By Allen Hamrick
The Panthers have started off the season with a bang winning five of seven games. In the early polls, they appear to be a team to contend with this year. They have tons of talent and speed. First on the docket was Roane County at home. This game is usually a barn burner on offense but turned out to be a heavy defense game with a handful of points on the board.
If you like defensive games this, was it. The Panthers held the usually high scoring Raiders to just 29 points in the game. When it was over it was the Panthers over the Raiders by the score of 49-29. Top shot in the game was Joel Elliott who scored 13 points followed by Spencer Faulkner and Michael Foster with 10 each.
Once they cleaned up there, they were at home against Gilmer. Now on the other hand, if you like high scoring offense this was the game to be at. The Panthers showed that they were there to play ball. They had plenty of tricks up their sleeves and set the net on fire. Joel Elliott got his sights set and went on scoring frenzy, scoring 30 points in the game followed by Michael Foster with 21 of his own.
They went on to win the game 75- 68.
The Panther defense closed the gaps in the paint and held the fouls to a minimum. They also kept their opponents busy in the perimeter and stopped any big scoring. Gilmer had one player who got the ball, shot it and made it, scoring 37 points for Gilmer. If the Panthers can keep this pace and keep the mistakes to a slow crawl, it will be a good year for them. This week there will be a couple of tough ones against Buffalo on Monday night and Nicholas on Friday night. The Panthers seem well versed in how to handle the competition. Get out and support your teams.
