To the Pembroke Pines Charter High School Jaguars basketball team, winning the state championship game was not a question. It was an answer. “To what?” you may ask—to their whole season.

The Jaguars started their hunt for the state title the second they stepped on the court for their first practice of the season. From the long, heavy practices that started at 5 pm and ended at 9 pm to the six-hour road trips to games and tournaments, the Jaguars knew what they were going to get this season: the state title.

“Winning a state championship is not just about the final buzzer—it is the payoff for months of work that nobody sees,” junior captain Zacuras Dawson notes.

Though the Jaguars ended their regular season with a final record of 15-6, a loss to Miramar High School in the BCAA tournament left them with a bitter taste. This setback, however, became the fuel for their revenge arc.

The Jaguars then went on to win the district champion title, regional champion title, and state champion title, being 7-0 in the postseason as well as being ranked #1 in their region, 5A, with a final record of 22-6.

Returning to the arena after two years, after the Jaguars won their second state title in five years during 2024, they made sure to make it four, as this was the seventh year. Yet, the lineup was completely different this season, with a whole new roster.

Once they reached states, which took place in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida, the only thing they thought about was standing with their medals and the trophy.

“This is my final high school game, so I know I have to finish off strong and bring it [the state title] home to my people,” notes senior Robert Guishard.

Gameday approached for the state semifinals, which took place on Wednesday, March 11. The Jaguars were ready, as well as their fanbase back at school, as most students attended the showing of the game at the school auditorium (the River of Grass).

They faced off against Lecanto High School and won the game 65-32, sending them to the championship on Friday, March 13, against Fleming Island High School, #2 in the region, located 30 minutes from the arena.

“We knew it was a home game for them pretty much… It did not affect us too much, and we would rather play with the seats not empty,” notes head coach Dave Roca.

The Jaguars knew this game would be a tough battle, yet they did not doubt themselves once. Going into the game with a mindset of domination, they did what they thought: win. The game was a nailbiter as the Jaguars led by only one point in the last 55 seconds of the game.

From that point on, the Jaguars did not give up and continued to make several free throws, ending the game with a victory of 52-48.

Senior captain Robert Guishard Jr. led his team with 19 points and 21 rebounds. Behind him, juniors Dawson and Anthony Walcott both helped shut the game down with a victory.

“You can frame it as more than a victory. It is validation,” remarks Dawson.