After grabbing a five-point lead at the half, the East Lady Panthers managed to hang on and claw out a 27-24 win over the West Lady Bobcats Thursday night at West. It was 20-15 in East’s favor at the half, but the offensive production slowed on both ends of the court in the second half with East hanging on for the win in spite of adding only seven points to its total in the final two quarters.

Allison Barlow had East’s only field goal in the third quarter, and she added a big free throw in the final seconds to put the Lady Panthers up by three. Natalie Rayfield and Grace Woodard added baskets for East in the fourth quarter. Mylisha Edwards scored six of West’s nine points in the second half. Arielle Kazmark had a field goal, and Christen Cox added a free throw.

[Photos]

Lady Panthers.…7…13…2…5---27
Lady Bobcats…..8…..7…4…5---24

Lady Panthers (27) Natalie Rayfield, 7; Allison Barlow, 6; Anna McCord, 5; Tristen Stephens, 2; Joceyly Wells, 3; Grace Woodard, 4.
Lady Bobcats (24) Arielle Kazmark, 7; Lindsay Herron, 4; Rachel Witherspoon, 2; Christen Cox, 1; Mylisha Edwards, 10.

Three Pointers:
Lady Bobcats 1 (Arielle Kazmark, 1)

Free Throws:
Lady Panthers 9 for 15
Lady Bobcats 1 for 10

Conference Records
Panthers 2-12
Bobcats 8-6

It started out slow, but the action quickly heated up and built to an edge-of-your seat thriller as the West Bobcats hung on for a one point win over visiting East Thursday night. West earned a four-point lead after one quarter but saw that modest margin steadily dwindle the rest of the way. It was a three-point game at the half, and the Bobcats held a one-point advantage going into a fourth quarter that went back and forth with both teams grabbing and losing small leads.

West finally moved on top by four in the closing seconds on a layup and free throw by Josh Majors. Even that didn’t completely decide it as East’s Trey Burks immediately nailed a three pointer to cut it to one. East got off a desperation heave that hit the rim as time ran out.

The gym, which only has seats on one side, was packed early and dozens of people were force to stand in the hall away from the action during the girls game. When some people left following girls action, the refugees in the hall came in to watch the boys.

[Photos]

Panthers.…2…13…12…10---37
Bobcats.….6…12…10…10---38

Panthers (37) Alex Rice, 8; Andrew Rigney, 2; Ryan Rippy, 6; Colin Bowen, 5; Marquel Hickerson, 7; Trey Burks, 5; Alex Butaud, 4.
Bobcats (38) