Newberry Girls Basketball Advances to Region Semifinal

NEWBERRY — The Newberry Panthers punched their ticket Friday to the Class 3A-Region 1 girls basketball semifinal with a 56-42 win against Episcopal School of Jacksonville.

Senior Brandy Whitfield had a team-high 17 points and sophomore Destiny Neal added 14 to set up the Panthers (20-4) for another home game against South Walton (19-6) in next Friday’s semifinal.

Whitfield scored her 2,000th-career point in last week’s district tournament. The milestone has been on her mind.

“When I hit 1,000, I just immediately wanted two,” Whitfield said. “I wanted something that nobody has.” 

Whitfield suffered an ankle injury halfway through the third quarter and had to be assisted by coach Jessica Ross and the athletic trainer. She returned with two minutes left in the quarter. 

Whitfield said the adrenaline is what allowed her to finish the game. 

 “If I don’t finish out this game, I’m going to let my team down,” Whitfield said.

Two seed Newberry took control of the game in leading 22-11 after the first quarter and 38-22 at the half against the seven seed Eagles (18-9).

Last season ended for the Panthers during the regional semifinals, 56-46 at Panama City Rutherford. Ross knows how they plan to get over that hump this year against three seed South Walton.

“The only thing you can control in basketball is defense,” Ross said. “Since day one, defense. That is what’s going to win the game.”

2026 FHSAA Girls Basketball State Championship Tournament Class 3A

Category: Basketball, High School Sports, Newberry High School