TAMPA — Plant team has pushed the pace all season and done it with tremendous success. But in Tuesday’s Class 8A region semifinals, the Panthers ran into Winter Haven, a team that pushed it even faster and more furious.
4 Days Ago
2 Weeks Ago
1 Hour Ago
When the final buzzer ended the frenetic pressing and running on Plant’s home court, Winter Haven had run away with a rather shocking 79-44 victory.
"We have faced a lot of teams who applied a lot of pressure this season, but we have never faced in any pressure like we saw tonight," Plant senior guard Bella Moreno said. "We kept it close for a while, but we couldn’t keep up with the pressure over the whole game."
Until one minute, 38 seconds remained in the first quarter, Plant not only appeared like it might make a game of it, but the Panthers held the lead, 17-13.
That’s when Winter Haven (24-4) called a timeout, regrouped and came out with a vengeance.
The Blue Devils, enforcing their relentless full-court man-to-man pressure, scored 15 unanswered and by halftime had pushed their lead to 47-29.
In the locker room at halftime, Plant coach Carrie Mahon pointed out a couple of facts to her team: The Panthers had barely missed a number of 3-point shots and had given up at least 10 easy points to the Blue Devils.
"We knew that we had to shoot great from (beyond the 3-point line) tonight to have a chance," Mahon said. "We had missed on a number of those (3-point shots) and missed some defensive opportunities. We thought if we could turn that around in the second half maybe we could get back into it."
But it didn’t work out.
Plant (28-2) cut Winter Haven’s lead to 28-22 early in the third quarter, then the Blue Devils promptly went on another tear.
With 3:32 left in the third quarter, Winter Haven held a 41-22 lead and the ultimate outcome appeared to be in little doubt.
"After (Winter Haven’s third-quarter run) we were a little shell shocked," Mahon said. "But I have to say that I’m so proud that we never stopped playing hard. We kept fighting right to the end.
"I also have to say that this is about the most fun I’ve ever had coaching a team, and not because of their record, but because of their work ethic and their attitude. What a great group. I loved every minute of it. I love this team."
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
