassionate Venus, inviting gentle reflection. Healing is best done in slower, subtle moments, so make an effort to give yourself such moments throughout the day. You might write a note of apology or forgiveness, clean a hidden corner, or cancel an exhausting plan. Share one tender thought with a trusted friend tonight, and let their reply assuage any remaining worries.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Community is strengthened by clear plans. Those plans shouldn’t be too tough to make while your friendly 11th house shines with the blessings of Mercury conjoining Venus. That said, people probably have some conflicting desires! You might propose a low-cost meetup for a professional team, because steady coordination turns goodwill into real momentum. When things are more personal, be sure to account for everyone’s preferences as much as possible. Either way, have patience with the prep for any get-together. Connections thrive with quality time.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You’ve got the touch, Aquarius! Your 10th House of Status is practically vibrating with the energy of today’s conjunction between Mercury and Venus. They’re invigorating you to shape career-defining pitches or announce a reputation-boosting idea. At home or in public, keep your tone in mind. Different situations call for different vocabularies. For example, your boss probably wouldn’t appreciate slang, but your pals may want to hear it! Tailor your talk to your audience, because that’s the best way to attract trustworthy support.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Take a moment today to view the path ahead — metaphorically speaking. What are you most excited for as the year winds to an end? This is also a good time to think about plans for next year, as Mercury uplifts pleasure-seeking Venus in your inquisitive 9th house. If you’d prefer to stay in the present, try talking with someone from a different background. Ask open questions, letting sincere curiosity turn strangers into teachers and friends. Travel and learning can expand faith and joy.

Dave Hyde: Bernie Kosar’s liver-transplant story — ‘It’s all unbelievable, isn’t it?’

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 15:40

Bernie Kosar doesn’t start with, “Hello,’’ on the other end of the phone.

He starts “It’s almost not believable — it’s Disney-type stuff.”

He’s on the ninth floor of University Hospital in Cleveland, and tells how he was being discharged last Sunday when told they finally had a liver for him. A 21-year-old Cleveland Browns fan, Ryan Dunlap, who was following Kosar’s wait for a liver transplant, had died in a medical emergency.

His family agreed to donate Ryan’s liver to Kosar.

“The odds of his liver matching me is like you or me hitting the Lotto,’’ says Kosar, the former Browns, University of Miami and Miami Dolphins quarterback. “And it matched. See, why the whole story isn’t believable? It’s all karmatically spiritual. I’ve been waiting for a liver, been told there was a transplant a few times only to be told it didn’t match. Now this happens.”

“I can see myself getting younger right in front of me.”

It’s early Sunday afternoon, six days after Kosar got his new liver, and he is waiting for his hometown Browns to watch on the TV at 4 p.m. He watched his other team, the Miami Hurricanes, beat Virginia Tech on Saturday. But his story is beyond football right now.

“I’m healing so fast, I think I’m getting discharged tomorrow,’’ he said. “I wasn’t supposed to get out for a month after the operation. Now I’m learning about my meds, anti-rejection stuff. I’m healthy, but I’m not healed. And they’re talking about me going home.

“I bet I’m talking to you in 30 hours and I’m home. If you wrote a book about it, would anyone believe this?”

Kosar has been updating his wait for a liver on social-media messages. “Like my coaches said, ‘How you do little things is how you do big things,” he said one day. Another day: “I could really use your love, support and actual prayers,” he once said.

Then, last Monday after surgery, he said from his bed, “Wow, just waking up from the surgery here.”

His path has been one of pain to that point. There was football pain. Concussions. Broken bones. He lost so many teeth from being hit — the New York Jets’ Joe Klecko knocked his molar right on the field — that he says the hardest part of recovery now is chewing food.

“I don’t have enough teeth,’’ he says.

His life after retiring from the Dolphins in 1996 involved a different pain. He didn’t take any pills as a player, but says he spent three decades taking more than 80 pills a day. And drinking. That all ended seven years ago. He has since started a wellness center and began working with the Crowley Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics to help others with mental issues.

He had problems needing help, too. Early-stage Parkinson’s disease. Multiple seizures, including a couple that put him in comas recently.

“The good part of that was I missed a couple of the Browns losses,’’ he said.

He suffered from cirrhosis of the liver, demanding the transplant.

“It’s kind of like a dream the way it happened,’’ he said. “I still can’t believe how good I feel right now. Like I said, I’m getting younger right before my eyes.”

He turns 62 on Tuesday.

“This might sound too dramatic, but I didn’t think I’d be alive for my 62nd birthday,’’ he said. “Now I’m going to walk out. I literally almost passed two months ago. I’ve been in a wheelchair for 10 weeks. Now I’m going to walk out and go home maybe as soon as (Monday).”

He started a GoFundMe page, and says the money will go to NFL players, military veterans and first responders in need. Golfer Phil Mickelson gave $20,000. Kosar’s University of Miami teammate, Jim Ferraro, gave $50,000.

“You know who’s getting helped first?” he said. “The Dunlap family. This’ll help pay for the funeral. I’m thankful for their son being a donor.”

He pauses on the ninth floor of the hospital. “It’s all unbelievable, isn’t it?”

It’s Thanksgiving this week, too, Kosar is told.

“I know,” he says near the end of a long journey. “Who has more to be thankful for than me?”

Winderman’s view: All eyes now on Herro, with winning Heat poised for boost

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 13:27

Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday’s 127-117 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers:

– For all the Heat have accomplished this season, being whole is not one of them.

– That could change Monday, amid hope that Tyler Herro will be available to make his return from September ankle surgery.

– Herro a week ago indicated he was a week away, before then skipping this Friday-Sunday trip to Chicago and Philadelphia.

– That does not necessarily mean the Heat will be wholly whole, with Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic missing the trip with hip ailments.

– But having Herro, Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell would at least let this rendition of the Heat have their version of a big three available for the first time.

– The timing of a Herro return also would ease the burden on Powell, who was on the injury report Sunday with a hip ailment of his own, before continuing on in his place in the starting lineup.

– Based on the Heat’s injury issues and challenging early-season schedule, remaining above water was key.

– That has been accomplished.

– With Adebayo now back for three games since missing six with a toe sprain.

– So who are the 2025-26 Heat?

– Should Herro return Monday, then Monday could represent a degree of a restart.

– Speaking of returns, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke pregame of the immediate impact of Adebayo in his return from the toe issue.

– “Yeah, I mean he does so many things for us offensively. But the biggest thing he’s done for us is his defense,” Spoelstra said. “Already, just in two games, we jumped to fourth in defense. I think we’re second or third for the season in the games that he’s played. But that’s what All-Stars do. He’s the leader of our group and he’s done a tremendous job.”

– As for Sunday, with Wiggins again out, the Heat for the second consecutive game opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Powell, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell.

– Also inactive and back in South Florida besides Wiggins were Herro and Jovic.

– Also inactive for the Heat were Vlad Goldin and Kasparas Jakucionis, on their G League assignments, and Terry Rozier, who is away from the team.

– With Joel Embiid again sidelined, the 76ers opened with a lineup of Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes, Justin Edwards, Paul George and Andre Drummond.

– Adebayo opened the game defensively on George, with George opening defensively on Adebayo.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. again was first off the Heat bench.

– There then was more Keshad Johnson, after his Friday night double-double against the Bulls, entering in the Heat’s second substitution, along with Simone Fontecchio and Dru Smith.

