Coach Eric Shea continued using his two platoon system in a middle school basketball game against Hardee and, it as it did with Sebring the previous week, the result was very successful. In comparison with the first time the two teams played earlier in the season, the vast improvement belonged to DeSoto. So much, in fact, you could hardly tell one platoon from the other at times.

Coach Shea started the so-called second platoon against Hardee and the DMS boys quickly jumped off to a 6-0 lead. Hardee scored two quick buckets at the end of the quarter to give the Panthers a 6-4 advantage. Anthony Zeigler scored a basket and two free throws for the Panthers.