Tough victory earns matchup with No. 1 Ely

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Dwyer boys basketball coach Fred Ross warned his players that Lauderdale Lakes-Boyd Anderson’s mediocre record was deceiving, and he wasn’t just using it as a motivational tool, as the Panthers found out Thursday night.

State-ranked Dwyer overcame a sluggish third quarter to defeat upset-minded Boyd Anderson 63-55 in the quarterfinal round of the Class 7A regional playoffs, and the Panthers needed every bit of energy they could muster to hold off the Cobras.

Dwyer’s win sets up a showdown against unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Blanche Ely in the regional semifinals Tuesday in Pompano Beach.

Boyd Anderson (13-12) rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit with a 140 run in the third quarter and trailed by only one point entering the fourth quarter before Dwyer rediscovered its offense to advance to the next round.

Dwyer (24-4, No. 3 in 7A state poll) didn’t score its first points of the second half until Cedric Quince made two free throws with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter. Boyd Anderson outscored the Panthers 164 in the period to propel the Cobras back into the game, which wasn’t decided until there was almost a minute remaining.

“We have not been good in the third quarter all year,” Ross said. “Maybe we shouldn’t go into the locker room at halftime. Maybe I should change my halftime speech.”

Boyd Anderson point guard Danny Harris was a thorn in the side of the Panthers most of the game, particularly when he penetrated the lane. Harris scored 20 points, including 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. Boyd Anderson made 18 of 20 free throws, compared to Dwyer’s 15-for-26 shooting at the line.

Senior power forward Alex Davis was the only double-digit scorer for Dwyer. Davis finished with 20 points, and his layup with 1:09 remaining gave Dwyer a 62-53 lead that sealed the victory for the Panthers.

“Even though BA lost 11 games, we knew they were a good team and would come in here well-prepared,” Ross said.