– Adebayo’s fifth basket was the 3,500th of his career.

– Powell’s second rebound was the 1,700th of his career.

– The game opened the third of the Heat’s 15 back-to-back sets this season, to conclude Monday night at Kaseya Center against the Dallas Mavericks.

– The Heat split their first back-to-back, a road set that opened with a loss to the Lakers and was followed by a victory over the Clippers.

– The Heat then swept their second back-to-back set, home victories over the Hornets and then Trail Blazers.

– The Heat return to Kaseya Center at 7-1 at home this season.

– The 76ers held a moment of silence pregame for the recent passing of former NBA player Rodney Rogers.

– Former 76ers center Theo Ratliff rang the pregame liberty bell.

– With 76ers legend Allen Iverson also among those in attendance.

– Spoelstra entered three victories from 800 in the regular season.

Heat extend win streak to four with 127-117 decision in Philadelphia behind 32 from Powell

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 13:24

It continues to be a case of not who but rather how for the Miami Heat.

With Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro back in South Florida, the Heat went into Philadelphia on Sunday and extended their winning streak to a season-best four in a row, with a 127-117 victory over the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Once again, Erik Spoelstra’s mantra of his team having enough proved more than prescient, this time with guard Norman Powell leading the way with 32 points, supported by several stat-filling efforts.

In addition, from the Heat’s big men there were 20 points and 16 rebounds from Kel’el Ware and 18 points and 13 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.

“Bam and Kel’el were monsters on the glass,” Spoelstra said, “each one of them in their own way.

On the wing, Davion Mitchell closed with 12 assists, nine rebounds and eight points, with Pelle Larsson with eight assists, six points and six rebounds.

And from the bench, 22 points from Jaime Jaquez Jr.

About the only disappointment was failing to get Mitchell the triple-double.

“We all wanted to see D-Mitch get that triple-double,” Spoelstra said. “He was so close.”

It was a robust Sunday brunch of an effort from a team that as soon as possibly Monday could have Herro in the mix for the first time this season.

About the only place where there wasn’t feasting was the foul line, where the Heat closed 20 of 30.

Still, another robust offensive effort for the league’s leading offense.

“Everybody feels involved,” Adebayo said. “Everybody is getting the ball. Everybody knows it’s controlled havoc in a sense.”

As for the 76ers, another case of being overmatched in another game missed by center Joel Embiid, with guard Tyrese Maxey pacing Philadelphia with 27 points.

Next up for the 11-6 Heat is a Monday night home game against the Dallas Mavericks, at the start of a four-game homestand.

“These are little, mini times during the season that you don’t want to over-celebrate, but we do want to acknowledge it,” Spoelstra said of the winning streak. “I don’t think anybody two months ago thought we’d be sitting third in the East. It’s not everything, but it’s something. I want our guys to enjoy it.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Sunday’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 37-27 at the end of the opening period, a quarter that featured 10 points from Powell, eight rebounds from Ware and six assists from Mitchell.

The Heat then went up 16 in the second period, only to see it all erased by a 16-0 Philadelphia run, with the Heat up 71-67 at the intermission.

The Heat pushed back to a 14-point lead in the third quarter, with the 76ers this time responding with a 10-0 run, to stand within 99-93 entering the fourth quarter.

The 76ers got it within two early in the fourth quarter, before the Heat then pushed back to a 13-point lead, holding on from there.

“When they did make a run and get it to five or six, we would come back, settle in after a timeout and come right back, and push it to 10. You want to see that kind of progress,” Spoelstra said.

2. No doubt: Having briefly left Friday night’s blowout victory over the Bulls with a groin issue and then surfacing on the injury report with what was listed as an irritated left hip, Powell not only was in the starting lineup, but active from the jump.

Setting the tone with eight of the Heat’s first 12 points, Powell had 10 points in the first period, including the Heat’s only two 3-pointers of the first quarter.

Powell then was up to 23 points by halftime, twice drawing three-shot fouls in the second period, and then another in the third. He closed 11 of 18 from the field, 4 of 7 on the 3-pointers he wasn’t fouled on.

Powell’s 19th point was the 8,500th of his career.

“What an explosive offensive talent he is,” Spoelstra said. “And the fact that he made himself available tonight, we’re really appreciative of that.”

3. Ware-with-all: Starting for the second consecutive game amid the injury absences of Wiggins and Jovic, Ware had eight rebounds and eight points in the first quarter.

Ware cashed in on yet another injury absence by Embiid, with Philadelphia again instead having to start veteran Andrew Drummond in the middle.

Ware had a double-double by halftime, at that point with 11 points and 10 rebounds, now with six double-doubles in the past seven games.

“Just playing with so much more force than he was a year ago at this time,” Spoelstra said. “He’s gaining confidence.

Ware’s rebounding was needed, with Drummond closing with 23 for the 76ers.

“Each game I’m realizing more and more that I can really have an impact on the glass to help my team out because that’s what we need,” Ware said.

4. Scrappy support: It wasn’t only about the Heat’s leading men, with the Heat’s supporting cast drawing three charges in the first half, including two drawn by Pelle Larsson and one by Dru Smith.

As is his wont, Larsson drew one of the offensive fouls with his face.

At the start of the trip, Spoelstra ahead of Friday’s game in Chicago said of Larsson, “Someone should chart how many times he’s been hit in his face with an elbow or something. I mean they chart everything, right? They’ve got to chart that somewhere. He’s definitely leading the team on that.”

5. Maxey factor: Maxey entered second in the NBA in scoring, at 33.4 points per game, coming off a 47-point outing Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. He closed 10 of 23 from the field, 5 of 14 on 3-pointers.

“You’re just seeing somebody that his confidence continues to grow,” Spoelstra said. “You know, he’s had moments like this the last couple of years. But now, because of some of the injuries, his usage has gone way up. I think he’s leading the league in touches right now.

“But you have somebody with that kind of speed, that kind of shooting ability, and he just has an exuberance with the way that he plays, that has everybody on high alert.”

Mitchell handled most of the coverage on Maxey.

“I just tried my best to put my body on him and sending him to my teammates, and I think I did a good job of that,” he said.

Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson spark Miami in 97-41 romp over Delaware State

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 13:14

CORAL GABLES — Malik Reneau had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Tre Donaldson scored 21, and neither player missed a shot from the floor as Miami steamrolled Delaware State 97-41 on Sunday.

Reneau made all 10 of his shots with a 3-pointer for the Hurricanes (5-1). His only miss came at the free-throw line where he went 3 for 4. His third double-double of the season came in only 19 minutes of play. Donaldson sank all four of his 3-pointers and shot 8 for 8 overall, making his only free throw. He added six assists.

Freshman Salih Altuntas totaled 13 points — on 6-for-7 shooting — and 11 rebounds off the bench for his first double-double for Miami. Shelton Henderson had 11 points.

Ademar Santos led the Hornets (2-5) with 10 points, but he made only 4 of 16 shots.

Reneau had 14 points and Donaldson scored 13 to lead Miami to a 50-19 advantage at halftime. The pair combined to shoot 11 for 11 as the Hurricanes shot 64.5% in taking the 31-point lead.

Miami took its largest lead at 94-35 on a layup by Altuntas with 3:37 left to play.

The Hurricanes largest margin of victory came on Nov. 20, 1998, when they beat Florida Memorial 131-72.

Delaware State shot 25.9% overall and 22.2% from 3-point range.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Today in History: November 23, Liberia elects its first woman president

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 02:00

Today is Sunday, Nov. 23, the 327th day of 2025. There are 38 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 23,2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected president of Liberia, becoming Africa’s first democratically elected female head of state. She guided her nation through recovery after its exit from a decade-long civil war.

Also on this date:

In 1863, thousands of Union soldiers under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant marched out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and battled Confederate forces through Nov. 25, forcing their retreat into Georgia in a significant blow to the South in the American Civil War.

In 1939, early in World War II, the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Rawalpindi was on patrol when it was shelled and sunk in an engagement with two German warships southeast of Iceland, leaving more than 200 dead aboard the Rawalpindi and only a few dozen survivors.

In 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Nov. 25 a day of national mourning following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In 1971, the People’s Republic of China was seated in the United Nations Security Council.

In 1980, an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people were killed by a series of earthquakes that devastated southern Italy.

In 1984, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie completed one of the most famous passes in college football history, connecting with Gerald Phelan for a 48-yard touchdown with no time left on the clock as Boston College defeated the Miami Hurricanes 47-45.

In 1996, a hijacked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 ran out of fuel and crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoro Islands, killing 125 of the 175 people on board, including all three hijackers.

In 2006, former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko (leet-vee-NYEN’-koh) died in London from radiation poisoning after making a deathbed statement blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In 2008, the U.S. government unveiled a bold plan to rescue Citigroup, injecting a fresh $20 billion into the troubled firm as well as guaranteeing hundreds of billions of dollars in risky assets.

In 2011, Yemen’s authoritarian President Ali Abdullah Saleh (AH’-lee ahb-DUH’-luh sah-LEH’) agreed to step down amid a fierce uprising to oust him after 33 years in power. (After formally ceding power in February 2012, he was killed in 2017 by Houthi rebels who were once his allies.)

In 2024, Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more, the latest strikes in renewed fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants. (A U.S.-brokered cease-fire would be reached on Nov. 27, with sporadic violations of that truce for months afterward.)

Today’s Birthdays:

Actor Franco Nero (“Django”) is 84.
Singer Bruce Hornsby is 71.
TV journalist Robin Roberts (“Good Morning America”) is 65.
Composer Nicolas Bacri is 64.
Poet and author Jennifer Michael Hecht is 60.
Olympic gold medal sprinter Asafa Powell is 43.
Ice hockey player Nicklas Bäckström is 38.
Singer-actor Miley Cyrus is 33.

Bianchi: UCF escapes, Scott Frost exhales and reality sets in

South Florida Local News - Sun, 11/23/2025 - 02:00

The first season of the Scott Frost Homecoming Tour came to an end Saturday evening in UCF’s Bounce House finale. Not with fireworks. Not with the soundtrack of 2017 echoing from the rafters. Not with the frenzied energy that accompanied his return in December.

It ended with a sigh of relief.

It ended with a win, yes — a come-from-behind last-minute 17-14 victory over a truly terrible Oklahoma State team that has spent the season auditioning for the role of Worst Team in the Power 4. But it was a win nonetheless and it kept UCF’s slim hopes of a bowl game alive heading into next week’s regular-season finale at 11th-ranked BYU.

It’s certainly not a stretch to say that the romance of Scott Frost’s return in December now has turned to reality. And maybe that’s the story of this game. Not that Frost’s Knights won, but that the novelty of his return has worn off — and the long, slogging truth of a rebuild has settled over Knight Nation like a damp, unwelcome fog.

Frost’s demeanor after the game wasn’t that of a coach who had just rallied from 14 down in the second half and recorded a dramatic victory on a 34-yard-field goal from kicker Noe Ruelas with 57 seconds left. No, it was the look of a coach who knows he still is at the foot of Mount Everest and aware that the real climb has just begun.

“It’s been what it is; it’s been a fight,” Frost said of his first season at UCF. “When you get 70 new guys in the portal and try to teach them offense and defense when you don’t even know the [existing] guys on your team, much less the guys you’re bringing in, we’ve had some unusual circumstances this year.

“I love UCF and I love coaching here,” he added, “but I hate losing and we’ve lost more than I wanted to this year. Once that gets fixed, I’m going to be really happy.”

Saturday was supposed to be a celebration — Senior Day, the home finale, and a golden opportunity to rechristen UCF as something more than a Big 12 speed bump. Oklahoma State came in at 1-9, fresh off firing longtime coach Mike Gundy earlier this season, and sporting the type of résumé normally associated with teams that are transitioning back to FCS.

If there was ever a game to pump optimism back into the bloodstream of the fanbase, this was it. But whenever you come thisclose to losing at home to a team that hasn’t won a conference game in two years, it certainly puts a damper on the celebration.

Knight Nation entered the year drunk on Frost’s return, but this season has certainly sobered up the fans. They’ve stopped dreaming of Camelot, and now they’re living in the real world — the world where UCF has been injury-riddled and depth-depleted and clawing its way uphill in a conference filled with teams that recruit with richer wallets and deeper rosters.

The glow of Frost’s December hiring has given way to the harsh glare of the field lights Saturday night that illuminated all the cracks — roster cracks, depth-chart cracks and the discipline lapses that keep drawing penalty flags.

But at least — on this night — they beat the worst team in the Big 12.

The Knights didn’t need magic, miracles or Frosty the Showman’s pyrotechnics. They needed something simpler.

They just needed a win.

And they got exactly that, albeit a sloppy, unspectacular victory over a bad opponent. Still, it was the type of game rebuilding programs absolutely must win if they want to prove they’re making progress — no matter how incremental.

The Knights didn’t dominate by any means, but they made the big plays they needed to make. Trailing 14-0 at halftime, UCF opened the second half with an 83-yard touchdown pass from Tayven Jackson to Dylan Wade. UCF then tied the game with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter when Jackson found Wade again in the end zone on a fourth-and-goal at the 2.

Meanwhile, UCF’s defense allowed Oklahoma State only one first down and 27 total yards in the second half after yielding 201 yards of total offense in the first half.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t euphoric.

But it was a win.

A win that gives UCF something to cling to. Something that could still become quite meaningful next week.

Believe it or not, UCF still has a chance — however faint — to make a bowl game.

Yes, that UCF.

Yes, the same UCF team that got face-planted by Baylor and outclassed by Texas Tech.

Yes, the same UCF team that has spent most of the season limping from quarterback injury to the next.

If Frost can take a 4-8 roster, hemorrhaging talent and held together by baling wire, and get it to six wins — including a road win at ranked BYU — then that is nothing short of a miracle.

It would validate the foundation Frost keeps talking about.

It would give the offseason a jolt of momentum.

It would give the fans a reason to believe the rebuild may be slow — but it’s real.

And even if the odds of a bowl game are long, the mere possibility injects life into a fanbase that has spent the month wading ankle-deep through despair.

And even if they fall short in Provo, the win over Oklahoma State still mattered.

It mattered because it prevented rock-bottom.

It mattered because it showed UCF is at least slightly above the basement of the Big 12.

It mattered because winning, even ugly winning, creates belief.

And belief is the currency Frost is trying to rebuild.

But let’s not pretend everything is sunny in the Kingdom of Camelot. Frost knows what he inherited. He knows how far this program has fallen. And he knows that starting next season he will start being measured by results instead of nostalgia.

But the Knights won on Saturday and still have a chance to make the postseason. That’s at least a step upward.

