The Hephzibah Rebels stepped onto the Panthers Court Friday night hoping to duplicate what the Lady Rebels had done to the Lady Panthers.
They stayed close through the first half, but the Panthers pounced in the second and quickly established a lead.
The Panthers (17-2, 8-0) have not lost a game since Nov. 30 and continue to be the team to beat in region 3-AAA.
Panther head coach, Willie graham said his team started the game on the wrong foot. But he was pleased they pulled it together to close out.
"We got better in the second half," he said. "We got some turnovers we were able to capitalize on."
The Rebels were able to hang basket-for-basket in the first quarter and ended the first with a one-point advantage (13-12).
Rebel Mike Boyd hit two three-point shots and kept the Rebels in the game by leading with 14 points for the evening but by the end of the first half the Panthers took a three-point lead (24-21).
In the second half, the Panthers held the Rebels to only 18 points while they scored 33. Three Panthers went on to score in the double digits. Jordan McRae led with 17, Michael Manning had 14 and Rion Brown had 11.
The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Camden County for a non-region game Saturday afternoon. Graham said his team would have to watch for one Camden player who is a sharp shooter. He also said his team needs to dictate the game and not the other way around.
They return home for a regional game against Benedictine Tuesday night. It's also their night to honor seniors.
Tip-off against Camden is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
They stayed close through the first half, but the Panthers pounced in the second and quickly established a lead.
The Panthers (17-2, 8-0) have not lost a game since Nov. 30 and continue to be the team to beat in region 3-AAA.
Panther head coach, Willie graham said his team started the game on the wrong foot. But he was pleased they pulled it together to close out.
"We got better in the second half," he said. "We got some turnovers we were able to capitalize on."
The Rebels were able to hang basket-for-basket in the first quarter and ended the first with a one-point advantage (13-12).
Rebel Mike Boyd hit two three-point shots and kept the Rebels in the game by leading with 14 points for the evening but by the end of the first half the Panthers took a three-point lead (24-21).
In the second half, the Panthers held the Rebels to only 18 points while they scored 33. Three Panthers went on to score in the double digits. Jordan McRae led with 17, Michael Manning had 14 and Rion Brown had 11.
The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Camden County for a non-region game Saturday afternoon. Graham said his team would have to watch for one Camden player who is a sharp shooter. He also said his team needs to dictate the game and not the other way around.
They return home for a regional game against Benedictine Tuesday night. It's also their night to honor seniors.
Tip-off against Camden is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.