- November 23, 2024
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The Mainland girls basketball team (21-8) grabbed the Class 5A state championship with a 62-61 win against Plantation American Heritage (23-8) on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
It is the first girls state basketball title in school history.
“Nothing compares to winning the state championship,” coach Brandon Stewart said. “As a coach, all year you try to talk to your girls about adversity and how it will be worth it. So when your word comes true, it’s a feeling like no other.”
Three Buccaneer starters scored in double digits. Forward Anovia Sheals led with 22 points, while guards Tia Dobson had 13 and Jordan Boddie had 10.
Nothing compares to winning the state championship. As a coach, all year you try to talk to your girls about adversity and how it will be worth it. So when your word comes true, it’s a feeling like no other. - Brandon Stewart, Mainland girls basketball coach
Senior guard Yashaiya Yisreal’s job going into the game was to play good defense. She started taking the game seriously as a freshman and has helped carry the team for four years.
“We have been through a lot this season,” she said. “I am really grateful and we are blessed to have this opportunity to win the state championship.”
The Buccaneers led the game until the fourth quarter when they got into foul trouble. Yisreal, Dobson and Boddie all fouled out. Sophomores Samantha Lecas and Shilah-rayn Lord and freshman Ronneisha Thomas, all former JV players, were put in to bring it home.
“Three of our very important players fouled out,” Yisreal said. “But our younger players stepped up.”
Initially, Dobson was upset after being called for another player’s foul but quickly regrouped and became one of the leaders on the bench. It was the toughest two minutes for her.
“It was shocking, honestly,” she said. “But at the end of the day you can’t go back in time and redo it. It happens. I had to regroup for myself and JV.
"They had never been in that environment before. Jordan and I had to coach them up — become another coach B or coach Kev," Dobson said referring to assistant coach Kevin Priccaciante.”