A small step.

A quiet step.

But a step.

And to get anywhere — in football and in life — you have to take a small step before you can make major strides.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen

Florida pummeled by Tennessee as Vols end two-decade drought in Swamp

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 21:09

GAINESVILLE — A pregame talk from championship coach Urban Meyer, a long-awaited return to the Swamp and a visit from rival Tennessee did little to slow Florida’s season-ending free fall.

The Gators actually hit new lows Saturday night while the Vols pummeled them 31-11 to end a 10-game losing streak in Gainesville.

On a night to celebrate Meyer’s Dec. 9 induction into the College Football Hall of the Fame, the Gators gave the 61-year-old icon and a reported crowd of 90,465 little else to cheer. UF announced plans to induct Meyer into the Ring of Honor in 2026 on a night Gators dishonored a man who never lost to Tennessee in six tries and instead embarrassed themselves.

Interim coach Billy Gonzales — Meyer’s receivers coach at three stops, including UF from 2005-09 — along with his staff and his players failed to put up a fight against the Vols (8-3, 4-3 SEC) as the Gators’ losing streak reached four games to end SEC play.

“It’s not fun. It’s not good,” he said. “It sucks for me to be up here.”

Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales watches the Gators during a 31-11 loss to Tennessee Saturday night in the Swamp. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

With a national TV audience tuned in and renowned analyst Kirk Herbstreit in the house, UF (3-8, 2-6) quickly fell behind 14-0 and trailed 21-0 with 13:08 remaining in second quarter, having gained 1 yard to Tennessee’s 202. The Vols scored on their first four possessions, led 31-0 at halftime and coasted to their first victory in Gainesville since 2003.

“We were filled with joy, relief,” Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis said. “Coming down here and winning in the Swamp is never an easy task. Every single game is personal, but this one holds a little more weight to us, to the fanbase, to our coaches.”

UF squandered an early chance to stay in the game when quarterback DJ Lagway and tailback Jadan Baugh connected for a 42-yard completion. But a penalty by Austin Barber negated it, drawing boos from the crowd.

“It deflates you,” Gonzales said. “It’s hard to dig yourself out of a hole when you have a big play and all of a sudden now you’re moving behind the sticks.”

Things soon began to snowball.

The performance was Florida’s worst showing in the Swamp since Missouri staked a 42-0 lead during homecoming in 2014 en route to a 42-13 win during Will Muschamp’s final season.

After fans belted out Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down” following the third quarter, they bolted for the exit to leave the Swamp as sparsely filled as a spring game.

Florida will host Florida State (5-6) looking to avoid a season with fewer than four wins for the first time since an 0-10-1 finish in 1979.

“Make the main thing the main thing,” Baugh said. “We were all recruited here to play football and finish the mission.”

But whatever happens against the struggling Seminoles, the Gators hope to win big in the Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes. The Ole Miss coach announced Friday he will reveal his plans a day after the No. 6 Rebels visit Mississippi State on Friday.

Former Florida head coach Urban Meyer watches the first half of the Gators' loss to Tennessee, the Vols' first win in Gainesville since 2003. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Ole Miss, LSU and UF are vying for the 50-year-old’s service, with each school reportedly offering Kiffin around $13 million annually. Whoever becomes their next head coach, the Gators will require a significant overhaul and attitude adjustment.

Since Billy Napier’s Oct. 19 ouster, Gonzales and the Florida players have declared their allegiance to each other and to their university. But the Gators were a no-show in both a 38-7 loss Nov. 8 at Kentucky and Saturday night.

“We want to continue to fight, continue to win,” Gonzales said. “I just got done telling them sometimes life has to break you completely before you truly discover who you are. That kind of resonates with me.

“You’re searching, obviously. There’s been a lot of change and a lot of different emotions that have went on through these last five weeks.”

Saturday night may have been the low point.

The Kentucky loss came on the heels of an emotional 24-20 loss to Georgia Nov. 1 in Jacksonville. Against Tennessee, the Gators were back home for the first time since a narrow win Oct. 18 against Mississippi State, the day before UF fired Napier.

The Vols were 4.5-point favorites, but a sellout crowd and Meyer’s powerful presence set the stage for an electric atmosphere and competitive game.

Instead, the Gators never had a chance.

Tennessee scored on its first four possessions, finished 9-of-13 on third down and piled up 452 yards. Florida managed just 261 yards and was 2-of-9 on third down.

Florida extended its scoring streak of 472 consecutive games on a 46-yard field goal by Trey Smack with 2:04 remaining. The kick drew a mild cheer, given Smack had missed earlier from 38 yards, ending a streak of 13 straight field goals.

A 33-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to Baugh later cut Tennessee’s insurmountable lead to 31-9 with 8:15 to go. Baugh has been a rare spot for the Gators. Early Saturday night, he became the first Gator since Kelvin Taylor in 2015 with more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Baugh finished with 96 rushing yards and another 35 receiving to give him 1,114 yards from scrimmage in 2025. But it was small consolation for the 20-year-old sophomore.

“It’s been difficult the whole season,” he said. “But we continue to just keep coming in the facility and giving our best. To the game, Florida State, it’s another day in the office, going in there, keeping our head on straight, and preparing the right way.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Gifts any beauty or product lover will adore

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 19:53

Find amazing beauty gifts for everyone on your list

If there’s someone on your holiday shopping list who just can’t get enough of new makeup, skin care, hair and bath products, consider yourself lucky. With a wide range of beauty-related gifts available, there are plenty of options to suit every budget, making your holiday shopping a little easier.

If you really want to wow your beauty-obsessed loved ones, though, we’ve got you covered. We’ve found the most exciting beauty and self-care gifts for anyone who lives to try new products and beauty gadgets.

Best gifts for beauty lovers

Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

This powerful hair dryer makes drying and styling much easier, thanks to its lightweight design, which is 20% lighter than Dyson’s previous models. It includes five intelligent attachments that can dry hair quickly, de-tangle, smooth flyaways, focus air precisely, reduce frizz and define curls. Each attachment is preprogrammed with a precise temperature range and speed options, too, to eliminate the guesswork from styling.

Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush

This lightweight cream blush blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural flush that even beginners can achieve. It contains vitamin E to help nourish the skin and micro-fine pigments that provide a sheer wash of color. Best of all, it can also be used on the lips.

NuFACE TRINITY + Microcurrent Facial Device Kit

Utilizing microcurrent technology, this at-home treatment device helps tighten and lift the skin for a firmer appearance. It provides both instant and long-term results, sculpting the face and neck and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The kit also includes NuFACE’s hydrating gel moisturizer and a firming and brightening cream to help boost your results.

Abib Pink Me UP PDRN 3-Step Glow Kit

This easy-to-use kit is inspired by K-beauty’s glass skin trend, delivering three products that help provide a healthy, glowing complexion. It includes a collagen lip mask to hydrate and smooth, retinal eye patches to reduce puffiness and dark circles and an overnight collagen mask to firm the face. The products are suitable for all skin types.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

This award-winning body cream contains caffeine to help visibly tighten the skin and cupuacu butter for intense hydration. It absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving no greasy residue. It also features a heavenly scent with notes of salted caramel, vanilla and pistachio.

ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

This vegan, cruelty-free lip balm contains ingredients, including sea succulent, rosehip oil, and shea butter, which hydrate, nourish and soften the lips. It also contains a sheer wash of buildable color, making it perfect for no-makeup makeup days. It is available in eight flattering shades, including a peachy nude and a warm cranberry.

