April 1, 2013 - DP alumn Shane Larkin is named to the AP All-American team! Congratulations to former Dr. Phillips hoops star Shane Larkin who was just named to the 2nd Team AP All-American team today! Wow! Earlier Shane was named the ACC Player of the Year as voted on by the ACC coaches. Shane was 1st Team All-ACC, and the runner up for ACC defensive player of the year and now he tops off his incredible season by being named an AP All-American. He joins Mason Plumlee (Duke), Marcus Smart (Oklahoma State), Cody Zeller (Indiana), and Ben McLemore (Kansas) on the second team. The first team was Kelly Olynyk (Gonzaga), Doug McDermott (Creighton), Victor Oladipo (Indiana), Otto Porter (Georgetown), and Trey Burke (Michigan). Shane's success is no surprise to anyone who saw him play at Dr. Phillips. He was named 1st Team All State twice and led DP to back to back state runners-up finishes and still holds a bunch of Dr. Phillips records. Now he can add college All-American to his long list of accomplishments. Congratulations and way to represent the 'Panther Nation'. We are all so proud of Shane and how well he has and continues to represent Dr. Phillips High School.


Shane Larkin - AP All-American and the ACC Player of the Year!
March 29, 2013 - RaShawn Powell is named the Class 8A State Player of the Year and becomes a finalist for the Florida 'Mr. Basketball' Award! Congratulations to RaShawn 'Pookie' Powell who was just named the Class 8A state player of the year! This makes him one of the finalists for the Florida 'Mr. Basketball' award as well. This marks only the second time in Dr. Phillips boys basketball history that a player has won this award. Damien Wilkins, currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, won the award on his way to the McDonald's All-American game. Pookie is the only other DP player to take away the honor. DP players Jason Rich (Florida State), Chris Warren (Ole Miss), and Shane Larkin (Miami) all finished as runners-up for the award to Darius Washington (Memphis), Kenny Boynton (Florida), and Austin Rivers (Duke) respectively. Congratulations to RaShawn Pookie Powell on the incredibly prestigious award. RaShawn has taken away just about every personal award that is out there - Class 8A Player of the Year, 'Mr. Florida' Finalist, 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All Central Florida, 1st Team All-Metro, 1st Team All Orange County as well as a host of Dr. Phillips school records - most points in a season, most points per game in a season, most three point baskets made in a season, most free throws made and attempted in a season, most free throws made and attempted in a career, and the third all time DP leading scorer. Congratulations to RaShawn Powell on his many accomplishments. The 'DP Nation' is very proud of you!

Class 8A State Player of the Year and Florida 'Mr. Basketball' Finalist RaShawn 'Pookie' Powell
February 19, 2013 - Wekiva 71 - Dr. Phillips 65 (OT). The Panthers season ends with a regional semifinal playoff loss to Wekiva. Three tenths of a second. Three tenths of a second.....that's how close the Panthers were to advancing to their 10th regional final in 20 years, but it was not meant to be as the Panthers were whistled for a foul with three tenths of a second to go in the game while DP was up one point. Fortunately for DP, Wekiva only made one of two to send the game to overtime, but the Panthers could not prevail in the overtime period falling to Wekiva by a score of 65-71. Already playing without one starter due to injury, the Panthers had one starter foul out in regulation and three other starters fouled out in overtime and the Panthers simply could not overcome it. RaShawn Powell was the game MVP with 30 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Shawn Clement saved his best game as a Panther for last with a career high 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Great game Shawn. Sophomore David Stephen had 8 points including a half court make at the half-time buzzer and two critical free throws with 13 seconds left in regulation. Tyriefe Beard battled foul trouble all game finishing with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Jerard Pierre Louis added 6 points and 2 rebounds. Freshman Justin Tucker had 2 points and Wilkins Desir contributed for the Panthers as well. The last loss of the season always stings the most. The Panthers are very disappointed to have their season ended by Wekiva, but the Panthers try their best to both win and lose with dignity and class. DP congratulates Wekiva High School and coach Scott Williams on their victory. Coach Williams is a first class man and runs a first class program at Wekiva and the Panthers wish them luck in the upcoming regional final. Wekiva would be a great representative of our region in Lakeland. The 'Panther Nation' would like to take this opportunity to thank the seniors for all of their hard work and dedication they have given the basketball program. Thank you RaShawn Powell, Tyriefe Beard, Shawn Clement, Pedro Lalor, Randall Lofton, Ladarius Goodman, and Ben Puleo for continuing the tradition of excellence in the DP hoops program. The loss stings right now, but when we look back on the 2012-13 Panthers and what they accomplished.....it's very impressive. Metro Conference champions for the fourth consecutive season, a 'Sweet 16' playoff appearance for the fifth consecutive season, and 20 wins for a 20th consecutive season against one of the toughest schedules in the state!! Very impressive Panthers. Job well done 2012-13 Panthers. History will look back on this team and smile at their accomplishments.

