Well, the season ended for the Lady Panthers as they took a run toward the state championship this past weekend. The Lady Panthers have cracked the whip all season and had a whale of a regular season finishing with a 20-4 record. They also notched an LKC championship by defeating Sissonville, a Region IV championship defeating Scott, and finally made it to the Elite 8 – the top 8 AA teams in the state – to go head to head with the best. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity closed for a state championship as they were defeated in the first round by rival Sissonville. The Lady Panthers defeated Sissonville twice in regular season with an in your face style of defense and a great offensive push to the basket. Sissonville, not wanting to repeat those two losses, came out with a little different strategy but apparently so did the Lady Panthers. Neither team burnt the boards up in either the first or second halves. At the end of the first quarter, it was 8-8, and both of the defenses were tooth and nail in the trenches. The teams were neck and neck going into halftime at 16 all after a buzzer beater by McKinzee Barker tied the game.
The Lady Panthers all season came out fast and strong on defense using the full court press as their way of disrupting the game and gaining early ground on the points board. That same style of defense changed somewhat, and the Lady Panthers couldn’t get the advantage on the offensive boards that is paramount to their game. However, both teams struggled at the net; they were dead even in the shots made from the field at 16 including the two and three point conversions. Both teams also were neck and neck in the rebounds category with Sissonville having only a slight edge. What appears to be the deciding factor was the lopsided personal fouls committed. According to box scores, the Lady Panthers were called for 18 fouls in the game to Sissonville’s 8. This, although asymmetrical, seems the deciding factor in the game, and combined with the Lady Panthers not being able to buy a basket with a thousand dollar bill led to an early trip home.
The Lady Panthers can hold their heads up high. They had a great season and gave 100 percent to the cause of the game. For four seniors, this was their final dance – McKinzee Barker, Bethany Young, Katelyn Horrocks, and Payton Lucas will be missed as they have been a part of this team’s success for four years and will be remembered as CCHS greats. It is time to rebuild for next season, for another chance at championship fame. With the talent still left on the team and the up and coming new kids on the block from CCMS fame, the CCHS Lady Panthers will no doubt be back in the limelight come fall 2015. Congratulations Lady Panthers on a great season!
