Panthers defeated by Spearman Lynx in Bi-District Playoff
By Nicole Kuehler
The Panhandle Panthers finished their season in a nailbiter against the Spearman Lynx in the Bi-District Championship game on Tuesday night, Feb. 18 in Amarillo.
Spearman was off to a fast start with the first 9 points in the game. The Panthers finally came alive with two buckets from Wes Kuehler in the paint, free throws from Landen Andrews and Cooper Brinkley, and a three-pointer from Dylan Pohlmeier to tie the game 9 all at the end of the first quarter.
Luke Schmucker started off the Panthers in the second quarter with a nice 3-point score. Spearman was quick to answer with a bucket and Kuehler followed it up with 2 points of his own. Caiden Crook added a free throw, but the Lynx went on a run at the end of the quarter with 7 unanswered points to take a large 11-point lead to end the half with the score Spearman 26-Panhandle 15.
The Panthers battled their way back in the third quarter. Baskets by Crook, Pohlmeier, and Caden Armes brought the Panthers within 7 points, and a big 3-point bucket from Luke Schmucker made the score, Spearman 34-Panhandle 30 to end the third quarter.
Panhandle started the scoring in the fourth quarter with an assist from Schmucker to Kuehler for 2 points. Schmucker then added 2 points of his own after a Lynx turnover. Spearman made a 3- point basket and it was a 1-point game with 6:16 left in the fourth. Schmucker and Kuehler connected for another basket after the time out. Spearman scored on an offensive rebound to go back up by 1-point, but Caden Armes answered with a tough shot in the lane to put Panhandle up 38-37 at the 4:31 mark. Spearman scored two baskets and Pohlmeier added one of his own. The score had Spearman up by one point 41-40 with 2:19 left. Spearman was the first to score out of the time out, but Armes with a nice assist and one to Kuehler on a 3-point play put the Panthers up by one.
Spearman then made 2 free throws off a foul and went back up 45-44 with 1:01 left in the game. A costly turnover gave the ball back to Spearman with 50.4 left on the clock. Panhandle was forced to foul, and the Lynx made their free throws to make it a 4-point game with 25.4 seconds to go. Armes got a 3-point shot off, but it did not fall. Spearman would go on to win the game 47 to 43.
Panhandle ended its season 17-10.
Bi-District Playoff
Panthers vs. Spearman
SCORES BY QUARTERS
Panthers 9 15 30 43
Spearman 9 26 34 47
Points: Kuehler 15; Schmucker 8; Armes 8; Pohlmeier 7; Crook 5; Landen Andrews 1; Cooper Brinkley 1
Rebounds: Kuehlder 9; Brinkley 3; Armes 3; Pohlmeier 3; Andrews 2; Schmucker 1; Armes 1
Assists: Kuehler 3; Schmucker 3; Armes 3
Steals: Pohlmeier 2; Armes 1