RaShawn Powell scored 30 points against Wekiva to extend his DP single season scoring record to 811 points.
February 14, 2013 - Dr. Phillips 64 - Apopka 63. The Panthers win their 20th game for the 20th consecutive season and advance to the 'Sweet 16' of the playoffs for the 5th consecutive season with the huge playoff win over Apopka. There was a lot on the line tonight for this Panther squad. The DP boys basketball program has been a model of consistency over the last 19 seasons winning 20 or more games in every season. Coach Long gave this team an incredible challenge with the schedule this season. Despite playing an incredible 17 games this season against state and/or nationally ranked teams this Panther squad was able to stretch this amazing streak to 20 consecutive seasons with 20 wins! This was the toughest season to maintain 'the streak' but the 2012-13 Panthers were up to the challenge as they took down an Apopka team that was 23-3 on the season and champions of their district. Just as importantly the Panthers now advance to the 'Sweet 16' of the Class 8A playoffs for an incredible 5th straight season! Wow! The game was a wild one with two great teams going head to head and neither one backing down! The game was tied at 9 after one, tied at 27 at the half, DP up 5 after three, and the Panthers hung on for the one point victory. RaShawn Powell takes away game MVP honors with a game high 26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Tyriefe Beard was huge for the Panthers despite playing through foul trouble. He had a true stat stuffing line with 13 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals (including the game deciding steal with under 10 seconds to go). Great game Rief! Sophomore David Stephen stepped up huge tonight replacing injured Pedro Lalor with 12 points on 4 huge three's! Way to step up on the huge stage David! Jerard Pierre Louis was a warrior inside logging 6 points and 6 rebounds. Shawn Clement had 5 points and 3 rebounds. Sophomore Wilkins Desir had 5 rebounds and some great defense. Freshman Justin Tucker also got into the game and contributed to the Panther victory! Dr. Phillips came through huge in the final seconds as Tyriefe Beard and Pookie Powell put a trap on Apopka's best player and Tyriefe got the steal and dished a perfect pass to Pookie who was fouled hard on his layup attempt with less than 4 seconds to go. Pookie dropped one of the two free throws and DP played great defense on Apopka's final possession as their desperation three was well off the mark. Great win Panthers! The 'Panther Nation' is very proud of how you gutted out that win against a quality opponent. The Panthers advance to the 'Sweet 16' round of the Class 8A playoffs (Regional Semifinals) on Tuesday night February 19th. DP will play at Wekiva at 7:00 pm for the right to move on to the 'Elite 8' round of the playoffs. Wekiva earned their way to this game by defeating Boone at Boone HS. It should be another great one! Panther fans.....the team needs you to come out in force to Wekiva High School on Tuesday to cheer on the team! Congratulations to the team on winning their 20th game for the 20th consecutive season and advancing to the 'Sweet 16' for the 5th consecutive season. Job well done!

