Southeast Coach John Harder wore the same orange and blue plaid jacket and saddle shoes he donned during last year’s state championship victory.
Harder’s apparel didn’t have the same mojo this year as the defending state champs fell to Dillard, 73-29, in the Class 5A state semifinals.
Dillard will play Jacksonville Paxon for the 5A tittle LIVE on BHSN (Channel 47/ HD 1147)Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Panthers, winners of four-straight state titles until they were bounced from the regional finals by Rockledge last year, stormed out to a quick lead in the first half. They won the battle of the boards (27-200 and turned the ball over only six times to Southeast’s 16.
That helped lead to a 42-15 halftime lead.
Southeast fought off a running clock as long as they could in the second half. The Seminoles held it off until the 1:55 mark of the third quarter. The Panthers outscored Southeast 22-6 in the third and then coasted in the fourth.
Sophie Giardina and Marline Valcin led Southeast with nine points each.
Jamesha Paul led Dillard with 21 points. She was one of four Panthers players in double figures.