“Sometimes it seems crazy what we’re trying to do,” Dillard’s Hall of Fame coach Marcia Pinder said. “But it works.”
It worked again Friday afternoon, when Dillard defeated Gainesville Buchholz, 60-54, in a Class 5A state semifinal.
Saturday at 3:35 p.m., Dillard (21-7) will try for its second consecutive state title and its sixth since 1980 – all under Pinder. Dillard will face Winter Haven (25-5).
Count on Dillard to continue to play its brand of unselfish basketball in the final. Dillard has stars – 6-3 senior center T’Keyah Williams has signed with Tennessee Tech and 5-9 senior guard Lauren McGraw is going to Memphis – but they buy in to the Dillard system.
“Tonight was my night,” Williams said of her 20 points and 15 rebounds against Buchholz on Friday. “But tomorrow it can be somebody else. We can’t have a great night every time [as individuals]. But the team can be great every night.”
In typical Dillard fashion, Williams was the only player in double figures Friday. But Dillard got other strong contributions from players such as junior guard Shatorria Baker, who had game-highs in steals (six) and assists (five).
And as a team, Dillard crushed Buchholz on the boards, 50-37.
That ability to get extra shots – 23 offensive boards – allowed Dillard to build a 12-point lead in the third quarter. But Buchholz (26-6), a young team with just one senior starter, charged back and cut the deficit to 54-52 on a Jessica Thomas three-pointer with 1:18 left.
Williams, Jasmin Burger and Baker then hit one of two free throws each to push Dillard’s lead back up to five, and the Panthers held on from there.
Pinder said a key to the win was Dillard’s defense, which made an adjustment to slow down Buchholz.
• DIL: Williams 20, Wright 9, McGraw 9, Baker 8, Burger 1, Hanna 6, Jones 3, Seabrook 2, Edwards 2. BUC: Sinisterra 15, Harris 6, Thomas 17, Maddox 3, Goble 11, Baggett 2. Halftime: Dillard 31-29. Three-pointers: McGraw 1. Thomas 2, Goble 1, Maddox 1. Rebounds: Williams 15. Assists: Baker 5. Steals: Baker 6.
HANKERSON SIGNS
St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Ken Hankerson has found a college destination.
St. Thomas athletic director George Smith told The Miami Herald that Hankerson has signed with Eastern Illinois.
Hankerson had 58 total tackles, which ranked second on the team last season, including 12 for loss. He also had five pass breakups and four forced fumbles as he helped the Raiders to a 15-0 record, a state championship and an ESPN national championship.
Hankerson, 6-2, 205, was ranked the No. 22 overall prospect in Broward County by The Miami Herald.
