Columbus (Miami) Wins 5th Straight Florida Basketball Title

Explorers become first team to win 5 consecutive state championships in Florida's highest classification

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:03pm

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Columbus (Miami) secured a historic victory on Saturday, defeating Sarasota 53-50 to become the first Florida team to win five consecutive state championships in the highest classification. Florida Atlantic signee Felipe Quinones led the Explorers with 15 points, while Miami signee Caleb Gaskins contributed 12 points and six rebounds. The game came down to the wire, with Columbus receiving a technical foul with 13.6 seconds remaining before holding on for the win.

Why it matters

Achieving five consecutive state championships demonstrates a sustained level of excellence and program stability that is rare in high school athletics. This level of success often reflects a strong coaching staff, dedicated players and consistent support from the school and community.

The details

Columbus has outscored opponents by 26.8 points per game across 25 state tournament contests during their five-year reign. This victory marks the 16th time a team has won five or more consecutive titles in a state's highest classification, and the seventh time since 1980. Columbus finished the season with a 26-6 record, riding a 12-game winning streak. Last season, the team won the national championship, the first team competing for a state championship to do so at Chipotle Nationals.

  • Columbus secured the victory on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • Columbus has won five consecutive state championships.

The players

Felipe Quinones

A Florida Atlantic signee who led Columbus with 15 points in the championship game.

Caleb Gaskins

A Miami signee who contributed 12 points and six rebounds for Columbus.

Cayden Gaskins

A freshman who added 11 points and seven rebounds for Columbus.

Johnny Lackaff

A Sarasota player who scored a game-high 27 points in the championship game.

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What’s next

As Columbus concludes this remarkable run, the impact of their sustained success on future recruiting and the program's continued pursuit of excellence will be closely watched.

The takeaway

Columbus' historic five-year championship run in Florida's highest classification underscores the program's commitment to excellence, the strength of its coaching staff and players, and the unwavering support from its school and community. This level of sustained success is a rarity in high school sports and serves as an inspiration for aspiring basketball programs across the state.