By Allen Hamrick
The Panther basketball team locked horns with Buffalo this past week as the 2023 basketball homecoming game got underway. It was another barn burner, but the Panther claws never made it out of the paw. The Panthers couldn’t seem to get locked into the net in the first period and their defense just wasn’t quick enough to handle the fast action plays of Buffalo as they went on a 24 point rampage in the first period. The Panthers were able to notch eight of their own but were down and would have to figure out their offense and stop it or slow it down. Once the period ended, the Panthers came out swinging and got the distance on the net with some fancy shootin’ by Zach Deyton who was top shot in the game with 18 points. Panther defense stepped up and there would be no more 20 point periods, but 16 points is what the Panthers would have to overcome.
By the half the Panthers squeezed the score a little closer at 27-39. Still behind, the Panthers went to work but turnovers started plaguing them as they lost ground on the scoreboard. There was a lot of action in the paint on both sides of the ball; at times it sounded like a patty cake contest with all the contact. It was 39-57 at the end of the 3rd period and the 16 point deficit would be a task to overcome. The 4th period went back and forth as neither team gained much of an advantage. By the time the game clock went to sleep, it was Buffalo over the Panthers by the score of 74-56. The Panthers played a well executed game except for the 1st period and that 16 point deficit became the Panthers’ Achilles heel. Also in double digits for the game was Micah Osborne with 14 and Aiden Brown with 12. Their next game will be at home on February 2 against Meadow Bridge. It will be a tough one so come out and support the Panthers.
Thursday was also homecoming night and royalty time, a time for the
princess from each class to grace the court with her presence. This year’s basketball homecoming queen had all the beauty, poise and grace of a queen that will not be soon forgotten. Chelsea Adkins, daughter of Wesley and Tabitha Adkins of Clendenin, was crowned as the 2023 CCHS queen. If you know this year’s queen, Webster would have to redefine the word queen to portray a woman that is as equally beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, one who cares more for the people around her than she cares for herself and one who defines the word humble by default. She is what a true queen is all about; she will go far in this world and enhance the lives of those who walk in the same circle she does. Chelsea is well deserving of the title of CCHS Homecoming Queen. She, along with crown bearer Kiera Shamblin and her escort Aiden Adkins, gladly accepted the crown from Principal Allen Tanner. Her court consisted of Freshman Princess Cadence “KK” Williams escorted by Wyatt Bailey, Sophomore
Princess Hollie Conley escorted by Zach Rucker, Junior Princess Claudia Ruiz de Erenchun Vera escorted by BJ Williams and Senior Princess Tammara Kathryn Jarvis escorted by Ryan Cox. Class representatives were Freshman Alexus Diaz, Sophomore Morgan Payton, Junior Nathan Wynn and Senior Elijah Armes. Carrying the United States flag and the West Virginia Flag was the Future Leaders Program color guard and Taylor Adkins carried the CCHS flag. Congratulation to Queen Adkins, her court, class representatives and flag bearers.
In other basketball news, the Lady Panthers improved on the season beating Braxton by the score of 41-29. Evie Young was top shot with 13 points. The girls will be back at home on February 3rd against South Harrison. Come out and support the teams!