Basketball fever is running wild through the community of Panhandle with no stoppage in sight.
Less than a week ago, the Ettes claimed the programs third UIL state championship since 1992, and on Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers continued their historic season by punching the programs first ever ticket towards winning a state title of their own.
The Panthers put on a clinic, absolutely hammering Waco Meyer, 59-33, in a Class 2A Division I state semifinal at Abilene Christian University, and with that said, Panhandle (29-6 overall) now gears up for its first ever state championship game when they take on San Augustine (23-5), at 5 p.m., on Thursday inside San Antonio’s Alamodome.
“It’s been am amazing season,” Panhandle head coach Josh Strickland said. “With the success of the girls basketball program, they have set a standard, and the boys have wanted this for a longtime. This ride has been so much fun, and it’s been very emotional. We’re just trying to take it all in.”
It’s been quite a dramatic run for coach Strickland’s team to get to this point.
The Panthers, who are riding a 17-game win streak, had to depend on two Landen Andrews buzzer-beating shots, that lifted the Panthers past Hale Center, 75-70, for a regional quarterfinal double overtime victory.
Panhandle had to erase a 10-point first half deficit to sink Seagraves, 63-41, in the regional semifinals, and then the Panthers had to earn a hard fought 52-39 win over district rival Wellington in the regional championship last Friday.
“We’ve had a lot thrown in front of us,” Strickland said. “But, I feel we’ve passed every test so far. We had overcome some challenges, and then beat a rival three times this year in Wellington. I’m so proud of the way these guys have handled every situation. Just winning the first playoff game against Spearman. We haven’t done that in a while. I feel all these challenges have prepared us for where we are now.”
As for the game against Waco Meyer (29-7) on Tuesday, the Panthers pounced on the Ravens from the start and never looked back. Panhandle 15-11 after one thanks to the key play of Broxton Robinson’s six points and Jacob Herzberg’s six points. Caden Armes caught fire in the second quarter, pouring in eight points as Panhandle started putting Meyer away, taking a 31-16 lead into halftime.
Panhandle kept its foot on the gas to open the third quarter, nailing Meyer’s coffin, when the Panthers quickly extended the advantage to 44-19 with 3:18 left in the stanza.
“We locked in,” Strickland said. “I felt good the minute we got off the bus, and I knew we were going to play well. I think a game like this shows how we’re growing and just getting better. The guys are hanging on every word, and this is a player-led team. We have great seniors and a junior class that has a lot of experience. We have an awesome bench that produces and everyone is doing their job.”
Armes finished with a team-high 16 points, burying three, 3-pointers. Robinson dropped in a total of nine points with teammate Luke Schmucker adding eight points with a pair of 3-pointers. Herzberg, Andrews, Tyler Wood and Cooper Brinkley all tallied six points.
Panhandle’s focus now turns to San Augustine. The Wolves beat Hearne 63-55 in their state semifinal Monday night. Coach Strickland and his staff won’t get much time to scout, but at this point, he’ll bet on his Panthers.
“I’ve watched a little bit on San Augustine,” Strickland said. “I watched the semifinal game and they are a very athletic team. Our goal the next two days, is to just keep things simple for the guys. We know what we’re about and we have to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”