Dr. Phillips Girls Basketball defeated Miami High 52-47 for their third consecutive State Championship last night in Lakeland. DP (29-3) powered their way to a spirit-shattering 24-1 second half run that turned an eight-point deficit into a 15-point lead (46-31) in a span of roughly six minutes. Miami dominated the first half, out-rebounding the Panthers but led by only five at the half, 25-20. The Panthers were fortunate it wasn’t more because the offense was cold, except for early three pointers by Sydnei McCaskill and Jade Cheek. In the third quarter, DP found their scoring touch and the transition game came back to life as well. Matea Britvar drained a 16-foot jumper to open the quarter and after Miami hit a three to extend the lead to 30-22, Britvar sank a three from the right arc that triggered the Panthers’ game-clinching run. McCaskill and Hannah Schaible sank two sets of free throws to pull within one, 30-29, and at the 3:13 mark, Schaible buried a 17-footer to give DP their first lead since the first quarter. Another rebound / put-back by McKenzie and seven straight points by Final Four MVP Sydnei McCaskill, including a three from the left arc, pushed the lead to 40-31. With time ticking down, Jade Cheek’s three from the left corner at the buzzer increased the lead to 43-31. Freshman Kyla Allison opened up the fourth quarter with a long three from the left corner to make it 46-31 for the largest lead of the night…and the Panthers would need every point. Miami continued to fight back from long distance to chip away at the lead but another three by Cheek with 5:01 remaining and critical free throws by McCaskill and Allison down the stretch secured the Panthers’ place in history. Dr. Phillips, winner of 68 consecutive games against in-state opponents, also became the first team in FHSAA history to win three consecutive State Championships in the largest classification. Sydnei McCaskill led all scorers with 17 points and six assists, Jade Cheek hit four of six three pointers for 12 points and six rebounds, Ionna McKenzie finished with eight points and seven rebounds, Hanna Schaible registered six points, five steals, four rebounds and three assists, Matea Britvar picked up five points and five rebounds and Kyla Allison closed out with four points.
Yesterday at West Orange High School, DP Women’s Lacrosse team improved to 3-0 on the season with a thorough defeat of visiting Tampa Catholic, 18-8. Elizabeth Hales led the Panthers with five goals and four assists while Sarah Hamp pitched in handsomely with three goals and three assists. DP had three players score a pair of goals each. Michaela Decker chipped in with two goals and two assists, Jimena Davila added a pair of goals as did Cymber Larkin. Solo goals were notched by Jessica Clark, Min Jang, Amanda Massey and Catherine Moffitt. Credit Nicole Mikheal with five saves in the cage. DP is averaging nearly 18 goals per game thus far.
At the Lake Brantley Invitational, Women’s Track and Field placed fourth in the 20-team field, placing in the top five in seven events. Senior Bridget Blake led DP with a first place finish in the 1600m (5:00.77), senior Amber Johnson placed third in the 3200m (11:53.70), freshman Alahni Wood also took third in the long jump (16’5) as well as the 4 x 800m relay team. Fourth place finishes included freshman Ketondra Cuyler in the shot put (30’6) and the 4 x 100m relay. Junior Kira Myers placed fifth in the pole vault with a school record-tying 9’6, tying Emily Serra’s mark set in 2011.
Men’s Track and Field placed fifth or better in eight individual events at Saturday’s Lake Brantley Invitational to finish fifth in the 20-team field. Junior Roderick Proctor had a sensational day with a first place finish in the long jump (22’8.5), second place in the high jump (6’0) and a fourth place finish in the triple jump at 42’10. Senior Reggie Glover placed third in the 400m at 48.42 as did the 4 x 400m relay team. Senior Mike Morales had a strong showing in the shot put, placing fourth at 43’0, Anthony Rojas finished in fourth in the 3200m at 10:30.53 and DP’s 4 x 800m relay team placed fifth.
Baseball started off well enough at Olympia Saturday but surrendered five runs in the sixth inning in a 7-4 loss to the Titans. Dan Autiello knocked one out of the park for the Panthers, who drop to 3-2 on the season.
