CLARENDON – Flipping the schedule to the second half of District 2-2A play Tuesday night only served to prove why the Panhandle Pantherettes are on top of not only their district, but according to at least one poll, the whole state.
Panhandle, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, opened the second half of district play by heading to Clarendon, a team which is hoping to make an impact on the playoff picture the rest of the way. The status quo wasn’t seriously challenged, as Panhandle took an early lead and cruised most of the way to a 52-38 win.
It did what most of the previous games this season have done for the Pantherettes (26-1, 7-0 in district), show why they’re one of the area’s most respected programs. They handled their business the way they did the first half of district play, and if some other team is going to challenge them for the district crown, it will have to step up quickly.
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“I thought we played really well for three quarters,” Panhandle coach Rob Schmucker said. “We came out and the tempo was good and the communication on defense and rebounding was outstanding. I like where we’re at right now.”
There’s been a lot for Schmucker to like about his team the whole season. Except for a four-point loss at perennial power Canyon, the Pantherettes have lived up to their reputation all season, including district play.
They made a statement to open district by beating Clarendon (16-11, 4-3) at home in December, 49-28. Only a fourth quarter run by the Lady Broncos in the rematch well after the issue was decided made this game look closer.
“Our main thing is rebounding and I thought every game is going to be harder and harder to outrebound people,” Schmucker said. “I watched every possession trying to get an offensive rebound and it seemed like we always touched leather.”
Both teams struggled a bit offensively in the opening minutes, but Panhandle made more of its offensive opportunities to take a 16-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Riley Segura carried the biggest load for the Pantherettes with nine points in the opening period.
Segura scored 13 of her game-high 15 points in the first half, as Panhandle took a comfortable 33-16 halftime lead.
“It’s always great whenever you see your first couple of shots go in,” Segura said. “That’s always what the team needs and at the end of the day that’s always what I’m going to try to bring to the table.”
Segura cooled off in the second half, but her teammates picked up things offensively. Two other Pantherettes scored in double figures, as Allie Ashley had 12 points and Addison McCoid added 10.
Panhandle led by as many as 24 points late in the third quarter and seemed to call off the dogs in the fourth quarter.
Numbers told the story just by looking at both lineups. While 2A schools don’t necessarily have a lot of player depth, Clarendon in particular looked shorthanded, as the Lady Broncos suited up only seven players due to injury, hardly an ideal situation against a team like Panhandle.
“We would have had to play perfect game to beat (the Pantherettes),” Clarendon coach Rick Teran said. “They’re No. 1 for a reason. You have to give them credit. Really, they’re just so well-coached and they know how to handle these girls.”
Kate Shaw led Clarendon with 12 points, including eight in the first half to keep the Lady Broncos in shouting distance. Kenidee Hayes scored 11, including nine in the second half.
Panhandle is obviously the team to beat in district play, at least until somebody comes up big in the last five district games. It’s an enviable position for the Pantherettes.
“I feel good but I always want to try to improve,” Schmucker said. “We need to stay healthy and get away from sickness. Winning at places like Clarendon and Wellington is extra big.”
Clarendon isn’t in as strong a position, but the Lady Broncos control their destiny over their final five district games.
“What you get out of this is that you have to get better for your next game,” Teran said. “You look at what you did right and what you didn’t do right and you learn from it. Our girls worked hard in this game tonight.”