A 31-2 run puts American Heritage on verge of 6th straight girls’ basketball state title
At the start of every game no matter where it falls on the calendar, Plantation American Heritage sets a target score for its defense and, because American Heritage is no arguably the premier powerhouse in Florida, the number is usually shocking low. In the first quarter of the Class 5A semifinals Thursday, Clearwater was already about halfway there — with 14 points and a narrow lead — and so Greg Farias took a timeout.
“I said, ‘Look, we’re not playing Heritage basketball. We’re letting people score,’” the coach said. “They finally woke up.”
The Patriots came out of the timeout, closed the first quarter with 10 straight points and a 71-33 rout was underway in Lakeland. American Heritage finished the first half on a 31-2 run — the Patriots outscored the Tornadoes, 21-2, in the second quarter — and coasted into yet another state title game.
Now, a shot at history awaits. American Heritage (23-7) is one win away from tying a Florida High School Athletic Association record with six straight girls’ basketball state titles. The Patriots will face Daytona Beach Mainland in the 5A championship Saturday back at the RP Funding Center.
The celebration after the semifinals, Farias noted, was subdued because American Heritage has larger goals ahead.
“As soon as playoffs start, everyone kind of understands what’s at stake and it’s win or go home,” said senior wing Sydni Studesville, who’s trying to win her fourth championship in four years. “Every year I’ve been on this team, it always peaks at the right time and pays off.”
It certainly did in the 5A semifinals. Clearwater (18-11) did lead 14-12 in the first, but any drama was sucked away by halftime thanks to the Patriots’ second-quarter beatdown. The Tornadoes shot just 23.4 percent from the field and 7.1 percent from three-point range. The defense, which is at the core of American Heritage’s identity, was about as dominant as it could be.
Depth is other the key piece of the Patriots’ identity this year — last year, American Heritage had a vastly different look, leaning heavily on Ta’Niya Latson, who’s now a freshman phenom for the Florida State Seminoles — and they put up 71 points despite not having a single player score more than 12.
Studesville led the way with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and four other teammates joined her in double figures. Freshman guards Jasleen Green and Teriyah McFadden both scored 11, and McFadden added 13 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and three steals. Junior guard Arielle Facyson added 10 points, five assists and three steals. Sophomore post player Dezuray McGill scored 10 and added three assists. Everyone to play at least 15 minutes scored at least six points and everyone who played shot at least 50 percent from the floor.
In the last six games before the final four, American Heritage had six different leading scorers.
“I like where I don’t have the main person because I have different ones,” Farias said. “That’s harder for a team to scout us.”
Farias does not take for granted what his program is accomplishing. He thinks back to when he was a player and got to the final four once and just once. Every time he leaves George Jenkins Arena after the Patriots’ final game of the season, he takes a photo. It’s his way of saying,” I don’t know if I’m going to be back or not,” he said.
For most a decade now, American Heritage keeps coming back. He tries not to set expectations, but there are no illusions about what the goal is for the Patriots every season and they’re now closing in on it.
Said Farias: “It’s been incredible, honestly.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2023 at 4:32 PM.
