Lakeland Fl- It was their first “Lakeland experience”, as described by Raines Head Coach Julius Paden. An experience that he hopes they never forget. Although the young Lady Vikings would fall to the more experienced Oxbridge Thunderwolves Wednesday afternoon in the Class 5A State Semifinals, they would learn how it felt to be on the biggest stage in the state. A stage that the Lady Thunderwolves were already accustomed to occupying.
Raines Guard Nyla Allen
Oxbridge Center Kaylon Smith 
Raines Coach Julius Paden
Oxbridge came into the game as defending 5A State champions, appearing in their third straight final 4. So it was no surprise that the talented team out of West Palm Beach came out hot from the start. After Raine’s Teyanna Carswell scored the first points of the game, Oxbridge went on a scoring barrage indicative of a defending champion.
Oxbridge outscored Raines 27-8 in the first quarter led by senior Alexa Zaph. Zaph went two of three from 3-point land as the Lady Thunderwolves shot 5 of 8 from the stripe in the quarter. Aaliyah Stanley, Nasha Gilbert-Taylor, and Haley Howarth would also hit three pointers of their own to give Oxbridge a 27-10 lead after one.
In the second, Raines would clamp down with their signature defense. “We pride ourselves on our defense said Coach Paden. “We like to apply pressure and press”. Raines held Oxbridge scoreless for nearly the first four minutes of the second quarter. The Lady Vikings played up on the guards of Oxbridge daring them to drive. This strategy worked early in the quarter, however Raines was unable to capitalize on the offensive end shooting 6 of 20 from the field in the quarter.
Oxbridge would take a commanding 42-21 lead into halftime and increase that lead in the third quarter. The Lady Thunderwolves outscored Raines 20-10 in the third quarter. Aaliyah Stanley scored a finger roll lay up and
Haley Howarth hit a big three pointer as Oxbridge went up 49-23 quickly out of the gate in the third.
Struck with nerves in the first half, Raines made careless mistakes. Team captain Ahliah Brown missed several easy passes to teammates early on, but made up for it in the second half with big baskets for her team. However her efforts could not match the ones of Oxbridge’s Alexa Zaph.
Zaph torched the Lady Vikings in the first half for 17 points, and finished the game with 21 to lead all scorers. She was able to penetrate off the dribble once Raines changed their defensive strategy to play closer man to man defense. Said Zaph after the game, ” I look at the defender’s legs and I determine if I’m going to drive based off of that”.
Alexa Zaph scored 17 points in the first half for Oxbridge 
Alexa Zaph led all scorers with 21 points in the 5A State Semifinals
Head Coach Tracy Wolfe expounded further. “We know we rely on our outside shooters so it was our game plan to drive to the basket if teams played us close” The plan worked for Coach Wolfe who increased her win total to 92-24 at the school and 146-27 overall. Her team will face Lake Highland Prep in a familiar championship match-up.
For Raines, Coach Paden’s 59-18 record at the school has them on the right track. Their starting lineup consisted of three sophomores and two juniors. If their team stays intact, many believe they will be back to Lakeland. Said center Teyana Carswell (14 points, 12 Rebounds, 2 blocks) ” When we return to Lakeland it’s going to be a whole lot different”.
Raines:
Nyla Allen 8 points,
Ahliah Brown 6 points, 3 steals
Selah Reddick 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Oxbridge:
Nasha Gilbert-Taylor 12 points, 8 rebounds,
Haley Howorth, 12 points, 5 assists, 5 steals
Aaliyah Stanley 8 points, 5 steals
