Lakewood Ranch continued their impressive 2016-17 season as they stayed unbeaten vs. in-state opponents with a 79-55 win over Palmetto in the 8A District 11 Championship.
The Mustangs extend their winning streak to 15 games and have not lost since December 28th. Their 24 wins this season sets a new school single-season record, breaking the record just set by last year's Region Finalist team.
It's been all about balance and teamwork for Jeremy Schiller's Mustangs this year, with six players averaging at least 5.8 ppg. For the fourth time this season, all 11 players on the roster scored in the rout over Palmetto.
Junior Damien Gordon led the way with 21 points, while Sam Hester, the program's all-time leading scorer added 19 points to his career total, and earned Player of the Game honors. Four other players scored at least six points for Lakewood Ranch.
Palmetto's athletic duo of Jermain Graham and Dequan Kirce kept the Tigers in the game, scoring 14 of their team's 22 first-half points. Graham finished with 18 points and nine rebounds while Kirce tallied 16 points.
Lakewood Ranch (24-2) repeats as district champions for the first time in program history. They have their sights set on their first-ever trip to The Lakeland Center in March, while they could become the first Manatee County public school to make consecutive Region Finals appearances since Southeast in the mid-90s.
Palmetto (13-8) will be on the road for an 8A Region 3 Quarterfinal, but still advance to the playoffs for the second straight season and the fifth time in the last six seasons under Reggie Bellamy.
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