After winning back-to-back state titles, and dominating the girls basketball scene in Florida, the Dr. Phillips Panthers are bringing a nationally-ranked team to Central Florida.
Two of the nation's best girls basketball programs will face off on Saturday, January 19th, 2013. National power Riverdale Baptist (Maryland) will travel down to Orlando to take on the Panthers in a 6:00 pm tipoff.
The two have met twice over the last two seasons, with Dr. Phillips knocking the Crusaders out of the 2011 ESPN National Tournament on their way to the championship. Riverdale Baptist returned the favor in their last meeting at the 2012 NHSI championship game, 63-59, to claim the title.
The Crusaders finished their 2012 campaign as the No. 3 team in the final USA Today national rankings while DP finished 15th. Both squads return the bulk of their talent next fall so this sets up to be one of the best regular season matchups in the country.