PHOTOS: Wekiva girls basketball in state semifinals -- Observer Preps

LAKELAND The Wekiva girls basketball team fought until the very end in the FHSAA Class 9A State Semifinals against Miami's Ferguson High, but ultimately the Lady Mustangs could not overcome a 23-point deficit at halftime.

Wekiva fell, 52-33, in the first of two 9A semifinals at the Lakeland Center Feb. 24.

The Mustangs managed just seven points by halftime, trailing 30-7. Though Wekiva outscored Ferguson in the second half, 26-22, it was not nearly enough to offset the devastating first half.

Brierra Williams scored a team-high 12 points for Wekiva, with Tyra Graham, Emmy James and Tehya Perry each chipping in six points.

Despite the disappointing result, the Mustangs — who won a state championship in Class 7A in 2014 and finished as state runners-up in 2015 — have a bright future. Six of the 10 players the program dressed for the state semifinal are either freshmen or sophomores, including Williams and James.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].