After a devastating 43-46 loss against Booker (14-6) in the regional quarterfinals last season, the Lady Knights claimed redemption on Tuesday, Feb. 14, by taking down the Tornadoes 68-51 in the FHSAA 6A Regional Semifinals.

“Before the game I asked the returners to remember how it felt after last year’s game at Booker,” head coach Stephanie Sweeney said. “We agreed that we were going to leave this game making them feel like that. And I can assure you that we did.”

By advancing to the regional finals, the Lady Knights are on their longest playoff run since 1994.

“We were mentally there tonight,” Christiana Rolack (’18) said. “It feels great to beat Booker and continue this run. I know this has not happened at Robinson in a really long time.”

The Lady Knights came out strong, with aggressive defense and sharp shots to gain the lead early on. Key three-pointers for Parker Franklin (’19) and captain Charlotte Tuohy (’17) helped further their lead in the first half.

Fouls wreaked havoc for both teams, as Booker finished the night with 18 fouls and Robinson with 22. The Tornadoes made 17 out of 25 free throws, and the Knights made 15 out of 21.

Booker’s Chellesy Foster (’19) led both teams in scoring with 34 points, including 11 free throws. She was followed by Robinson’s Kaliah Henderson (’19) with 20 points.

The Lady Knights face Lakewood (19-3) in the FHSAA 6A Regional Finals on Friday, Feb. 17, at Robinson (6311 S. Lois Ave, 33616).

“I have not gotten this far in four years and this is really exciting,” Tuohy said. “We just need to keep the intensity up and I think we can go really far.”