Shark Flex Style Air Styling and Drying System

This versatile and powerful dryer is perfect for all hair types, allowing you to dry and style with a single tool. It measures the heat 1,000 times per second to help prevent heat damage and transforms from dryer to styling wand by simply rotating its head. It includes five styling attachments, including a diffuser to define curls.

Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer

With micro-steam technology, this steamer will make your facial-obsessed friend feel like they just left the spa. It features a compact, lightweight design that makes it easy to store, while its wide nozzle provides full steam coverage to hydrate and detoxify the skin. It also features an automatic shut-off mechanism for added peace of mind.

Live Tinted Huestick

This multitasking crayon can add color to your eyes, lips and cheeks for a no-fuss makeup routine. It has an extremely hydrating formula with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, making it perfect for cold, dry winter weather. It is available in five shades and blends effortlessly with fingers, a brush or even a sponge.

Youth To The People Superberry Dream Mask

Dry skin doesn’t stand a chance with a rich, hydrating overnight mask. It contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and plump the skin, while vitamin C and other antioxidants help brighten and fight environmental damage. Best of all, it’s versatile — you can use it as an overnight mask, a night cream or a daily moisturizer.

ETOILE Duo Vanity Case

This convenient travel case makes it easy to take all your favorite makeup, skin care and hair care products on the go. It features two spacious zippered compartments, perfect for holding large makeup palettes, as well as a stainproof lining to prevent spills. It is also made of vegan leather, offering a chic yet durable design.

DRMTLGY Brightening Eye Masks

Infused with potent antiaging ingredients, these eye masks help hydrate the delicate skin under the eyes for a brighter, more rested appearance. They contain caffeine and niacinamide to help reduce puffiness, as well as hyaluronic acid to boost moisture. They are also dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Bobrovsky pulled as Oilers end winless streak by topping shorthanded Panthers in Cup rematch

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 19:46

By TIM REYNOLDS

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Jack Roslovic scored twice, Evan Bouchard had three assists and the Edmonton Oilers topped the Florida Panthers 6-3 on Saturday night in a matchup of the teams that played for the Stanley Cup in each of the last two seasons.

Connor McDavid and Matt Savoie had empty-netters for Edmonton to seal the win. Mattias Ekholm and Vasily Podkolzin also scored for the Oilers, who were back in Sunrise for the first time since seeing Florida celebrate its second consecutive Cup title last June.

Stuart Skinner stopped 35 shots for the Oilers, who snapped a three-game winless slide and salvaged a 3-3-1 record from their seven-game trip. The Oilers got a road regulation win for the second time this season; they were 4-8-3 away from home entering Saturday, with three of those wins in overtime or a shootout.

Mackie Samoskevich, Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell scored for Florida.

Of the 18 skaters who were in the lineup for Florida in the Cup-clinching Game 6 victory last season over the Oilers, only 10 were on the ice Saturday. Aaron Ekblad (illness, expected to play Monday) was a scratch, added to the list of injured that already had Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Dmitry Kulikov, Eetu Luostarinen, Jonah Gadjovich and Tomas Nosek — all part of the Cup-clinching group last year — on it.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky got chased in the second period after allowing four goals on 17 shots.

Roslovic set the tone by simply flicking the puck toward the net 25 seconds into the contest and seeing it squirt through Bobrovsky’s pads for a 1-0 lead. After Lundell tied it, Roslovic struck again 36 seconds later for the goal that put the Oilers on top for good.

Podkolzin scored from a very sharp angle for a 4-1 lead, ending Bobrovsky’s night.

Up next

Oilers: Host Dallas on Tuesday.

Panthers: Visit Nashville on Monday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

FAU, after rallying to lead after trailing 24-3, gets edged by UConn

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 17:18

BOCA RATON — Joe Fagnano threw three touchdown passes and Cam Edwards scored two rushing touchdowns, including a game-winning score in the final minute to lead UConn to a 48-45 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Edwards had 101 yards on the ground, and scored twice from a yard out in the second half. His final score came with 26 seconds left, retaking the lead for UConn in a game that had five lead changes.

Caden Veltkamp found Jayshon Platt for 27 yards and Easton Messer for 29 yards in the span of 15 seconds to set up a 36-yard field goal to tie it, but Garrison Smith missed the field goal wide left.

The Huskies (9-3) went up 24-3 in the first quarter after Fagnano threw touchdown passes on three consecutive drives. Fagnano was 33-of-46 passing for 446 yards. He entered the game fourth in the country in yards passing, finishing the regular season with 3,448 yards.

The win marks the first time UConn has netted consecutive nine-win seasons, both under coach Jim Mora.

Veltkamp accounted for four touchdowns and a program record of 494 yards passing for the Owls (4-7). He was 42 of 55 with two touchdowns — including a 90-yard connection — and an interception. He entered sixth in the country in passing yards, and ended with 3,458 passing yards with one game remaining.

Veltkamp kept it for an 11-yard touchdown with 2:11 remaining to give the Owls a lead after finding Messer for a 33-yard score five minutes earlier.

Messer entered the day with the second-most receptions in the country, and an 11-catch, 119-yard day improved that tally to 94 on the season. ___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

UCF needs second-half heroics to push past Oklahoma State in home finale

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 17:09

It all began when a few fans climbed to the top of the north side of Acrisure Bounce House Stadium during the second quarter of UCF’s home finale against Oklahoma State.

More fans soon joined them, taking off their shirts and waving them defiantly.

What started as a small group quickly turned into a wave of shirtless supporters. The trend had taken hold in Orlando and was in full swing on Saturday afternoon.

Whatever the cause, this display ignited a spark in a struggling UCF team as the Knights rallied to secure a 17-14 win over the Cowboys on Senior Day.

Kicker Noe Ruelas connected on a 34-yard field goal with 57 seconds left for the win.

Safety Braeden Marshall intercepted Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores to seal the win.

“Shout out to them. That’s when we started rallying,” said Ruelas, who was named a Lou Groza semifinalist earlier in the week. “I’m not going to lie, but it was a big section up there. It’s been going around in college football, and it was fun to see it tonight.”

UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) snapped a three-game losing streak while moving one game closer to being bowl eligible after missing out last season. The victory is also the 40th career win for Scott Frost in 8 seasons.

“Saying it wasn’t a great first half is probably an understatement,” Frost said. “But the message at halftime was my challenge all week, which was that we’ve got to play hard and we’ve got to play fast. They came out and got a spark on the first play and the defense played a tremendous second half.”

Oklahoma State (1-10, 0-8 Big 12) did not resemble a team ranked No. 122 in total offense as the Cowboys efficiently moved down the field on their opening possession. Flores connected with receiver Gavin Freeman in the flat for a 5-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead.

It was the third time in the last four games that UCF allowed a touchdown on the opponent’s opening possession.

The Knights’ initial possession didn’t go as planned as pre-snap penalties continued to be a downfall. A false-start penalty turned what could have been a manageable 4th-and-1 into a challenging 4th-and-6, ultimately forcing UCF to punt instead of going for it.

The defense stepped up on OSU’s next possession, stopping the Cowboys on a 4th-and-1 at the UCF 39.

But quarterback Tayven Jackson’s pass to Carl Jenkins Jr. was tipped and intercepted by cornerback Cam Smith. It was Jackson’s seventh interception of the season and the fifth consecutive game in which he’s thrown a pick.

