Plantation American Heritage girls win 6th state title in 7 years

American Heritage defeats Daytona Beach Mainland in OT for Class 5A state title

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – The number was 10.

American Heritage head coach Greg Farias said the Patriots had to out-rebound Daytona Beach Mainland by 10 in order to win the state championship. 

His girls hauled down 40 to out-rebound the Buccaneers by 11 and deliver American Heritage a thrilling 60-55 overtime win and the Class 5A state championship at the FHSAA Finals Friday at the RP Funding Center.

Plantation American Heritage girls basketball players celebrate after winning the Class 5A state championship on Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland / Bill Kemp

It was the sixth state championship for American Heritage in the past seven years.

“I’ve always said we have to have at least 10 more than everybody,” Farias said. “I don’t put a number on it because I feel every person has to contribute and it starts with (Dezuray McGill). She has to have a double-double for us to win.”

McGill snatched 12 critical rebounds - nine on the defensive glass – to go with her six points. Jasleen Green led American Heritage – and all scorers - with 27 points.

“We came together when it counted the last couple weeks when we started the playoffs and we beat St. Thomas,” Farias said. “I’ve always said defense and rebounds wins championships. They have to buy in.”

Plantation American Heritage girls basketball players and coaches gather around their trophy after winning the Class 5A state championship on Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland / Bill Kemp

American Heritage (25-6) lost the state title game to Mainland, 62-61, last year.

“We wanted to get back,” Farias said. “We started (practicing) six days a week. We were going hard and we didn’t want to come back here and fall short again.”

After a nip-and-tuck battle through regulation which ended with score knotted 49-49, American Heritage – with no seniors in the lineup – pulled away with an 11-6 run in overtime to seal the title.

“Last year we couldn’t score and this year we defended better,” Farias said. “Once I changed up the defense on them and went to that 2-1-2, and we went to a match-up zone, we had them. That’s how we came back,” Farias said.

Plantation American Heritage guard Tyra Blye drives to the basket during the Class 5A state championship against Daytona  BeachMainland on Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland / Bill Kemp

Mainland (18-13) was led by Austin Peay signee Anovia Sheals with 18 points and nine rebounds while Olivia Olson added 11 points and North Carolina Wilmington signee Tia Dobson scored nine.

Both teams reached the finals after destroying their opposition in the semifinals.

American Heritage advanced after routing Port Charlotte 63-24, and Mainland advanced after routing New Port Richey River Ridge 62-31.

Daytona Beach Mainland guard Jade Parks hauls dpwn a rebound against Plantation American Heritage during the Class 5A state championship on Friday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland / Bill Kemp