GAME FILM: DP boys basketball tops Ocoee

OCOEE  The Dr. Phillips Panthers came ready to play Dec. 14 when they traveled to Ocoee High to take on the Knights.

The Panthers (5-1) raced out to a 19-9 lead after one quarter and never looked back, leading by 17 at halftime and concluding the evening with a 90-52 victory. With Dr. Phillips’ entire roster available following the conclusion of football season, head coach Anthony Long likes what he has seen from his athletes.

“We’re progressing and we’re getting better every game because our football players are adjusting,” Long said. “We have a high ceiling for a improvement because our football players, every game, they’re getting better. … We’re excited that we see the potential for even more than what we’re showing right now.”

The Panthers were led by 20 points from Nick Smith and 14 points from Jaquarius “Q” Bargnare — though nine players got in on the scoring fun, showcasing the team’s depth this winter.

Ocoee was led by Damerit Brown's 18 points.

“We don’t see too much difference in our team from our fourth starter to our ninth starter,” Long said. “We’ve been playing more guys than we normally do — we normally play seven guys.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].