FHSAA 5A Girls Basketball State Semifinals: Mainland and American Heritage roll into the state finals
LAKELAND, FLORIDA – There was not much suspense to Wednesday's FHSAA Class 5A Girls Basketball State Semifinals, as Mainland and American Heritage Plantation each recorded blowout victories, at the RP Funding Center, to setup a state championship against each other on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
In the earlier contest, Mainland ran past River Ridge, 62-31, while American Heritage humbled Port Charlotte, 63-24, in the second contest.
After building a 6-point lead at the end of the opening quarter, Mainland ran River Ridge into a huge hole with a 20-7 bulge in the second quarter, to lead 34-15 at the half, and the lead continued to grow from there.
Anovia Sheals paced the offensive effort with a game-high 21 points to go with 9 rebounds and an assist. She got plenty of help as Samantha Lecas drained a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 15 points, Jade Parks scored 8 points and absolutely dominated the glass with 19 rebounds. In addition, Olivia Olson and Tia Dobson each scored 9 points.
At one point, early in the fourth quarter, Mainland led by 33 points, nearly triggering the running clock.
Mainland's Anovia Sheals had 21 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Buccaneers to 62-31 win over River Ridge in one of the FHSAA Class 5A Girls Basketball State Semifinals on Wednesday.
Lauren Lee was the only River Ridge with more than six points as she led her team with 15 and just missed a double-double with 9 rebounds.
Speaking of the running clock, American Heritage nearly reached it in the first half against Port Charlotte, as it outscored the Pirates, 45-11, in opening half. The running clock came into play early in the second half and the Patriots got playing time for the entire roster.
Jasleen scored 12 points in the first half and had 7 rebounds and 2 assists. She finished with a game-high 14 points. Dezuray McGill added 11 and 7 rebounds, while Emil Jean-Glaude and Taniyah Davis combined for 16 for the Patriots.
