American Heritage was routed by Dillard in early December and bounced from the postseason by the Panthers in the Region 3A semifinals last season, but the Patriots got some measure of revenge Wednesday night with a 62-55 victory over their rivals.

American Heritage coach Natasha Kossenko described the win over the reigning 3A state champions as a milestone. Dillard beat American Heritage 64-46 in December.

“We lost to Dillard in the regional semi [last season]. We had a good team but to come back today to get a win before districts was a stepping stone,” Kossenko said. “We were more focused defensively. Last game we gave up too many points. Our goal in every game is to win every quarter.”

The Patriots (12-3) were led by LSU commit Raigyne Moncrief, who had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.

“Moncrief played great. She gets everyone involved. Deanna Bradley had a great game, too. She had 19 points,” Kossenko said.

This was just on step forward for the Heritage girls.

They have upcoming challenges against several top teams in 3A. This Saturday they face Florida Air Academy and then next week they go on to play Palm Beach Dwyer in the MLK tournament at Pace.

•  American Heritage 62, Dillard 55 – AH (12-3) – Samons 3, R. Moncrief 26, Bradley 19, Osceola 9, Martinez 3, K. Moncrief 2. DIL: Myers 8, Green 2, Adams 4, Parson 3, Wright 17, Clayton 15, Frazier 4, Anderson 2. Three-pointers: Myers 1, Clayton 1, Burns 1, R. Moncrief 1, Osceola 1. Rebounds: Wright 11. Rebounds: R. Moncrief 10. Steals: R. Moncrief 5. Halftime: AH 32-26.

TRACK

American Heritage’s middle-distance star Deja Parrish, who owns the fastest returning girls’ 400-meter time in Florida (53.20), gave a glimpse of things to come with a win at the NCRunners Elite Holiday Invitational in North Carolina.

Parrish, a key member of the Patriots’ reigning state championship team, clocked 57.13 in the 400-meter dash Invitational Division. Parrish will continue her preseason at the Jimmy Carnes meet on Jan. 26-27and the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle on Feb. 24.

ALL-COUNTY

The Miami Herald will publish its All-County Fall Sports section Jan.16.

The section will include football, girls’ volleyball, swimming and diving, golf, cross-country and bowling.

STATISTICS

Coaches can submit their statistics for basketball and soccer to The Miami Herald for inclusion in our leaderboards next week. Please email stats to either dadepreps@MiamiHerald.com in Dade or hssports@MiamiHerald.com in Broward no later than Sunday evening for the following week.

RESULTS

Coaches, please report your game results and statistics by emailing them to hssports@MiamiHerald.com before 10 p.m. on the night when your game is played. Also, please call 305-376-3700 to confirm receipt of your results.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

• Deerfield 63, Taravell 43 – DB: Carpenter 9, Jenkins 5, Owens 7, Johnson 35, Huntley 2, Kelly 3, Williams 2. Tar: Stewart 2, Angelo 9, Outar 13, Reid 7, Pennini 4, Walton 4, McCoy 4. Rebounds: Kelly 8. Assists: Carpenter 5. Steals: Johnson 3. Three-pointers: Johnson 3, Owens 1, Outar 3, Reid 1.

• Archbishop Curley 56, Miami Country Day 40 – CUR (12-5): Lemonier 21, Cheron 14, Ermitus 6, Maurice 2, Brown 15. MCD: Clements 9, Parizo 7, Woodside 6, Alvarez 2, Zimmer 15, Kyddi. Halftime: CUR 21-20. Three-pointers: Ermitus, Clements, Zimmer. Rebounds: Brown 13. Assists: Cheron 3, Lemonier 3, Ermitus 3. Steals: Lemonier 4.