When the UIL playoffs started three weeks ago, many would have said the Panhandle Panthers were an underdog when it came to playing on the final day of high school basketball regular season.
The Panthers, however, silenced all critics, capping off one of the more epic three week runs, by holding off San Augustine 61-58 win the UIL Class 2A Division I state title and bringing home the programs first ever state championship.
“We’ve been saying this since the bi-district round,” Panhandle head coach Josh Strickland said. “We knew what a moment it would be if we could take it one possession at a time, one moment at a time, and win this thing. We focused on ourselves and got it done. What makes these guys special, is they all care for one another. That’s the reason we’re all sitting here as champions.”
In the span of a week, the community of Panhandle has been on a basketball roll. The Ettes won their third UIL state title in school history last Thursday, and with the Panthers now winning a state championship, Panhandle is the first boys/ girls combo to win state in the same year since Lipan did it in 2023, and the first Texas Panhandle team to accomplish that feat since Nazareth in 2007.
What’s the most ironic about this Panther story, is how they got here.
The Panthers faced so many difficult challenges throughout the playoffs in beating Hale Center in double overtime, 75-70, in the regional quarterfinal, rallying back from a double-digit halftime deficit to down Seagraves 63-41 in the regional semifinals, then knocking off district rival Wellington for a third time, 52-39, in the regional championship.
Panhandle ends its historic season with a 27-6 record and won 18 straight games to close out the year, never losing on the 2026 side of the schedule.
For coach Strickland, it’s been an intense run, not only because of the competitive games, but keeping the thought of his late daughter, Hunsley Strickland, in his mind each and every day.
“It’s been very emotional,” Strickland said. “A couple of years ago my wife and I lost a daughter (Hunsley) to a rare bone disorder. She loved basketball as much as her dad does, and she was always on the bench. She was six-years old when she passed away and she is my Angel. I believe she’s been with us this entire way and was with us helping us win this state championship. We weren’t picked to win this thing, and having her as my Angel makes me believe.”
As for the game against San Augustine (24-6), Panhandle jumped out to a 17-8 lead and led 27-24 at the half. The Wolves came out hot in the second half, going on 5-0 spirt to go up 29-27. Like they have throughout the postseason, the Panthers answered right back, with a 7-0 run of their own to go back on top 34-29. Heading into the fourth quarter, Panhandle built its biggest lead as part of a 9-0 run, going up 48-37 following a Caden Armes jumper.
Down the stretch, San Augustine chipped away, but Panhandle was clutch in the final two minutes at the free-throw line with Luke Schmucker and Armes knocking down pivotal shots.
“I think this team has a special quality and they never waiver and things get tense,” Strickland said. “We didn’t lose in the year 2026 and never deviated from what we did and that was the message at halftime. We just talked about how to win this game and these guys just wanted it.”
Armes was the Class 2A Division I game MVP. Though the senior didn’t have the best shooting day, Armes finished with 17 points with five assists and was 5-for-7 at the line. Teammate Luke Schmucker, who saw his father, Rob, lead the Panhandle Ettes to a state title just a week prior, was also clutch in the win, going for 11 points, behind the strength of three, 3-pointers.
Landen Andrews, the hero with two buzzer beating shots against Hale Center, added nine points, pulled down four boards with a pair of blocks, and Broxton Robinson along with Cooper Brinkley each had 11 points.
“This was very special,” Armes said. “I’ve been playing basketball my entire life, and this is everything I thought it could be.”
Panhandle finished the night shooting 40.7 percent from the field but were 11-for-14 from the charity stripe, while holding the Wolves to 38.4 shooting from the floor, and just 1-of-10 from 3-point land.
For a full look at Panhandle’s state championship boxscore, please visit https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/state-basketball/boxscores-boys/26BB2AD1.pdf