UCF failed to score in the first quarter for the sixth time this season.

Oklahoma State tacked on an additional touchdown late in the second quarter as Flores scampered six yards into the end zone with 50 seconds left in the half.

Central Florida linebacker Cole Kozlowski (43) breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida running back Jaden Nixon (5) rushes for yardage past Oklahoma State cornerback Raymond Gay II (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida kicker Noe Ruelas (16) celebrates his game-winning field goal with long snapper Dalton Riggs (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida wide receiver Waden Charles (19) runs past Oklahoma State safety Landyn Cleveland, center, and cornerback Raymond Gay II (27) after catching a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) scrambles for yardage past Oklahoma State defensive tackle Iman Oates (99) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida kicker Noe Ruelas, right, kicks his game-winning field goal during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida defensive back DJ Bell (5) breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State wide receiver Terrill Davis (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson, who finished 16 of 25 for 271 yards, looks to throw during the first half of the Knights' victory against Oklahoma State on Saturday. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida linebacker Cole Kozlowski (43) breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Despite Saturday’s win against lowly Oklahoma State, UCF coach Scott Frost knows his team has a long way to go. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores (6) escapes from the pressure of Central Florida defensive tackle John Walker (55) and defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Oklahoma State wide receiver Gavin Freeman (17) scores a 5-yard touchdown on a pass play between Central Florida defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) and linebacker Cole Kozlowski, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida athletics director Terry Mohajir looks on from the sideline before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Fans wave their shirts in the stands during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Central Florida and Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida linebacker Keli Lawson (0) and defensive back Phillip Dunnam (2) pursue Oklahoma State wide receiver Gavin Freeman (17) after a pass catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Oklahoma State cornerback Ladainian Fields (9) intercepts a pass intended for Central Florida wide receiver Waden Charles (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Oklahoma State safety Parker Robertson (8) and safety Kenneth Harris (23) break up a pass intended for Central Florida wide receiver Waden Charles, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida cornerback Jayden Bellamy (29) breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State wide receiver Terrill Davis (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida wide receiver Waden Charles, right, runs after catching a pass in front of Oklahoma State safety Parker Robertson (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Oklahoma State wide receiver Terrill Davis (2) is tackled by Central Florida linebacker Lewis Carter, left, and defensive back Phillip Dunnam (2) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida head coach Scott Frost, right, greets players arriving to the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)
Central Florida head coach Scott Frost, left, follows players arriving to the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 23Central Florida linebacker Cole Kozlowski (43) breaks up a pass intended for Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/Special to the Sentinel) Expand

Jackson was intercepted for the second time on UCF’s next possession as the Knights went into the half scoreless for the first time since the opener against Jacksonville State on Aug. 28.

“I hate throwing picks, but it’s a part of the game,” said Jackson, who finished 16 of 25 for 271 yards with two touchdowns. “Everyone throws picks. Go watch football on TV, but I’ve got to fix those areas, too, because that hurt us. I’ve got to learn from them.”

The redshirt junior redeemed himself a bit to start the second half, finding tight end Dylan Wade open racing down the sideline for an 83-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7. It was the longest touchdown pass of the season for the Knights and the second straight game with a touchdown for Wade.

“We actually knew about the play all week,” Wade said. “We knew it was going to be a big hitter and he called at the right moment, first play out of half.”

It was a back-and-forth affair after that as both teams struggled to get much going offensively.

After UCF drove inside Oklahoma State territory, getting to the Cowboys’ 2 and facing a 4th-and-2, Jackson found Wade for his second touchdown of the game, tying things up at 14 apiece with 9:12 left.

Wade finished with a career-high 145 yards on four catches and two touchdowns.

After surrendering 14 points and 207 yards in the first half, UCF’s defense played lights-out after halftime, with the Knights allowing just one first down and 27 yards.

“The defense played a great second half,” said Frost. “I wish we could do that the whole game and just really grind down on somebody, but you can’t. I can’t say anything bad about the way that the defense played in the second half.”

UCF finished with 396 yards of offense while holding Oklahoma State to 228 yards.

The Cowboys have lost 10 straight games this season for 17 consecutive conference losses.

The Knights wrap up the regular season with a trip to face No. 11 BYU on Saturday.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Daily Horoscope for November 23, 2025

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 17:00

General Daily Insight for November 23, 2025

We have more power than we might think. As the luminous Sun forms a cooperative sextile with transformative Pluto at 2:20 PM EST, we can recognize where steady effort invites meaningful change. Morning conversations might reveal unexpectedly simple fixes. Meanwhile, afternoon choices flow smoothly as we align intentions with actions and share support. By evening, the mood should steady. Small promises kept rebuild trust and help us close the day feeling more capable and a little lighter. Choose one doable change and stick with it!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Fresh ideas point you toward distant horizons. The energetic Sun leaps into frame with powerful Pluto, turning your 9th House of Updates and your 11th House of Society into transformative opportunities to move and grow. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive — but if it is out of your budget, you can still send your mind to distant locales by joining a local library’s book club. Talk about the things that interest you, because such conversations shape your future plans. Say yes to learning!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Secure choices come from honest talks. Money isn’t always fun to talk about, but at least you have the Sun and Pluto guiding you through such complicated conversations. Their sextile can boost your efforts to review joint budgets, renegotiate bills, or attack shared debt. Make an effort to ensure everyone involved is clear about their role — that’s the best way to stay accountable as a team. You can be patient without being pushy, especially in regard to money owed. Reliability strengthens every bond.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Present partnerships work best with curious, kind words. A bridge forms in your one-on-one sector as the Sun reaches out from there to sextile intimate Pluto. When you promise something, make sure the person you’re talking to understands what you actually mean. Drafting plans for shared travel (especially with several upcoming winter holidays) will be easier when you can trust each other’s words. Stay open to compromise as necessary, but don’t back down from your needs. Speak gently and directly, letting open dialogue nurture trust.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Simple routines now carry emotional relief. The radiant Sun makes a cooperative sextile with intimate Pluto, highlighting your 6th House of Daily Routines and your caring 8th house. Minor changes in your habits nurture bigger positive shifts. You may adjust a work schedule to avoid having to take work home, or set boundaries around which areas of the house are actually your responsibility to clean. Going forward, consistency will be vital to support your professional (or personal) community. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your spark wants a playful place to land. Your expressive 5th house gets a warm lift as the blissful Sun sextiles renewing Pluto, inviting bold expression and heartfelt connection. You may plan a coffee meet-up with a close friend, especially one you haven’t seen lately. Show them some appreciation, and they may return the favor! Pride softens into generosity when you remember the goal is joy, so share the stage and let praise be a two-way street. Create without overthinking, because play unlocks confidence.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Your home base might need a reset, Virgo. Today’s Sun-Pluto sextile is clarifying your domestic needs, especially those small but vital tasks like sweeping or laundry. Is everyone in your home doing their part? Even though Virgos are seen as tidy individuals, the cleaning shouldn’t be entirely on you. If you live alone, how can you make your routines easier to uphold? For instance, putting a hamper in the bathroom could banish dirty clothes from the floor there. Simple shifts can help a lot!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Words land softly when your heart stays balanced. The feisty Sun is leaping into a sextile with eager Pluto. They’re impacting your chatty 3rd house and your loving 5th house, encouraging you to reach out to your neighbors and the nearby community. You may text a sibling to mend a mix-up or invite a friend to try a new hobby together. Don’t take offense if someone rejects you — sometimes it happens, and you know how to handle it with grace. Social peace is possible.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