Tyriefe Beard had 13 points and 13 rebounds in the Panther win over Apopka.

Pookie Powell had a game high 26 points including the deciding free throw in the final seconds in the DP one point victory over Apopka.

David Stephen hit four huge three's in the DP regional quarterfinal win over Apopka.
February 8, 2013 - Boone 61 - Dr. Phillips 58. The Panthers come up just a little short of winning their 5th consecutive district championship. This had to be one of the toughest district finals in the entire state. Boone is currently ranked #3 in the state in Class 8A and Dr. Phillips is currently ranked #5 in the state. It figured to be a close one that came down to the final minutes and it did, but unfortunately the Panthers came up just a few plays short and fell to Boone by a score of 61-58. Boone led 14-11 after one and 28-20 at the half. DP then went on a great run in the third quarter to take a 46-37 lead after three, but Boone did not wilt and made one or two more plays in the last two minutes to take the win and the district title. RaShawn Powell led DP with 29 points, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. Tyriefe Beard had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Wilkins Desir played well off the bench with 5 points. Jerard Pierre Louis led DP with 8 rebounds and 4 points and Shawn Clement added three points, but it wasn't enough. Boone had 4 players in double figures while the Panthers could only manage two. Dr. Phillips played well. They really did.....much better than they played the first time DP played Boone, but Boone is a very good team. Give the Braves some credit. They are a fine ball team that's tough to beat. They were the better team on this night. The Panthers can only hope that they can earn another shot at Boone by winning their next playoff game. If the Panthers can beat the Braves in the regional playoffs it will certainly take some of the sting off of this loss. That game is ultimately the most important game in the big picture, but to get to that game the Panthers are going to have to go on the road and defeat a very talented Apopka team. DP will take on Apopka at Apopka on Thursday February 14th at 7:00 pm in the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 8A playoffs. Apopka earned the home game by winning their district championship over Wekiva. DP fell to Apopka by three points in the regular season so the Panthers will be hoping to gain some revenge for their earlier loss to the Blue Darters. Apopka is 24-3 on the season, so they will beat a very tough team to beat but the Panthers will be ready for the challenge and hopefully can earn a rematch with Boone with a victory over Apopka. Good luck to the Panthers as they prepare for the Class 8A playoffs. There are only 32 teams left alive in Class 8A out of 96 teams. That in itself is a great accomplishment, but the Panthers are hungry to make the 'Sweet 16' with a win on Thursday. Congratulations to Pookie Powell who became the DP all time single season scoring leader as well as the all time DP three pointers made in a season record holder with his performance tonight. Good luck on Thursday against the Blue Darters!

Tyriefe Beard had 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block against Boone.
February 6, 2013 - Dr. Phillips 65 - Freedom 59. The Panthers qualify for the Class 8A state playoffs for the 5th year in a row with a big district semifinal win over Freedom. Any high school coach will tell you this.....the district semifinal game is the most stressful game of the year. Win and you're in the playoffs.....lose and your season is over. It's always a pressure packed game for everyone involved, but the Panther team was up to the task as they advanced to the district title game for the fifth consecutive season with the 65-59 over a very talented Freedom squad. The first quarter was tight with DP taking a 14-12 lead. The Panthers extended their lead to 28-19 at halftime, but Freedom controlled the third quarter and trimmed the Panther lead to 38-37 after three quarters. Dr. Phillips controlled the fourth quarter behind 16 fourth quarter points from RaShawn Powell to pull away for the hard fought victory. RaShawn Powell earns game MVP honors with 34 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. RaShawn is now just two points shy of breaking Chris Warren's single season scoring record and three three pointers shy of Chris Warren's three pointers made in a season record. Tyriefe Beard was his normal stat stuffing self with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Jerard Pierre Louis came up big with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Pedro Lalor had 5 points and 3 rebounds before having to leave the game with a hand injury in the third quarter. Shawn Clement had two points but his contribution on defense was critical to the Panthers success. David Stephen played well for the third consecutive game logging three points for DP. It was a great overall effort and a huge win for the Panthers. It is a bitter sweet victory however as Panther senior starter and third leading scorer Pedro Lalor broke his hand in the third quarter and is out for the rest of the season. The team and the coaches are heart-broken for Pedro and will certainly miss what he brings to the team on the court. Thank you, Pedro, for all of your hard work and dedication to the Panther program. Dr. Phillips improves to 19-7 on the season and will play next on Friday night at 7:00 pm against Boone High School in the district championship game at Cypress Creek High School. The Panthers will be gunning for their 5th consecutive district championship and their 11th overall district championship on Friday. It certainly won't be easy as the Boone Braves are a tough opponent, ranked #3 in the state in Class 8A, but the Panthers have been hoping for a rematch with the Braves after their disappointing 35-43 loss to Boone earlier in the season. It should be a great game! Panther fans....come out to Cypress Creek on Friday and support your team in their quest for the district championship! Congrats to the team on qualifying for the state playoffs and making the district title game.

