Following a close game against Trinity, varsity boys basketball lost 48-46. The Panthers struggled to close the gap in the second half.
Due to the teams being matched in relative skill, the game was close throughout, even going into overtime.
The highest scorer for the Panthers was junior Scott Stevens with 15 points. Senior Steven Barro and junior William Robinson contributed 10 points and 7 points, respectively.
On the Trinity side, Kalen Shemwell led the Lions with 16 points. Second to him were Ernesto Almonte and Jon Koger tied with 13 points each.
“A lot of it is the little things,” assistant coach Patrick Cheney said. ”It’s boxing out second-chance opportunities for the other team.”
The beginning of the game showed promise for both teams as they kept a very close score through the first quarter.
This was the story for the second quarter as well. Every time one team scored, the other scored right back. Their battle went on for the rest of the game. Trinity led 17-16 at the half.
Neither team wanted to give up before the other. However, where the Panthers were strong on offense, their defense faltered. This allowed Trinity to take advantage, courtesy of sharp three-point shooting from Koger.
It just takes one good win for everything to get back on track.”
— assistant coach Patrick Cheney
“We need to win our next few games so we can get to the playoffs,” Robinson said. “We need to put in the work.”
The fourth quarter was a battle of momentum. In the end, both teams kept pace with the other, which led to a 41-41 score at the end of regulation.
In overtime, both teams remained evenly matched. It was a last-second shot by Trinity that resulted in the win, 48-46.
“Sometimes you just get into that rut,” Cheney said. “It just takes one good win for everything to get back on track.”
Starr’s Mill played another close game the following day. After Barro’s last-second shot bounced off the rim, the Chiefs protected their home court in a 45-44 win.
The Panthers ended a three-game skid last night, defeating the Riverdale Raiders 56-43. The team is now 7-4 in region play.
Starr’s Mill travels to LaGrange on February 2 for a varsity doubleheader.