What does “value” mean to you right now? That’s the question of the day under the sextile between the Sun in your income quadrant and Pluto in your foundation sector. This is a cosmic reminder to price your time fairly and keep an eye on your expenditures. Experience will tell you whether or not brand names are actually worth it. The planets are empowering you to release guilt and stand by your choices. You know the right time to pick the more expensive option!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A fresh spark lights your inner fire. You can fan those embers into a flame while the dynamic Sun shares a sextile with intense Pluto, boosting your confidence and inviting you to express yourself. Work up the courage to suggest a unique path forward! Your messages are also more likely to land with your audience at this time. One intriguing idea could be enough to get everyone in on your plans! Keep the fire burning by being willing to face potential mistakes with honest action.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Quiet time restores your steady inner engine. The mighty Sun is invigorating dark Pluto, drawing attention to your dreamy 12th house. Taking a nap is sometimes the most productive thing you can do! You could also take a walk or spend time journaling — both are great ways to release old aches. Along the way, your resourceful 2nd house supports simple comfort without overspending. Your patient nature makes space for quiet closure, because settling the past frees energy for future goals. Protect your rest.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your loved ones can currently offer a boost — even unintentionally. Pluto’s in your sign, empowering the trine from the Sun in your social 11th house to magnify efforts to help one another. You may propose a volunteer day that tests a community tool or let your friends bring over a meal to share. Everyone’s got their quirks, and everyone needs assistance sometimes. A shared burden will be less stressful for all contributors. Whatever happens, you can all have fun together!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your calling whispers in a level voice. Opportunity flows toward your path while the shimmering Sun sextiles unearthing Pluto, focusing your 10th House of Career so leadership feels natural and visibility grows. You may take on a project needing coordination, so a thoughtful update to a supervisor should land well. At home, your 12th house encourages reflection before each step. Your sensitivity becomes strength when you listen to the subtext, since empathy can turn tension into a workable plan. Lead quietly, but with confidence.

Spanish River’s Preston Sangely wins school’s first boys cross country title

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 16:15

Heading into the FHSAA state cross country meet, Spanish River senior Preston Sangely said there were nerves, but they were tempered.

“I was a little nervous,” said Sangely, who finished 53rd at the Class 4A state meet last year. “I would say the nerves left me around the 2-mile mark of the race. I was just waiting for the wall and when I saw no one close to me, I knew I got this.”

Sangely 15:22.50 won state meet at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on Saturday morning by five seconds over East Ridge junior Axel Sallault to help the Sharks finish third with 197 points. Western was the top Broward boys finisher in 25th place.

Sangely joins Sara Darling (1998) as Spanish River runners to capture an individual state championship.

Spanish River senior Ryan Cook (16:25.90) was 28th, freshman Avery Rand (16:36.00) was 39th and junior Casey Sangely was 55th (16:51.70).

South Plantation junior David Lazo (16:07.01) finished 16th. Flanagan junior Malcolm Spence IV was 27th (16:24.50). Western senior Lara Santiago (16:59.00) was 63rd, while Wildcats junior Sebastian Nunez-Silva (16:59.7) was 65th. Jupiter junior Matthew Ward was 66th (16:59.8).

O’Brien takes fourth in girls 4A state meet

Boca Raton senior Katelyn O’Brien was fourth at the state meet with a 18:10.90 clocking. Riverview sophomore Madison Muller won the race with a time of 17:37.70.

“My race was pretty solid,” said O’Brien, who ran 19:02 on the same course last year at the state meet. “I had the big time drop. Of course, I would have liked to win it, but my performance and my team qualifying was very gratifying.”

O’Brien is headed to the University of North Florida next year.

Boca Raton senior Katelyn O’Brien was fourth at the state meet with a 18:10.90 clocking at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on Saturday morning. (Katelyn O’Brien /Courtesy)

Spanish River junior Alba Antunez-Perez was sixth in 18:20.30, while teammate Lailani Levy, a freshman, was 11th (18:42.20). Spanish River freshman Makaela Morilla (19:41.50) was 21st. Spanish River sophomore Juilia D’Emic (20:03.80) was 50th, just ahead of St. Thomas Aquinas freshman Elise Brown (20:04.1).

The Sharks finished second as a team with 139 points, just three points behind Creekside. St. Thomas Aquinas was the top Broward finisher with 253 points to finish sixth overall. Boca Raton was 11th (358 points).

“We were in sixth place at the two-mile mark,” Sharks coach Doug Horn said of his girls. “We really closed the gap in the last mile. It was also the first time that the girls made the podium in 27 years (1998). Makaela had a great day, and Olivia (Downs, a sophomore) passed 17 people in the last mile.”

Antunez-Perez, who moved to Boca Raton from Spain in the offseason, said she was proud of her race strategy. She also said her team provides a lot of competition and motivation.

“We are very happy,” she said. “In training we just push each other. Today it was really hot, but I got used to it. In the summer it was 96 degrees training in Florida and it was like 70 in Spain.”

Boca Raton senior Geneveve Story (19:34.60) was 26th; St. Thomas Aquinas freshman Kendall Parrott was 44th (19:54.40); and Wellington senior Kirsten Maarsingh was 12th (18:48.90).

Dillard finishes fifth in girls 3A

Dillard was fifth with 153 points as Chiles won the girls 3A championship with 107 points ahead of defending state champion Ponte Vedra (119).

Dillard freshman Shynah Collins led the Panthers by finishing 12th (19:08.40). Dillard senior Abigail Richards (19:12.00) was 15th. Dillard freshman Miley Gill was 45th (20:01.30), while Dillard junior Peyton Williams (20:08.50, 51st), and Dillard junior Kelly Green (20.09.9) finished 55th.

Dillard coach Davidson Gill was disappointed with the outcome. Several of his runners missed time during the season due to injury and Gill felt that played a role.

“I know what we have talent-wise and I felt we had a shot,” Gill said. “We had a rough year as far as injuries and trying to keep everyone together. With the adversity we went through and the kids coming back (from injury) late and not being able to compete, it just wasn’t enough to compete (today). It is disappointing, but I hope this motivates them for the future. It still is a pretty young team.”

Freshman helps Westminster Academy get fifth in 1A

Westminster Academy wound up fifth overall in the 1A girls race with 171 points, one point behind Holy Trinity.

Providence won tiebreaker over Oak Hall after both teams tied with 132 points. for the state title. Benjamin was 20th overall (477).

Westminster freshman Avery Carvell (19:35.2) was 10th, while Lions junior Noelle Richardson was 13th (19:41.00). Westminster Academy senior Eugenia Fantoni (20:48.20) was 42nd.

South Florida HEAT senior Naomie Debomy was 15th (19:50.60). Teammate Grace Dorn, a freshman, was 40th (20:45.40), and Sheridan Hills Christian senior Mireille Gomez (20:46.4) was 41st.

“We had two girls medal and I was very pleased with their performance,” said Westminster coach Brad Lindbergh by phone. “It was a hot morning, and with the hills and such, it is not a race where you go in expecting fast times. It’s a championship course.”

Carvell said she put in the work this season and it paid off.

