5 Takeaways: 2019 GMAC Tournament semifinals

<p>It will be North Miami versus South Miami for the 2019 GMAC Tournament championship on Thursday.</p> <p>North Miami took down Coral Gables, 63-51, Tuesday in the first semifinal before South Miami blew away host Miami Palmetto, 60-38.</p> <p>Here are 5 Takeaways from Pinecrest:</p> <h2>Cobras make statement</h2> <p>South Miami turned up the defensive pressure in the second half and <strong>Toru Dean</strong> and Co. ran Palmetto out of its own gym. The Cobras (16-5) turned a 25-18 game at the half into a 45-28 blowout by the end of the third quarter and went on to lead by as many as 23. South Miami's guards Toru Dean (2019), <strong>Arturo Dean</strong> (2021) and <strong>Keandre Hill</strong> (2019) caused havoc with their quick hands on defense and problems with their handle on offense. </p> <h2>Barry U. lands jewel</h2> <p>Barry University is getting a productive player in Toru Dean. I liked the 6-foot-1 guard while with Team AutoNation on the travel circuit and Dean continues to grow. Dean, who was first-team All-State last year as a junior, is quick, quick, quick and handles the ball like it is on a string. Tuesday, he shot 9 of 18 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 23 points. 6-6 senior forward <strong>Lee Flenor</strong> had 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and a boatload of rebounds.</p> <h2>Hit by a truck</h2> <p>Palmetto started out well enough, grabbing a 9-3 lead early. But the doors just came off on the Panthers. Palmetto was held to 25 points over the final three quarters.</p> <p>2020 <strong>Kentron Poitier</strong> led the Panthers with 10 points but even he was 4 for 14 from the field and and 1 for 3 at the free-throw line. 6-6 senior<strong> Josmel Martinez</strong> was held scoreless in the second half and came out of the game mumbling in the fourth period, obviously frustrated.</p> <p>With 2:47 remaining, coach <strong>Marcos Molina</strong> emptied his bench after the Panthers allowed uncontested layups. Palmetto drops to 17-6.</p> <h2>Charles paces North Miami</h2> <p>Senior sharpshooter <strong>Richard Charles</strong> led three players in double figures with 16 points in North Miami's victory. Charles hit 4 of 11 shots from the field, including two 3-pointers, and made all 6 of his free throws in the second half. <strong>Anthony Bazan</strong> (2019) added 15 points and <strong>Carlos Hart</strong> (2020) had 12.</p> <p>North Miami struggled to shake Coral Gables. The Pioneers led 14-9 after one, 28-24 at the half and 43-38 going to the fourth. Gables made it a one-shot game, 43-40, with 6:57 remaining on a field goal from <strong>Troy Davis</strong>, but that would be as close as the Cavaliers would get.</p> <h2>More work to be done</h2> <p>North Miami coach <strong>Raynald Benoit</strong> admitted there were lapses. Benoit said his defense wasn't as tight as he would like it to be. </p> <p>"We can get better," Benoit said. "We are so much better than we are showing right now. And I want to get us back there. But we played a lot of games, been battle-tested. I think we are ready to finish out the district and everything else."</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>