Miami Central Finishes Season Ranked #8 in the Nation in USA Today Poll

With state title rings on their fingers, it's hard to feel sorry for the Miami Central Rockets. Still, it bears remembering that Central was just one blown call away from a mythical national championship. After all, the team entered the season ranked second in the country.Instead, Central's opening loss to...

By Michael E. Miller

December 22, 2010

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With state title rings on their fingers, it's hard to feel sorry for the Miami Central Rockets. Still, it bears remembering that Central was just one blown call away from a mythical national championship. After all, the team entered the season ranked second in the country.

Instead, Central's opening loss to Camden County (GA) almost knocked them out of the top 25. After winning 15 straight, however, the Rockets climbed back up into the top ten, finishing the season in the eight spot in the USA Today poll.

Central finished in 16th place in an ESPN poll topped by South Florida 5A powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.

Both sets of rankings had been dominated by Trinity High School from Euless, Texas. But the Trojans were upset in the Texas 5A final by Pearland thanks to this trick play:

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Michael E. Miller was a staff writer at Miami New Times for five years. His work for New Times won many national awards, including back-to-back-to-back Sigma Delta Chi medallions. He now covers local enterprise for the Washington Post.

Contact: Michael E. Miller