“I was definitely hoping to medal and get on the podium,” said Carvell, who finished 112th last year at the meet. “After last year, I told myself I wanted to make the podium. I wasn’t expecting 10th place…next year I am hoping to her top-3.”

Westminster Academy sixth in 1A boys

Westminster Academy was sixth in the Class 1A boys race with 231 points. Providence easily won the division with 60 points.

Sheridan Hills Christian (375) and the South Florida HEAT (408) were 13th and 14th respectively. Jupiter Christian was the top Palm Beach finisher taking 17th (468 points).

Highlands Christian junior Benjamin Francis (16:35.90) was the top local finisher from South Florida taking 15th with a clocking of 16:35.90.

Westminster Academy junior Lucas Latimore was 17th (16:43.70), while senior teammate Scott Sanok (17:16.80) finished 30th. South Florida HEAT senior Joseph Dorn ran 17:09.70 and finished 28th.

Cardinal Gibbons girls top 10 in Class 2A

Cardinal Gibbons sophomore Claire Chanon, who finished 20th in the state last season, finished 23rd this year with a 19:29.70 clocking to help the Chiefs to an impressive finish in the Class 2A girls race, finishing ninth with 350 points.

Coral Springs Charter (387) placed 12th, while Cardinal Newman was the top Palm Beach County team finisher at 15th with 444 points.

Cardinal Gibbons junior Molly Murphy was 25th (19:33.40), and Chiefs’ junior Allison Albrecht was 35th (19:48.9).

Other top local finishers: St. John Paul II Academy freshman Barbarita Jedlicka (22nd, 19:27.80), Calvary Christian freshman Heather Thomerson (33rd, 19:45.4) and Cardinal Newman sophomore Tessa Brown (47th, 20:04.60).

Gillis, North Broward surprise in Class 2A boys race

North Broward Prep senior Wills Gillis helped the North Broward boys finish sixth in their state competition debut. His finish of third individually was also a bit of surprise.

“I couldn’t be happier with my finish,” Gillis said. “I went in seeded 10th and I had a goal of top 5 and making the podium. In previous times on this course, I have died out at the end, and this time I didn’t. This was a really great year for both me and my team.”

North Broward Prep senior Wills Gillis helped the North Broward boys finish sixth in their state competition debut. His finish of third individually was also a bit of surprise at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee on Saturday morning. (Wills Gillis/Courtesy)

FAU High junior Michael Gomez also turned in a stellar performance.

“Throughout this season, I tried out a different racing strategy, but I decided to stick with what worked the best for me in the past,” said Gomez, who finished sixth overall with a 16:18.60. “I hung out in the back of the pack for the first half of the race, and then slowly picked people off until the final kick. So, I studied that plan every night leading up to the race, with mental notes at different parts of the course.

“The goal for me was placement, not necessarily time,” Gomez added. “Since the end of last track season, I made it my goal to get on the podium.”

Other top local finishes in 3A boys included Pine Crest senior Ryan Frawley (16:48.80, 23rd); Cardinal Newman’s Kenneth Wagner (16:48.80, 24th); King’s Academy senior Timothy Gast (16:51.30, 27th), and King’s Academy junior Joseph Schiro (16:56.10, 35th).

American Heritage’s Lungescu 7th in boys 3A

American Heritage senior Stefan Lungescu was seventh with a 16:01.70 to pace the Patriots to a 22nd-place finish (Belen Jesuit won its ninth straight boys title), while Pembroke Pines Charter junior Adam Stewart (16:35.40) was 36th.

Dave Hyde: Miami did what was necessary, right to that final timeout, in 34-17 win

South Florida Local News - Sat, 11/22/2025 - 15:18

Well, there you go, college football.

Happy with the horrible decision Miami had to make Saturday?

Even Miami coach Mario Cristobal hesitated in calling timeout with 26 seconds left in the win at Virginia Tech. He led by 10 points. The game was over — and had been for much of the afternoon.

But Miami didn’t just have to win the game as everyone knew. It had to win the fifth-quarter discussion of how they played, who they impressed, what the score looked like, maybe even how it would fare in a swimsuit competition – you know, all the things the College Football Playoff was supposed to end and didn’t.

So, after Virginia Tech scored a near-meaningless touchdown with just over three minutes left, Cristobal did what he was forced to do and didn’t look like he wanted to do. The clock-killing, play-calling on the final drive showed as much.

Cristobal even let several seconds click off before calling that timeout. That led to the cherry-on-top touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Beck to Malachi Toney with 20 seconds left for an optics-friendly final score.

Miami 34, Virginia Tech 17.

Impressive enough for you, college football?

Because that was horrible to see — and not horrible on Cristobal’s part. Horrible that he was put in that spot where he had to weigh good sportsmanship against voters’ impressions.

There are better examples of teams playing to the voting playoff committee. Notre Dame 70, Syracuse 7. Is that necessary? Or even applauded? What isn’t up for debate is Notre Dame set out to win convincingly for the voters and did.

You can say Miami didn’t win convincingly enough to change minds against a 3-8 Virginia Tech. But this wasn’t a day about changing minds. This was about not stumbling against an unranked team like Miami did to Louisville and SMU. It was about moving on to next week at Pittsburgh.

So, it wasn’t a perfect day for Miami? So what? It was a good-enough day. It scored on four of its opening five drives to take control of the game. Beck threw four touchdowns. Virginia Tech scored all of 10 points until there was just over three minutes left.

Does trading touchdowns in those closing minutes alter anything but the score? It shouldn’t.

Does it much matter Virginia Tech ran for 194 yards — or more than double Miami’s defense has allowed?

Why would it? If it wanted to keep running the ball down double digits, so be it.

Above it all, right to the final timeout, the louder game of Miami ranked 13th in the latest College Football Playoff ranking was playing out to some degree. It couldn’t lose conversational ground and maybe a vote or two.

Making the 12-team playoffs is not as simple as moving up one spot for Miami. It might need to move up three spots to 10th the way it works. The 11th and 12th spots are expected to be taken by one of the champions of five smaller-school conferences and the winner of the ACC championship game

The latter probably won’t be Miami unless a string of events play out. Odder things have happened. But do you bank a season on it?

ESPN’s computers put Miami’s chances at getting in the playoffs at 40 percent. You decide if that’s a good chance or not. That percent is predicated on Miami winning at Pittsburgh next week, too. Early question: Would it have to beat Pitt by more than the 37-15 Notre Dame beat Pitt to claim a good victory?

This is the problem with beauty-contest football. It’s exactly what a playoff was supposed to stop. But you can’t help watching.

Miami didn’t run laps around 3-8 Virginia Tech, if that’s the measure. But it was comfortably ahead most of the game. Even when Virginia Tech cut it to 20-10 in the third quarter, Miami didn’t look threatened.

It followed with the sequence of the day. Beck threw a perfectly placed third-and-7 pass to Daylyn Upshaw for 19 yards. One play later, Beck threw a 16-yard touchdown to Girard Pringle to put the game out of reach at 27-10.

That didn’t just continue Beck’s good run of late. It continued the advance of Miami’s freshmen in the year with Upshaw and Pringle. Malachi Toney is at the center of that, throwing a completion, taking a direct snap in the Wildcat, having a 56-yard play where he accidentally barreled over a woman on the sideline.

He then quickly helped her up. The kid does it all, folks, right down to that final, unnecessary touchdown. The CFP committee asked for it. Toney caught it. And Miami winning 34-17 looks good in a headline.

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