2025-2026 Team Preview: Lakeland Dreadnaughts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season is here, and it's been exciting to see who has improved, who remains a star, which transfers have been making impacts, there are new standouts, and so many more storylines. Here, we want to look at a few teams that are shaking up things early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We interviewed several coaches and asked them about their programs, expectations, and goals. We also added some PGH analysis on what to look out for with each program. Today, we take a look at the Lakeland Dreadnaughts out of Lakeland, Florida, led by Head Coach&nbsp;<strong>Antonia Bennett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dreadnaughts, at the time of this article, are 7–2 and on a roll early—a big difference from their 0–22 record last season. The big story now is how far can Coach Bennett take this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Three Key Players /With PGH Evaluation:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='839225' first='Kennedy' last='Borders'] |Guard| Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["839225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693b964b3e706"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='839225' first='Kennedy' last='Borders'] is currently averaging 16.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 2.9 APG, and has been leading the team in several categories. Borders is an athletic guard who can handle the ball, slash to the rim, and shoot off the dribble. She has the skill, size, and strength to play at the next level, and she is a leader on the floor both through her effort and her voice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='873946' first='Zakharia' last='Rutledge'] | G/F| Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["873946"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1536510,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693b964b3e785"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='873946' first='Zakharia' last='Rutledge'] is an athletic wing who is averaging 14.8 PPG this season, along with 6.1 RPG, while shooting 39% from the floor. Rutledge's ability to get to the rim, draw fouls, and finish through contact is fueled by her quick first step and relentless will. She and Borders form a strong 1–2 punch on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='748837' first='Taleah' last='Turner'] | Forward | Senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748837"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693b964b3e7e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='748837' first='Taleah' last='Turner'], although averaging 4.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.7 SPG, contributes far beyond the stat sheet. She makes all the hustle plays, does the dirty work, dives for loose balls, and creates extra possessions for her team. She is truly the heartbeat of the team, making everyone else's job around her easier.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two Players Coach is Excited About Contribution and Growth and why: <strong>(Quote from coach Bennett)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<strong> I am excited about our kids' growth and maturity over the course of the season. How we all come together for a common goal and represent Lakeland High School in a way that has been missing for a very long time</strong>"<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1261369"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693b964b3e825"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>"I am excited to see Alex continue to compete and get better each day.&nbsp; This kid is a dawg and accepts every challenge defensively with grit and heart. She is a workhorse and leaves everything out there in the floor. Very exciting to watch.</strong>"<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1536471"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1536507,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693b964b3e874"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>"I am also excited to see JJ become what we need her to be and establish a presence in the post. She's been working hard learning to play big down low. If she continues to trust the process she'll be exciting to watch.</strong>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What class and area are you this year?</strong><br><strong>6A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head coach</strong>- <strong>Antonia Bennett</strong> — Year 1 at Lakeland High School&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Year 12 overall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Style of play&nbsp;</strong>- "For our style of play we are looking to play aggressive positionless basketball"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What will it take to win districts this year?</strong>&nbsp;- "For us to win Districts we need to buy in and play selfless basketball. Take what the defense gives us and trust ourselves and each other"<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Mantra this season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise As One</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->