Apopka - Orlando Dr. Phillips came into Tuesday night Regional semifinals game looking to advance to its school first regional final since 1992 and to avenge their only defeat of the season against the Apopka Lady Blue Darters.

Playing with added incentive, Orlando Dr. Phillips (29-1) was able to hold off a late rally to avenge their only lost of the season defeating Apopka 47-41.

“Our girls have wanted this game since the districts.  We came out focus and determined to play a better game.  While our outside shot wasn’t falling we were able to play good defense and drive the ball to the basket.”  Coach Anthony Jones said.

The Lady Panthers got after it defensively causing 24 turnovers by Apopka which led to 18 fast break points.

The freshmen trio of Sydney McCaskill, Alexis Brown, and Hannah Schaible was big once again accounting for 45 of the 47 total points by the Panthers.  The trio also accounted for 14 steals in the game.

Apopka did make the game interesting trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, the Lady Darters went on a 13 to 4 run cutting the lead down to 5 with 2:38 left in the game.

The Darters comeback was sparked by senior guard Shanequa Schrouder who scored 11 of her team high 15 points during the run.

“Apopka is a very good team and Schrouder is a good player.  She got hot for them down the stretch which led to their comeback.  We normally don’t run a defense for one particular person, but we decided to go to a box and one to slow her down.”  Jones said.

The Panthers are now one step away from a team goal of making it to the final four as they will travel to St. Petersburg to play St. Petersburg high school on Saturday for a spot in the final four.

“All year long our goal has been to make it to the final four.  Most people thought it was an impossible goal with a team full of freshman, but they are not ordinary freshman.”