PHOTOS: Dr. Phillips High boys water polo tops West Orange High in district finals

Sports
High Schools

The Dr. Phillips Panthers boys water polo team topped the West Orange Warriors in the Class 1A, District 5 championship game on April 5 at the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center, 13-10.

After the Warriors (20-6) took a 9-6 lead into the fourth quarter, the Panthers (25-2) came roaring back with clutch goals from senior Ryan Tannus and sophomore Emanuel Pardo in the final minutes of the game.

West Orange seniors Daniel Raz and goalie Devon Hessert were key performers in the Warriors' effort against Florida's No. 1 ranked team.

This is the second time this season DP has topped West Orange, previously winning a 14-12 game in March.

The two may once again face off in the regional playoffs, but the FHSAA State Championship brackets have yet to be released.

author

Sam Albuquerque

A native of João Pessoa, Brazil, Sam Albuquerque moved in 1997 to Central Florida as a kid. After earning a communications degree in 2016 from the University of Central Florida, he started his career covering sports as a producer for a local radio station, ESPN 580 Orlando. He went on to earn a master’s degree in editorial journalism from Northwestern University, before moving to South Carolina to cover local sports for the USA Today Network’s Spartanburg Herald-Journal. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, Sarah, newborn son, Noah, and dog named Skulí.