7A State Championship Game: Winter Haven v Dr Phillips

By Michael Wholey 2/27/23 9:00 AM EST   The 2023 FHSAA State Tournament concluded in Lakeland at the RP Funding Center hosting the 1A – 7A State Championship games. Here is a recap of the 6A State Championship game between Winter Haven and Dr Phillips.     GAME RECAP   In a bit of sleeper of a first half, Winter Haven led 10-5 after 1 and 19-9 at half. The game picked up in the second half as did the noise and energy in the RP Funding Center as [player_tooltip player_id='248320' first='Trinity' last='Turner'] had a big 3rd quarter and Dr Phillips cut into Winter Haven lead. Trailing by as much as 9 points in the 4th quarter, Turner kicked into another gear and once again put the team on her back like she did last year vs Miami Senior HS. At one point, Turner hit a 3, stole the ball, and converted a 3 point play the old fashion way for Dr Phillips to take their first lead 39-37 since leading in the 1st quarter 4-0. Besides the play of Turner, rebounding was one of the game's biggest deciding factors with Dr. Phillips outrebounding Winter Haven 42-30, with 19 of those 42 rebounds being offensive rebounds. The game still came down to the final three possessions and Dr Phillips prevailed with a 47-43 victory, claiming the 7A State Championship for the second year in a row.     TOP PROSPECTS   [player_tooltip player_id='248320' first='Trinity' last='Turner'] (Dr. Phillips) 5'8 Guard – Class of 2024   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/332744547_930949231423967_2389968667838014728_n.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-605607" width="205" height="273" /></figure>   After a quiet first half where she had just 4 points, Turner proved big time players make big time plays in big games picking it up in the 2nd half. She did it on both ends, getting to the rim, knocking down 3s, and picking up the defensive pressure. In the second half, she was 7/12 from the field in the second half and willed her team to a second consecutive state championship. Turner's talent is undeniable, and she put it on full display in the 3rd and 4th quarters on both getting after it on both ends of the floor. The savvy defender, picked up the ball pressure, grabbing several steals and converting defense into offense. Trailing by 4 late in the 4th quarter, Turner hit a 3-pointer from the corner, stole the ball from Winter Haven, and converting an old fashion 3-point play, where Dr Phillips went from down 4 to up to 2 in a matter of just 30 seconds. Turner putting her DP team on her back and helping bring home a 7A State Championship for the second year in a row further proves her talent and why she is not only one of the top players in Florida but nationally.     [player_tooltip player_id='861097' first='Serenity' last='Hardy'] (Winter Haven) 5'7 Guard – Class of 2026   Hardy, just a freshman, paced the Lady Blue Devils offensively early. She had 8 points on 3/7 shooting in the first half and was Winter Haven's go to scorer of the night finishing with a team high 18 points. But as Dr Phillips staged a comeback, they denied Hardy the ball in the 4th quarter, and she was not able to get a single shot off in the final 8 minutes. At 5'7 she has a strong build with broad shoulders and is an aggressive penetrator.     [player_tooltip player_id='166213' first='Bre'asia' last='Washington'] (Winter Haven) 5'6 Guard – Class of 2023   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/07/20220409_154833-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-470062" width="135" height="240" /></figure>       Washington finished with 7 points, struggling from the field. While she was not able to make her normal offensive output, she was an aggressive defender, rebounded the ball well from the perimeter position, and did a good job attacking off the dribble creating shots for her teammates.       [player_tooltip player_id='219956' first='Jaeden' last='Williams'] (Winter Haven) 5'9 Wing – Class of 2025   [player_tooltip player_id='219956' first='Jaeden' last='Williams'] sunk 2 free throws in the 4th quarter to give Winter Haven a 9-point lead but that was the biggest lead they would have before Dr Phillips staged their comeback.  Williams also struggled from the field not finding a way to put the ball in the basket in her normal productive fashion.  But at 5'9 she rebounded the ball well from both the wing and forward spot as well as was active on the defensive end.  Playing aggressive on the ball, tipping several balls, and running through passing lanes.  She uses her athleticism and length well.      [player_tooltip player_id='514550' first='Kendall' last='Perry'] (Dr. Phillips) 5'8 Guard – Class of 2026   Perry was one of Dr Phillips go to players all season despite just being a freshman. She struggled in the first half as points were hard to come by for Dr Phillips with them scoring just 9 points through the first 2 quarters. But as [player_tooltip player_id='248320' first='Trinity' last='Turner'] picked up the intensity and the pressure on the defensive end, Perry followed. The athletic, dynamic freshman is a talented two-way player who is extremely active and productive on both ends of the floor.     Michael Wholey is the lead scout for Florida Prep Girls Hoop Florida and a former division one Assistant Coach at American University, University of Memphis, and Georgia Tech.  Wholey and the rest of the Prep Girls Hoop staff, seek to cover the entire state of player, keeping subscribers up to date with player evaluations, recruiting info, and statewide news.  Our audience often supplies us with some of our best information.  If you have any information on players, teams, or statewide news in the state of Florida, emailing Michael Wholey at <a href="mailto:WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com">WholeyPrepHoops@gmail.com</a> or DM him through Twitter or Instagram @WholeyPrepHoops.

By Michael Wholey 2/27/23 9:00 AM EST