On Friday night, the Weeki Wachee Hornets secured a 45-44 victory over the Seminole Warhawks in the Region 4A-3 quarterfinal, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. Isabella Priester stepped to the foul line with 6.8 seconds left and sank her second free throw to seal the win.
The fifth-seeded Hornets (18-10) were hosting the fourth-seeded Warhawks (14-12) after winning their district championship. Weeki Wachee head coach Billy Hughes praised his team’s resilience, noting they were down by seven or nine at halftime but managed to rally and secure the win. Hughes emphasized the strong bond within the team, describing it as a “true sisterhood, a true family.”
The Hornets struggled early in the game, building a 9-5 lead in the first quarter but then faltering. However, they managed to regroup and take control. Genesis Beal, a teammate of Priester, expressed confidence in Priester’s ability to make the crucial free throw, saying, “I knew she was going to make that free throw regardless.”
With this win, Weeki Wachee moves on to the Sweet 16, marking a significant advancement for the team after two consecutive first-round exits. The Hornets’ victory was a testament to their determination and teamwork.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
