Monumental milestone

SARASOTA — Heidi Miller and McKenzie Lantz knew this day would come.

The moment had been etched in the back of their minds every since they started playing basketball for Sarasota Christian in the seventh grade.

But even as their points continued to accumulate this season, and Miller, a junior, and Lantz, a sophomore, learned the time had come for them to join an elite group of players who had come before them, the two refused to get caught up in the excitement.

It wasn’t until Miller and Lantz both reached the 1,000-point mark for their careers last week that they finally acknowledged the accomplishment.

“It’s kind of just another point for me,” Miller says. “It feels good, though, because it’s something my sister (Heather) achieved. It’s never been on my mind, though, because I kind of assumed I’d reach it.”

Lantz agrees.

“It means a lot but, honestly, I don’t even think about it,” Lantz says. “I just enjoy playing with the team. It’s a lot of fun.”

Miller reached the milestone during Sarasota Christian’s regional semifinal game versus Donahue Catholic Feb. 11. Miller learned the day of the game that she needed just five points to reach the 1,000-point mark.

Miller finished with 16 points while helping lead Sarasota Christian to a 59-20 victory.

“I just told myself to keep playing the game,” Miller says.

Following the game, Miller was acknowledged in front of her teammates, family and friends and given the game ball, which all of her teammates signed.

Three days later, Lantz, who sat at 983 points, scored 17 points to reach the milestone while also leading Sarasota Christian to a 49-14 victory over Berean Christian Feb. 14. With the win, the Lady Blazers earned a berth in the Class 2A Final Four for the first time since 2009.

It’s a moment the two won’t soon forget, but, for Miller and Lantz, this season is not simply about them and their individual accomplishments. It’s about coming together as a team and hopefully walking away with a state championship.

Miller and Lantz advanced one step closer to their goal with a 68-59 victory over Academy at the Lakes in the Class 2A state semifinals Feb. 18 at the Lakeland Center. Lantz finished with a team-high 21 points, and Miller added eight points.

“That first half I wondered where (Heidi) went, but in the second half she came alive and provided leadership,” coach Brett Morrow says. “But it was a new stage, and she’s been very good all year.

“McKenzie — is there anyone who plays with that much heart and that much passion?” Morrow asks. “And the good thing about it is she gets two more years of this.”

“It just shows that things are possible because we’ve never gotten (this) close,” Miller says. “We were fortunate to have a really good bracket to play in. We’ve had a much easier road than we had last year.”

With the win, Sarasota Christian will play for the Class 2A state championship at 3:35 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Lakeland Center. The Lady Blazers will face the winner of the other state semifinal between FAMU and Grandview Prep.

“We just can’t let (up),” Lantz says. “We just have to come out strong and don’t let up the intensity. Our defense has been huge, and if we don’t let up then they can’t stop us.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].