RaShawn Powell had 34 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in the Panther win over Freedom.

Tyriefe Beard had 11 points and 13 rebounds in the DP district semifinal victory over Freedom.

Jerard Pierre Louis had 10 points and 5 rebounds in the Panther win over Freedom.
February 2, 2013 - Lake Wales 75 - Dr. Phillips 72. The Panthers lose at the buzzer to Lake Wales. The Panthers battled hard all game long against a very talented team but came up just short at the end. DP went up by one with about thirty seconds to go in the game on a huge three pointer by sophomore David Stephen, but DP was unable to get the final critical stop on defense as the Highlanders took the win. RaShawn Powell was the game MVP with a game high 33 points. David Stephen got his first varsity start and played very well with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Shawn Clement added 6 points and 3 rebounds. Justin Tucker had 2 points and 5 rebounds in his first varsity start. Randall Lofton had 2 points and 3 rebounds and Wilkins Desir added 1 point and 3 rebounds for the Panthers. The Panthers would obviously liked to have won the game, but the reason for playing such a good opponent on the final regular season game of the year was to prepare the team for next week's district tournament. Hopefully the game did just that. Dr. Phillips now will focus their attention to the district tournament. Dr. Phillips, the #2 seed, will take on Freedom, the #3 seed, in the district tournament semifinals on Wednesday February 6, 2013 at 6:00 pm at Cypress Creek High School. This is the biggest game of the season up to this point for the Panthers. With a win the Panthers will advance to the district title game and the Class 8A state playoffs. With a loss the Panthers season is over. DP has played all of these highly ranked teams throughout the course of the season to prepare for these February games. The upcoming weeks will define the legacy of the 2012-13 Panthers basketball team. Good luck to the Panthers against Freedom on Wednesday!

Sophomore David Stephen had 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in his first varsity start against Lake Wales.

