If you thought defending a state championship was tough, try doing it after graduating five players and inheriting a team with no seniors and a freshman backcourt.

That's the task South Broward High coach Sharlene Ferguson is taking on.

So far, her squad hasn't missed a beat.

The Bulldogs continued to roll in their semifinal matchup at the Junior Orange Bowl Classic on Monday, beating North Miami Beach 59-42 at the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus.

South Broward, which was thought to be rebuilding this season, improved to 11-1.

After winning the Hawk Kreul Classic a week ago, the Bulldogs are aiming for the Junior Orange Bowl title in the finals against Nova High with almost a new team.

Gone this year are Angela Smith and Ruthie Martin in the backcourt, replaced by ninth-graders Taylor-Ashley Shaw and Cederick Sweeting.

Despite the Bulldogs' occasional lapses, Ferguson likes what she has seen.

''It's their tenacity,'' said Ferguson, whose team plays Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ``They're not scared. They'll come at you. And, plus, they're willing to learn.''

On Monday, Shaw and Sweeting didn't attempt a single field goal.

They didn't have to.

As it's been for most of the year, Alicia DeVaughn -- the lone returning starter from last year's 6A state championship team -- and Krystal Saunders -- a transfer from Jackson High School in Georgia -- led the way, scoring 22 points each and combining for 20 rebounds.

In her first year with South Broward, Saunders wasn't even aware how many players graduated from last year's team.

All she knows is this squad is good enough to repeat.

''I think we have a great chance,'' Saunders said. ``We have a great team, and we work hard. I think the more we work hard, the better we'll be.

``We're going to go to Lakeland again.''

• Nova 47, Lake Mary 32: After South Broward took care of business, Nova (11-1) had no problems getting by Lake Mary -- a 1A team from Central Florida that went 18-9 during the regular season before losing in the regional semifinals last season.

Jassany Williams scored a game-high 17 points while pulling down 14 rebounds, and the Titans outscored Lake Mary 16-7 in the second quarter in the eventual route.

Nova now moves on to the Junior Orange Bowl Classic championship for the first time after playing in the tournament the past three years, and a matchup against its Broward rival awaits.

''This is for county bragging rights,'' Nova coach Jason Hively said.

``We won the Savannah Classic, and we talked about going into the New Year with two tournament victories. We believe this tournament is a step up in caliber, and a step up in competition, so to win this tournament [Tuesday] would mean a lot.''

BOYS' BASKETBALL

• D-Hop Classic -- Palm Beach Lakes -- Santaluces 76, Ely 73 -- Ely (9-3) gave up a 10-point halftime lead and lost. Santaluces's Jeff Romeus picked up a loose ball with :08 seconds left and made a game winning three-pointer to give Santaluces (9-0) the win. The Tigers were led by senior guard David Jean-Jaques with 21 points and 19 points from forward Bryce Clark.

Santaluces 76, Ely 73 (OT)

Ely (9-3): Jean-Jacques 21, Buchanan 2, Clark 19, Conner 11, Randolph 2, Decoste 6, Isaac 12.

Sant (9-0): Smith 11, Roberts 23, Romeus 18, Clerger 6, Pierrevilus 11, Johnson 4, Green 3, Lambert 2, Peterkin 4.

Half: Ely 39-28. Three-pointers: Conner 1, Romeus 4, Roberts 2, Smith 1, Jean-Jacques 5. Steals: Jean-Jacques 6. Rebounds: Clark 14, Decoste 6. Assists: Conner 6.

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