By Allen Hamrick
The Panthers ended their season with a loss against Charleston Catholic on Tuesday night by the score of 38 – 79. I will say this, they lack nothing when it comes to fast paced action. They gave what the fans paid for, but the parachute just wouldn’t open to keep the season going. They came out looking like they would make this matchup with Charleston Catholic a good one; however, the wheels on the buck board started falling off in the first period and didn’t stop till the axle broke. Charleston Catholic racked up close to 40 points in the first half and didn’t look back. The Panthers usual scoring offense just couldn’t get the job done this time. The Panthers have had a rough time with a mid season change in coaches, and they just couldn’t seem to get in gear to this season. However, they are a young team and will return stronger next season. CCHS will lose four players – Kendall Truman, Micah Osborne, Zach Deyton, and Michael Adkins – as they move on to some form of higher learning. These were good ball players who gave a hundred percent in each game they played.
Panther wrestlers have ended their season on the mats at the State Wrestling Tournament held in Huntington over the past weekend. Once again this season, the Panthers were all out at every match up and qualified five individuals for the state competition. They went head to head all season and put some great individual records in the books. This final weekend was a tough event as some of the finest wrestlers were going down in flames getting beat early in the tournament. James Sears, at 113 pounds, wrestled a great tournament, went 4-2 and placed 4th overall. Zane Minger also wrestled a great tournament going 4-1 and placing 3rd overall. Blake Coleman in his freshman year had a great tournament. After losing his first match on Saturday, he fought his way back winning the next three matches and placing 6th in his first state tournament; only time will tell just how far he will go. Logan Hobbs and Dawson Chandler didn’t place among the top scorers but wrestled some tough matches. Next year could very well be the year of the Panther.
With these two events finished, indoor sports come to a close for CCHS and CCMS for this school year. This can only mean one thing – outdoor sports, spring, warm weather, gardens, fishing, racing and white water rafting. Small jaws and bucket mouths will be tail dancing as bent poles will try and land them. Baseball, softball, and track teams are gearing up, as well. Panther baseball and Lady Panther fast pitch softball teams are oiling up the mitts and rotator cuffs in preparation for their fun in the sun as try outs and rostering teams become a daily exercise. The track teams are getting the kinks worked out of their legs and arms and will be a threat at Field events. All of the schedules will be posted online and made available so that you will know when and where to go. Clay County will indeed be the place for spring and summer action, and there will be lots to do to get out of those winter time blues. Not only can you take advantage of school and community youth sports, but there is opportunity for hiking, kayaking, fishing and biking. So, shake the spiders out of those lawn chairs, put batteries in the boom box and clean the mold out of the coolers – you don’t want to miss all the opportunities this county has to offer. No excuses, the great outdoors of Clay County are heating up.
