The Panthers will advance to the GSAC Championship game after defeating the Piedmont Lions in an overtime thriller, 102-97 at Mariotti Gym on Friday afternoon.
The first half was nothing but exciting basketball, with three-pointers, runs, intense defense and fast break points. It was back and forth in the beginning as both teams were trading baskets for the first six minutes of action.
Then the Panthers got in gear, mounting a 14-point lead on a 22-6 run en route to a 31-17 lead with 5:41 remaining in the first half. Antoine Maddox lead the Panther attack, scoring 11 points during that span. He would end up with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals in the half.
The Lions would stage a late run of their own, ending the half with a 12-4 run to close their deficit to within two, 37-35 at the half. Jake Baldwin would lead that run and close the half with 14 points and four rebounds. Fellow teammate Jake Baldwin had 12 points and three assists.
In the second half, it was as advertised in the first half, with exciting hoops and traditional three-point plays and simply who wanted it more.
After a lay-up by Leon Williams put the Panthers up 51-49 with 14:23 to go, the Lions staged a run and controlled most of the second half with their incredible outside shooting, hitting one three after another and would go on a 21-9 run to give Piedmont their biggest lead of the game, 79-71 with 3:26 to go and seemed in control of the game.
But the Panthers and their “never say die” attitude, would stage a quick 8-0 run to tie the game at 79 apiece with 2:48 to go after a jumper by Robby Lawrence.
After Piedmont’s Tyler Whitlock hit a jumper to give them an 83-79 lead, the Panthers held on and kept their composure as they would climb back as Roger McDowell would get fouled and would hit two of three from the free throw line to put the Panthers within two, 83-81 with :24 seconds remaining.
Whitlock would convert one of two free throw attempts with :21 seconds left as Williams would get the rebound and Panthers Head Coach Warren Haynes called timeout with :14 seconds left in regulation.
After the timeout, the Panthers came out as Maddox would fire a three-point attempt that went off to the right, but Williams would come up with the biggest rebound of his career as he came up with the rebound and would find an open teammate in Lawrence as his fade-away three-pointer went in with no time left as he kept the Panthers season alive, with the score, 84-84 at the end of regulation.
The overtime period would be all LaGrange as Piedmont would have three players foul out and the Panthers would control the extra period. Maddox would score six points in the extra period and Williams would hit back-to-back baskets to help give the Panthers an early advantage in the extra period.
In the highest overtime period of the season for the Panthers, they would convert all five free throw attempts to seal the win, including Lawrence, who hit the final four free throw attempts to ice the game.
The Lions end their season at 13-13; 2-4 in the GSAC. They were led by GSAC Co-Player of the Year, Baldwin, who led five Lions in double figures with 24 points, four rebounds and four steals. He was followed by Whitlock with 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Panthers were led by Maddox, who had a career-high 29 points, including six-of-six from the line. Lawrence would finish with 25 points, five rebounds and five steals for the Panthers.
The Panthers will advance to their third-ever GSAC Championship game as they will face the winner of the Maryville/Huntingdon game. Tip-off for tomorrow is scheduled for 4 p.m.