Tracy McDonald

Key West reigned as queens of the court this volleyball season, defeating both Marathon and Coral Shores. The 10-7 Conchs’ victories included a quarterfinal win over Miami Central, but their season ended at the district semifinals against Reagan High. The team showed promise against larger schools, particularly in tournament play, and perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Conchs is their junior-heavy roster. Just two athletes will be lost from their roster to graduation, setting the stage for a very optimistic outlook in 2025.

The 2024 season was the first in many years that all three Monroe County teams were represented at regionals, with Marathon and Coral Shores qualifying as teams and Key West sending an individual qualifier. Marathon went on to the next round, making the long trip to Tallahassee to compete at the state level. The top runners at Marathon and Coral Shores were upperclassmen, but the younger runners proved they could definitely keep up, setting the stage for more postseason hardware for Keys athletes in 2025.

2024 was an interesting year for girls cross country. Key West found success in their most seasoned racers, while Marathon and Coral Shores watched their youngest competitors finish first all season long. The Conchs and ’Canes watched breakout stars steal the show, while the Lady Fins worked as a team to qualify for the state meet. Despite their stark differences, all three schools found success this season, and if their hard work and motivation have anything to do with it, the future looks bright for them all.

Marathon played three games last week, starting off with their closest rival, Coral Shores, on Dec. 3. The ’Canes defended their home court valiantly, but Marathon senior Elena Eubank had other plans. Eubank scored a game-high 27 points in the win, with Marti’yana Kilbourne adding 10 and Daysi Williams accounting for the other six.

Coral Shores’ Grace Patterson was a double winner at the Hurricanes’ Dec. 4 quad meet at Gulliver Prep. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

Marathon enjoyed an unusual reprieve from travel with a three-game home match series last week. The first was a resounding win against Palm Glades Prep on Dec. 2, beating the Eagles 6-2. Jay Marshall punched in four goals in the match while Jayden Rosete and Erick Cinto accounted for the other two. The following night, Mater Academy Charter shut out the Fins in a 4-0 loss. Marathon’s goalkeeper, Aiden Judd, kept the game from getting out of hand with some excellent saves as he was peppered with nearly 50 shots on goal. In their final match of the week, the Fins faced Coral Shores. Marshall scored two goals and Landon Anderson found the back of the net as well, but the Dolphins could not stave off a shelling from the Hurricanes and lost the game 6-3.

Key West traveled to face Somerset Silver Palms in soccer on Dec. 12, where the scoring in the first half was fast and furious. Both teams found the net, but the Conchs struck paydirt one more time than the Stallions, with Kieran Smith scoring twice and Loubins Fleuridor adding a point to the score. Sebastian Camargo was credited with assisting all three first-half goals.

Marti Kilbourne blocks Jasmina Ibodilloeva as she goes for a layup. Photo by MAICEY MALGRATKeys Weekly

Marathon’s team captains, from left, Ella Dunn, Justice Lee and Ella Evans all won events at the Dec. 11 home weightlifting meet. CONTRIBUTED