Mulberry and McKeel Academy put on quite the show as the Panthers edged the Wildcats 60-57 in overtime to win in the Class 5A, District 8 girls basketball quarterfinals at Mulberry High on Monday.

MULBERRY — Mulberry and McKeel Academy put on quite the show as the Panthers edged the Wildcats 60-57 in overtime to win in the Class 5A, District 8 girls basketball quarterfinals at Mulberry High on Monday.

“Both teams played extremely hard,” said Mulberry coach Michelle Anderson. “Our seniors have really led us all year and they did again tonight.”

Mulberry had defeated McKeel in both regular season contests by very narrow margins — 38-36 and 50-49. But on Monday, the game was even closer as the teams ended regulation tied at 49.

The Panthers (10-13) had scored 19 points in the third quarter to take a 35-26 lead. McKeel (5-12) did not roll over, charging back with a 23-point burst in the fourth quarter thanks to the clutch shooting of Layne Darner and the determination of Alexis Forres. Darner, the daughter of former Florida Southern men's basketabll coach Linc Darner, scored 21 points while Alexis Forbes led the Wildcats with 22 points.

Trailing 49-47 with eight seconds remaining, Forbes stole the ball and drew a foul, connecting on both free throws to send the game to overtime.

But, in the extra period, Cristal Figueroa and Daishla Nieves both hit two clutch baskets for Mulberry as the Panthers scored 11 in overtime. Mulberry was led by Nieves’ 16 points, 12 from Serena McPlatt and 11 from Kaitlyn Cain.

Mulberry gets no rest, however, as they will turn around and face the top-seeded Avon Park on Tuesday in the semifinals.