Gibbons Wins District, Punches Ticket To Regionals

Stop us when you have heard this story before. Cardinal Gibbons works their way through the regular season, getting better with each week that passes by. Then, when the big lights come on, and the playoffs begin, Manager Jason Hamilton and his staff have Gibbons playing their best ball of the year.

No, it is not Deja Vu. This is again the reality in 2026.

Gibbons came into the week, knowing their likely only path to a regional playoff berth, was to win two games, and the 3A-13 title.

So that is what they did.

After defeating Pine Crest on Tuesday, Gibbons took care of business against Calvary Christian Thursday night, winning 7-2, and punching their ticket to the regional tournament.

“We are very excited to be able to bring home another district championship to Cardinal Gibbons,” said Manager Jason Hamilton. “We put the kids in difficult situations, against the best teams in South Florida, every year in the regular season. We don’t play the season to pad stats, or coaching achievements. We do it to prepare for this time of year. And this week, the kids responded by playing some of their best ball of the season.”

The Chiefs were led in both games this week by their arms. Danny Silveria threw a complete game against Pine Crest, and tonight it was Lucas Anderton and Brody Good who combined to hold the Eagles bats at bay. Anderton went the first four innings, allowing only one earned run, while giving up three hits and striking out one. Good then threw the back three innings, with no hits or runs allowed.

“Our pitching has been phenomenal this week,” said Hamilton. “Danny threw the complete game Tuesday, and then Anderton and Good were sensational tonight.”

Offensively, the Chiefs played their usual brand of what some would call small ball. Others, would just call it sound, fundamental offensive baseball.

After falling behind 2-0, Gibbons scored five runs in the fourth, then two more in the sixth to take a commanding five run lead. Randy Petron, Victor Norori, and Kaden Julmis all had two hits for Gibbons. Norori also added two RBIs.

“We told the kids before the game, Calvary is a very good team. Their coaches are prepared and have a plan. And our coaches have a plan. The team that executes the coaches plan will be the one that wins the district title. Our guys trusted the process, and then went out and executed the plan.”

Now, having won the district, and finding themselves in the regional playoffs, the Chiefs are thinking they may have another state final four run in them. They were most recently in Fort Myers in 2024, when Gibbons won their second state title in school history.

Hamilton, however, understands that it is one game at a time, and anything can happen come regional time.

“High school baseball is a funny thing. We could be bounced in the first game, or, we could make a long run in the playoffs. So you never know. But we are happy to be in the big dance, and have an opportunity to go out and compete for a state title on the field starting next week.”

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