RaShawn Powell had 33 points against Lake Wales.
February 1, 2013 - Dr. Phillips 62 - Winter Park 50. The Panthers get a big win on 'Senior Night'. Tonight was the Panthers 'Senior Night' in which the six DP seniors were recognized and honored for their hard work, dedication, and sacrifices towards the Panther basketball program. RaShawn Powell, Shawn Clement, Randall Lofton, Ladarius Goodman, and Ben Puleo were all honored before the game in a ceremony in front of the Panther fans. Pedro Lalor, another senior, was unable to attend the 'Senior Night' due to the death of his grandfather. The Panthers went with an all senior lineup instead of the regular starters and the lack of cohesion was evident as the lineup hasn't really played together this season. DP found themselves down 14-8 at the end of the first quarter. The Panthers outscored the Wildcats by two in the second quarter but still found themselves down 25-21 at the half. DP went back to their regular lineup (minus Pedro Lalor) in the third quarter and the team finally began to click as the Panthers outscored Winter Park by 11 points to take a 41-34 lead at the end of the third quarter. DP would continue to extend the lead in the fourth quarter and pulled away for the 62-50 win. RaShawn Powell took away game MVP honors with 25 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. Shawn Clement was a stat stuffer on this night with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. David Stephen played one of his best games of the season with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Ladarius Goodman had 2 points for the Panthers. Wilkins Desir had 3 points. Jerard Pierre Louis had his second straight game with double figure rebounds grabbing 10 boards to go with two points. Randall Lofton had 1 point and a rebound and Ben Puleo logged a rebound on his senior night. The Panthers improve to 18-6 on the season. DP plays next on Saturday (Feb. 2) night at Bartow High School's 'Stinger Shootout' at 9:00 pm against Lake Wales High School. The game is being televised live by Bright House Network (Ch. 47 and/or 1147). Lake Wales is the defending 5A state champions so they will definitely provide the Panthers with a tough test in their preparation for the district tournament next week. Congratulations to the Panthers on their big 'Senior Night' win. Thank you to the Panther seniors for all of the hard work and dedication you have shown throughout your years in the DP basketball program, and good luck to the team as they take on Polk County powerhouse Lake Wales High School.

Shawn Clement had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the Panther win over Winter Park.

Pookie Powell had 25 points in the DP victory over Winter Park on 'Senior Night'.
January 29, 2013 - Dr. Phillips 62 - Jones 49. Dr. Phillips wins the Metro Conference for the 4th consecutive season and 12th time in school history with the win over Jones! This was a big game for the Panthers. In the Dr. Phillips program the team goals have remained the same for the last 20 years - win districts, win the Metro, win the region, and win the state. Tonight the Panthers had the chance to clinch one of those goals. With a win over Metro-West foe Jones, Dr. Phillips would win the Metro-West Conference outright with a 7-1 overall record. All other teams in the Metro-West have at least two conference losses. The Jones Tigers wouldn't make it easy on DP, but championships aren't supposed to be easy. DP broke open a very close game through three quarters with a 4th quarter explosion to defeat Jones and capture the Metro-West conference championship. RaShawn Powell was his normal stat stuffing self logging a game high 28 points to go with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Pedro Lalor had 7 big 4th quarter points to go with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Jerard Pierre Louis had a great stat stuffing line with 6 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 2 charges taken, and 1 assist. Great job Jerard! Justin Tucker led DP in steals for the game with 3 to go with 5 rebounds, 2 points, and an assist. David Stephen and Shawn Clement each chipped in two points in the Panther victory as well. Dr. Phillips improves to 17-6 on the season and finishes 1st in the Metro with a 7-1 record. Here are two very impressive statistics that show what the Panthers accomplished on this night. DP won its 12th Metro Conference championship tonight and its 4th consecutive Metro championship. Since DP opened and entered the Metro in the 1987-88 the next closest amount of Metro titles compared to DP's 12 is five Metro titles by Evans. The Metro Conference has been in existence since the 1963-64 season. In the nearly 50 years of the Metro Conference there has only been 3 times when a school has won four consecutive boys basketball Metro championships. Evans High school won 5 Metro titles in a row (1972, 73, 74, 75, 76). Dr. Phillips under Coach Theo McWhite won four Metro titles in a row in 1992, 93, 94, 95, and now the Panthers of Dr. Phillips have done it again winning the Metro title in 2010, 11, 12, and 13!! Wow! Congratulations to the team on accomplishing something special. It's very, very hard to win one Metro Conference Championship. Your Panthers have done it 4 times in a row (and 12 times in school history)! Congrats to the team on making your mark in this program's storied history. DP's next home game is 'Senior Night' on Friday February 1st as the Panthers take on Winter Park High School. Game time is 7:30 pm. Our Seniors deserve a great send-off! Panther Nation....come out in force on Friday night to honor our seniors.