Plant powers past Miami Senior for 7A title

LAKELAND — Tampa Plant outscored Miami Senior 14-2 in the final six minutes to win the school’s first girls basketball state championship Saturday night at the RP Funding Center.

The fourth-quarter run led the Panthers (26-3) to a 52-40 win in the Class 7A championship game of the FHSAA girls basketball state finals.

Making it even sweeter for the Panthers is the fact that the win avenges Miami’s 63-38 win over Plant in last year’s Class 7A championship game.

“Had last year not happened, we would not have had the sour feeling we’ve had for the past year,” Plant head coach Carrie Mahon said. “That lit a fire under us. We weren’t willing to go back to that feeling.”

Kendall Cheesman, a senior who is committed to Vanderbilt, led the Panthers with 24 points and 18 rebounds. Cheesman was 10-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range. Nyla Jean, who has committed to Georgia State, added 14 points, four assists and four steals.

“That feeling we had putting those silver medals on our necks last year, we didn’t want to come here and feel that again,” Cheesman said.

The Panthers’ fourth-quarter run broke open a back-and-forth first half that ended with Miami leading 22-20. Plant took a 36-28 late in the third quarter only to see Miami rally back to tie it at 38-38.

Cheesman and Jean two combined for eight of the Panthers’ final 14 points.

“Mentally, we stayed in it,” Cheesman said. “We weren’t selfish and we’re here right now.”

Tanner Strickland started Plant’s winning run, and was quickly followed by a basket from Cheesman. After the Lady Stings cut it back to two, Plant scored the final eight points of the game to ice it, holding Miami scoreless for the final 4:17.

Kiara Cruz led Miami (15-9) with 14 points.