West Orange girls basketball wins regional quarterfinal in dramatic fashion | Observer Preps

WINTER GARDEN — Azure Taylor scored a go-ahead basket with 2:15 remaining in the FHSAA Class 9A, Region 1 Quarterfinals, giving the West Orange girls basketball team a 49-48 lead over visiting Timber Creek — the Warriors' first lead of the night.

West Orange held on to that lead and ultimately defeated the Wolves 53-51. 

Junior wing Kennedi Rodgers scored a game-high 27 points for the Warriors — including 15 pivotal points in the second half.

"(Rodgers) has progressed so much," West Orange head coach Shrell Chamberlain said. "I've just seen such great improvement and she's playing with such confidence — she's taking the coaching."

It was the second time in as many games that the Warriors (24-4) found themselves facing a halftime deficit — nine points in the regional quarterfinals Thursday night as opposed to 16 points in the district final Feb. 9. 

Much the same as they did six days earlier, the girls for West Orange stayed positive and found a way to turn the tide down the stretch.

"What we said during the first half was to trusting each other and keep passing the ball," Rodgers said. "We just had to keep fighting, keep attacking." 

Timber Creek (23-5) was led by Jasmine Smith, who scored 21 points on the night.

West Orange will now prepare to host Colonial (23-5) in the regional semifinals Feb. 20. Colonial defeated Wekiva in its respective regional quarterfinal.

Game time Tuesday is 7 p.m.