MSD Cheer Competes at State, Advance in Soccer and Battle on the Basketball Court

by Matt Rothman January 25, 2026

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MSD Cheer Competes at State, Advance in Soccer and Battle on the Basketball Court

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Cheerleading Team. {MSD Cheer}

Marjory Stoneman Douglas was in action this week with cheerleading at state, along with playoff soccer and regular-season basketball matchups.

The cheerleading team placed sixth at the State Championship in Lakeland on Thursday in the small non-tumbling division. The Eagles earned their spot at State after placing second in Regionals and previously winning a District Championship. Their season will continue with the UCA Nationals on February 6.

The soccer teams each had received byes in the opening round of the District Tournament. The boys’ soccer team earned the top seed after finishing the regular season 9–1–2. The Eagles will face the winner of Boca Raton and Western High School in the semifinals on Friday, January 23, at 6 p.m. In the other semifinal, Spanish River—also receiving a bye—will play either Coral Glades, following its 3-1 win over J.P. Taravella in the first round.

The girls soccer team, winners of the last seven District Championships, entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed after posting a 6–2–2 record. They beat Coral Glades 7-0 behind a pair of goals from Emily Rodriguex and Audri Haltiwanger. Alexa Jourdam, Nadia Tomlinson, and Courtney Heymach all found the back of the net.

They are set to play Spanish River Community High School in the final after the Sharks went 9-3-1 this season. They had a bye in the opinion round of the playoffs and beat Boca Raton Community High School 2-1 in the Semifinals l. Their only losses during the regular season came against Kings Academy, Dwyer, and Wellington High School, while also winning 3-2 in the lone matchup with the Eagles.

The boys’ soccer team knocked off Western High School 6-1 to move on to the final, where they will play Coral Glades. The Jaguars were the three seed and defeated J.P. Taravella and Spanish River Community High School 3-1. The Jaguars hold a record of 11-6 this year.

The boys’ basketball team picked up its first win of the new year, defeating McArthur High School 56–54. The Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak as Jeremiah Backer led MSD with 16 points. Zack Story added eight points, while Nirel Earley and Caleb VanBronkhorst each finished with six.

The Eagles then dropped a one-point contest to South Broward High School, falling 61–60, before knocking off Sanaluces High School 60-54, with Caleb VanBronkhorst finishing with a team-high 16 points in the win. Story added 15, and Azayvien Wilson was in double figures with 11. After falling against Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School.

MSD then fell to Coconut Creek High School, which was in a tight game on Thursday, losing 76-73. Next, the Eagles will play Piper High School on Monday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. The Bengals have won six games this year, but lost 72-65 a year ago.

The girls’ basketball team suffered its first loss of 2026 against McArthur High School, falling 44–42. They quickly bounced back, however, with a dominant 55–28 victory over South Broward High School, an 85-22 win over Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School, and a 42-27 victory against Coconut Creek High School on Thursday. Next, MSD will also play Piper High School on Monday, January 26, at 6 p.m. The Lady Bengals are 8-7 this year, but lost 64-57 last year.

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Author Profile

Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.