Coral Springs Christian Looking To Take The Final Step

The Crusaders are not going to sneak up on anybody this season.

Following a strong 2013 campaign, Coral Springs Christian returns a deep and talented team hungry to build on its record-setting season that saw them one game away from the state tournament. The team will again play the type of difficult schedule that prepares them for the type of competition it would need to beat in order to make a run at a state title. They have the squad that can do it, and the sort of drive that makes believers.

Despite one of the toughest schedules in Broward County last year, the Crusaders finished 22-7 and cemented their first regional playoff victories in program history. The team won its fourth straight district title while going undefeated in district play. Since taking over the program in 2003, this roster may be the deepest one that Manager Matt Cleveland has ever had.

“We try not to get too far-sighted,” said Cleveland. “The kids set their personal goals in the spring and then we don’t talk about it and let them keep it between themselves. Everybody else may make expectations for us, and I’m sure the kids will want to live up to those. My goal is for us to be playing our best baseball at the end of the season.”

Champions are built on talent, ability, desire and character. The Crusaders’ clubhouse is chock full of all of the above. This group loves to play baseball, and they play the game well. They enjoy being around one another, enjoy sharing that passion for baseball with their brothers. They are a hard-working bunch that is willing to put in the long hours it takes to improve and fully harness their abilities.

“There’s no other level of baseball where you practice this much,” said Cleveland. “As coaches, we’ve got to be smart about it and make sure practices don’t get boring. It’s about understanding you still need to get better, that you always need to get better. Top to bottom we’ve just got to do a better job. It starts with me, what I have to do better.”

Coral Springs Christian features a roster overflowing with talent, including a potential MLB prospect in senior Touki Toussaint. The reigning Browardhighschoolbaseball.com Player of the Year, Toussaint features a full arsenal of baseball talent both on the mound, at the plate and on the bases. He has drawn national attention for years, and can expect plenty more as he embarks on his final high school season.

The electrifying right-hander heads a star-studded lineup that includes Miami commit Devin Meyer, UCF commit Eric Hepple and Tennessee commit Benito Santiago. The offense also returns the strong bats of James Buckley and Pemron Burrows.

Yet the missing piece that seems to complete this puzzle comes in newcomer Jeremiah Muhammed. The hulky right-hander recently moved to South Florida from his native New Jersey, welcoming a senior season on a team that has embraced him as one of their own. Muhammed has an electric fastball and a matching personality, making him an instant celebrity among his teammates. His humility outshines even his charm, and both work to make the team that much more united and determined.

After playing on national teams with Toussaint, Santiago and some of the other Crusaders, Mohammed appreciates how humble their example helps to keep him grounded on focused.

“I have seen what Touki has done and how humble he is,” said Muhammed. “You see that and it starts rubbing off on you. He’s done this and it’s better than what I’ve done so who am I to start talking? I feel like I haven’t done anything special to deserve anybody’s attention. I’m just looking to play hard and get better. I’m an outgoing person and I’ve come here and they’ve treated me like everybody else.”

On most teams Muhammed may be the best player, and it is a role that can lead to one trying to be Superman on every play. But this is a special kind of talented group at Coral Springs Christian, and it’s a situation that allows Muhammed to relax in as the guys can all trust each other to help shoulder the load. Meanwhile the team gets the shot in the arm that comes with a big, strong hurler who has grown up tough playing baseball in the cold and rigid northeast conditions.

“One thing about playing up north, you have to be tough,” Muhammed said. “When you’re throwing in thirty degree weather and it’s snowing outside you see what you’re made of. You just come with the will to win every game, play your heart out and hope at the end of the day that you win. In baseball the best team does not always win. That other team might bunt better, might get the man over better, or just do the things to win baseball games. You just do whatever it takes.”

The relationship between Toussaint and Muhammed serves as a microcosm for the entire team dynamic. Each individual has large potential and lofty expectations, yet is embraced with the comfort of having fellow teammates with the same level of potential and expectations. It is a group full of baseball players capable of continuing on past their high school careers, which helps to groom them in an environment that emulates the sort of clubhouses one could expect to see at the next level.

“Anybody who knows baseball knows it is more mental than physical,” said Cleveland. “They’re still high school kids, and they need maturing on the mental side of baseball. We’ve got a lot of senior with tons of capabilities, and we’ve also got some tremendous sophomores and juniors who will learn to deal with the hype and how to focus on the field rather than looking up into the stands.”

With little doubt of the team’s capabilities on the mound and at the plate, the largest need comes in shoring up a defense that graduated infield standout Abraham Alejandro. Both Josh Schroeder and Luis Leal are competing for a spot at second base, while the team is counting on newcomer Cary Boniske to shore up the hot spot at third base. Boniske transferred to the team from a successful Archbishop McCarty program, and the talented senior is commited to St. Leo University.

The pulse of the team tends to start with Toussaint, and with a world of distractions surrounding him Coach Cleveland knows it is the strength of character his players possess that will serve as an incubator to all such outside factors.

“Touki loves playing baseball and he has a joy about him,” said Cleveland. “He’s gotten used to when it gets so serious, but no matter who you are there has got to be some pressure on you. I just haven’t met many kids who love baseball more than him.”

With the baseball community hoping for a state title and the professional and college scouts hoping for the next big thing, it is the unity among the program that works to shield such factors from getting in the way of what figures to be an exciting and memorable season. The team has the desire to rise to these challenges, and the passion to enjoy the ride.

“You make long-term goals and then you set them aside,” said Cleveland. “You have got to pick short-term goals that are going to get you there first.”

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