By Alex Gillenwalters, Sports Editor
In another extremely close game, our Pellissippi Panthers nearly had a generational comeback. Unfortunately, the Roane Raiders took the win keeping up their impeccable defense to the very last second. Both teams were quite active in the first half, each team keeping the other in check, but our Panthers were quite inconsistent in the second half, which they began down by 12.
Coach Jones was less communicative this game, but kept the team focused when it mattered, making changes as needed to attack the Raiders’ defensive strategy.
Due to a relatively boring, lackadaisical first half of the game the crowd was unenthusiastic, until unlike previous games, they got to participate in a halftime game. Members of both teams’ bleachers were chosen to battle in a tug of war challenge, which was fun to see even without participating.
The first half had a mediocre start with good defense from both teams, the Raiders making sure to keep the Panthers active with a full court defensive coverage. Both teams got multiple steals, successfully bringing them back to the goal and scoring points for their team.
The second half was quite lackluster for the Raiders, unlike the first half. They barely subbed anybody out which left their starters exhausted leading into the last few minutes of the second half. With the Panthers down by 12, the Raiders’ players worn out, and the clock counting down from six minutes, the Panthers caught up quickly to 67-70 with 20 seconds left to win.
The Panthers ran the ball up to the three point line, pulled up, and took their shot, #8 Jonathan Caicedo drawing a foul on the three-pointer, giving the Panthers just a sliver of hope. With three seconds left on the clock Caicedo took his first free throw attempt. When he made it, the crowd stood up, 68-70 on the board. Caicedo took his second shot attempt and made it, bringing the score to 69-70. Caicedo once again walked up to the free-throw line, taking a deep breath to focus himself, and took his last shot. Disappointingly, he ended up missing the free throw, causing the Panthers to lose out on overtime, ending the game 69-70.
