The 5A state semifinals game between Gainesville Buchholz and Ft. Lauderdale Dillard featured two teams with different championship histories. Buchholz had just made the final four after losing in the regional finals for three consecutive years by a total of eight points while Dillard had just won their fifth state title under legendary head coach Marcia Pender. In a game between two of the most physical teams in the state, Dillard hung on to defeat Buchholz 60-54 and to advance to the 5A state championship game on Saturday.