The Dwyer Panthers were the 56-54 winner over the Palm Beach Gardens Gators when they last played one another back in January of 2023, but their luck changed this time around. Dwyer took a 61-46 bruising from Palm Beach Gardens on Thursday. While losing is never fun, Dwyer can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 149th, while Palm Beach Gardens is ranked 37th).
Several Panthers players turned in solid performances, despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was C'Orna Greene, who scored nine points along with five rebounds and three steals. Another player making a difference was Amy Manzano, who scored 16 points along with six rebounds and five steals.
Dwyer struggled to get the ball back on offense and finished the game with only four offensive rebounds. They were crushed by their opponents in that department as Palm Beach Gardens pulled down 13 offensive rebounds.
It was another big night for Kyana Poitier, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and 18 rebounds for Palm Beach Gardens. Poitier continues to roll, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. Alicia Russell was another key contributor, scoring 14 points along with five assists and five rebounds.
Dwyer's defeat dropped their record down to 6-6. As for Palm Beach Gardens, the win (which was their sixth in a row) raised their record to 14-2.
Dwyer won't have much time to rest: their next contest is against Miami Country Day at 6:30 p.m. on January 12th. As for Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens and North Broward Prep will face off at 7:00 p.m. on January 17th without much rest after finishing up games yesterday.
