Mustangs Bound for Final Four

Standing in the middle of Palm Harbor's gymnasium, the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team huddled together hoisting their first regional championship trophy. 

The Mustangs held off Palm Harbor 49-42 in the Class 7A-Region 3 finals Feb. 12 to advance to the Class 7A state semifinals. 

Junior forward LaDazhia Williams finished with a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds. Junior India Searls added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Kailyn Scully, who found out she had been accepted to the University of Florida following Lakewood's victory, contributed nine rebounds and eight assists. 

As the regional champion, Lakewood will face Niceville at 10 a.m. Feb. 19. The winner will advance to the state championship to face the winner of the other semifinal between Winter Haven and South Broward.