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Panthers cool off with second straight loss |
2010-01-25 |
By Christopher Dunn |
The Starr's Mill Panthers started the region slate by winning four of their first five contests, but Tri-Cities and Lithia Springs brought the soaring Panthers back to earth with a couple of tough games this week.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs defeated Starr's Mill 49-40 in East Point. Then, on Wednesday, the Lions of Lithia Springs surged out front and held on for a 58-54 win at "The Mill." The latter game was originally slated for Saturday, but had to be rescheduled due to a leak in the roof of the Starr's Mill gynasium. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the team sprung a leak as well, struggling in a loss.
Neither squad came out of the gates sharp, perhaps unaccustomed to games on back to back nights. Starr's Mill got a number of good offensive looks early, but could not convert. While the Panthers struggled to find a rhythm, Center Mike Voso crashed the boards to keep his team in the contest. By the end of a lackluster opening quarter Lithia Springs held a meager 9-7 lead.
Trey Bussey sparked his team with a three pointer as the Lions opened the second with a 5-0 run. Jeff Greene's feed to Zach Laskey got the Panthers back on the board at 16-10. Hadyn Barnes' bucket pulled them within four points before the Panthers went stagnant again.
Bussey's drive to the hoop stretched the lead to 20-12. Bussey was the unquestioned offensive star of the night, notching 13 points in the first half alone.
Greene found Barnes for two as Starr's Mill trimmed the deficit to 24-16 at halftime.
Starr's Mill came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. Greene started it off muscling down low for a basket. Voso and Wade Stock chipped in to trim the lead to four points. Justin Smith tallied four consecutive points to cap a 10-0 run and tie the game at 26-26. As quickly as the Panthers fought back, they let the game slip away just as fast.
Starr's Mill got sloppy with the ball and Lithia Springs was more than happy to capitalize. The Lions converted a heap of turnovers into a 15-2 run and a 41-28 lead at the end of three frames.
Voso's hook shot opened the fourth as the Panthers tried to claw back into the game. Barnes' three ball and a jumper from Greene cut the deficit to 46-39.
But, Bussey answered with a dagger -- his jump shot sealing things up for Lithia Springs. Barnes and Smith added late baskets, but trailing 52-46 with under a minute to play, the damage was already done. Starr's Mill went into foul mode, but couldn't stop the Lions from salting away the victory.
The Panthers hosted Fayette County Friday night after press time. Check back Tuesday for full results and recaps of Friday's games. |
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