Plant’s girls basketball team is starting to accumulate the accolades befitting a state champion. 

Kendal Cheesman, who led the Panthers to their first title earlier this month, was named the Class 7A state player of the year by the Florida Dairy Farmers. 

The Vanderbilt signee averaged 17.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals during her senior season. In the 7A title game, Cheesman was a force around the basket, finishing with 24 points and 18 rebounds in Plant’s 52-40 win over defending state champion Miami that avenged a loss in the title game a year ago. 

For Mahon, this is her second straight season winning the coach of the year award. After leading the Panthers to their first title game appearance lat season, Mahon guided them to a 26-3 record and trip back to the title game. 

This time, Plant prevailed to win the school’s first state title in girls basketball. 

The winners in each classification were selected through voting from a statewide panel of girls basketball coaches and media representatives. They are now eligible to be named the overall winner in the state, which will go through another round of voting and likely be announced next week.