5 Takeaways: 2019 GMAC Tournament quarterfinals at BTW

<p>Miami Palmetto and South Miami came out victorious Monday in the two 2019 GMAC Tournament quarterfinals held at Booker T. Washington High.</p> <p>Palmetto edged Booker T., 57-55, on a bucket with 4.5 seconds remaining. South Miami routed Miami Northwestern, 65-43.</p> <p>Palmetto will square off with South Miami in the semifinals Tuesday. The other semi will pit North Miami vs. Coral Gables. North Miami defeated Mourning, while Gables beat Norland.</p> <p>Here are 5 Takeaways from Monday's games at BTW:</p> <h2>Martinez hits game-winner</h2> <p>Senior <strong>Josmel Martinez</strong> was the hero for Palmetto. Down two with 30.1 seconds to play, the 6-foot-6 forward first drained two big, big free throws to tie the game 55-all. Then after Tornadoes senior guard <strong>Edward Bailey</strong> was called for a double-dribble, Martinez calmly brought the ball up the court, drove past 2021 <strong>Donell Harris</strong> and scored with 4.5 seconds left. BTW guard <strong>Ames Dixon</strong> (2019) got the ball up court and got a shot off, but it was off the mark at the horn.</p> <p>Martinez's recruitment continues. He said," I'm not committed yet. I have some junior colleges [interested], some D-2s and Wofford just called for me. So, we'll see."</p> <h2>Back-and-forth affair</h2> <p>Palmetto-Booker T, Washington was a back-and-forth affair. BTW led 11-8 after one before opening it up in the second period to grab a 28-17 halftime advantage. But in the third quarter, back came Palmetto. The Panthers outscored the Tornadoes 23-14 to close within 42-40 going to the final 8 minutes.</p> <p>"They had a great second quarter," Palmetto coach <strong>Marcos Molina</strong> said. "We had a great third quarter and then both teams played great in the fourth quarter." Martinez led Palmetto with 17 points, 6-0 senior <strong>Jovan Debrito</strong> added 16 (four 3-pointers) and 2020 <strong>Kentron Poitier</strong> 12.</p> <h2>If it has to happen ...</h2> <p>Booker T. missed a handful of key free throws in the second half. And Dixon had an off shooting night, going 1 for 10 from the field. Fellow senior Chris Noel was held to 3 points.</p> <p>"Just came down to the wire of which team is going to execute," BTW coach <strong>Stephon Griffin</strong> said. "We missed a couple of free throws, we didn't take a big charge down there ... we got a blocking foul. A lot of things that you can't make to win games and advance in the state playoff run. I'd rather deal with it now than maybe two to three weeks from now."</p> <p>Bailey led the Tornadoes offensively with 17 points (two 3-pointers), Harris contributed 14 and 2021 <strong>Jacorey Brooks</strong> 12.</p> <h2>Flenor double-double</h2> <p>South Miami overwhelmed Northwestern from the start. The Cobras led 38-20 by halftime. Senior forward <strong>Lee Flenor</strong> (6-7) posted a double-double in the W with 13 points and 12 rebounds.</p> <p>"I have a bunch of guys calling me now [about Flenor]," South Miami coach <strong>Robert Doctor</strong> said. "I know Stetson is going to come to a game. I have Bethune-Cookman ... Augusta ... [<strong>Chris Vincent</strong> of] Miami-Dade is here now. Eastern." Flenor said he will make a decision after the season.</p> <p>Barry University 2019 guard signee <strong>Toru Dean</strong> led the Cobras with 22 points. 6-10 junior <strong>Brandon Sanders</strong> continues to show he can change a game: 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks. FGCU assistant <strong>Joey Cantens</strong> was at the game to watch Flenor and Sanders.</p> <h2>No Segura</h2> <p>If South Miami is to make a deep run in the postseason, the Cobras will have to do it without 2020 sharpshooter <strong>Iann Segura</strong>. "He's not going to be here," Doctor said.</p> <p>Senior <strong>Keandre Hill,</strong> No. 2, has moved up in the rotation. Hill is a tenacious defender.</p> <p><em>If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.</em></p>