Plant Panthers Move to the Elite 8 with Their 28th Win

TAMPA -- Florida teams are still trying to figure out a way to get past the Plant Panthers. Plant convincingly defeated North Port by a score of <strong>66-28</strong> which was actually 54-18 after one of the most impressive first halves of basketball I've ever seen by this locked-in Plant team. If they continue playing like they can and have, they will prove to be very difficult to beat as their only loss came to an Arkansas team just after Christmas. They've now won 19 in a row and sit at a 28-1 record that they bring into their Elite 8 Regional Final matchup with Boone on Friday evening (Be there!). On Tuesday night, the Panthers set the tone early and often. Even as early as the starting lineups when you see Coach Mahon at the end of the tunnel pumping up the girls with their intro handshakes. And then the first play from scrimmage, a three-point play from <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendal-cheesman/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendal-cheesman/">Kendal Cheesman</a></a> with some great ball movement by the Plant team. The momentum would never shift after that basket. Plant is not playing around until they reach their ultimate goal, but they are taking it one game at a time since every team is capable at this time of the year. <hr /> Here are a few of the top players from Tuesday night's Sweet 16 action: <span style="font-size: 14pt"><em>Plant Panthers (28-1)</em></span> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendal-cheesman/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kendal-cheesman/">Kendal Cheesman</a></a> (2021, Vanderbilt commit) - There is so much to like about Kendal's game, on AND off the court. She's so humble, and you can see the passion she has when she is playing the game. She finished with 19 points, 12 boards, and 3 blocks. Kendal can score from all three levels at her height, always rebounds it well, and makes players adjust their shot when they drive it inside. She is a top junior in the state, no arguments about it. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nyla-jean/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nyla-jean/">Nyla Jean</a></a> (2021) - Every time I have seen Nyla matched up against a top tier PG, she has outplayed them. There are very few players in the state that are two-way players like she is. Nyla added 14 points, 5 assists, and a couple of blocks in the huge win. She's another top junior in the state, without a doubt. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kayla-sieper/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kayla-sieper/">Kayla Sieper</a></a> (2020, Loyola Maryland commit) - Kayla is always putting herself in a position to be successful, and she vocalizes it to her teammates when they've helped her achieve that success. She is smart enough to see a guard penetrating to get into the perfect position for a pass, and she rarely misses any of those shots from 15 feet and in. Kayla contributed 17 points and is always a force on the offensive glass. <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/honor-culpepper/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/honor-culpepper/">Honor Culpepper</a></a> (2020, NYU commit) - Honor just committed to NYU, but her focus is to finish this season out the way they've planned all year. I was most impressed with her 5 boards and 4 assists as we all know she can hit the 3-ball by getting it up quickly. She's always using that signature pass of hers where she's moving fast and contorts her body in a way to find an open teammate behind her (it's hard to explain, ok). Honor is always one of the toughest girls out on the floor and a leader for this Plant team. Silvia Farfante (2022) - Silvia is a key reason why Plant is playing their best basketball at the right time. She had 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in a well-rounded game for the Sophomore who is catching her groove after being out for a hot minute. Silvia got her teammates involved and plays hard ALL of the time. Tanner Strickland (2023) - Tanner is a tough player who has the speed and quickness to bother opponents in the same way that Nyla can. She can shoot it, pass it, and is a strong defender as the 6th player for the Plant reserves which also consists of Kerrigan White and <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/morgan-sieper/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/morgan-sieper/">Morgan Sieper</a></a> that round out that quality bench unit. <hr /> <span style="font-size: 14pt"><em>North Port Bobcats (21-7)</em></span> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emani-jefferson/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emani-jefferson/">Emani Jefferson</a></a> (2020, Wright State commit) - Emani had a rough go of it in her last HS game ever. She was flustered by <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nyla-jean/"><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/nyla-jean/">Nyla Jean</a></a> all night, but you could see sparks of why she's going to be fine at the D1 level. Emani showed strong handles and was crafty in getting to the hoop before that second line of defense altered her shot. She's an athletic hooper that can get up, but she just didn't have much help on this night. Congrats to her on a very impressive high school career!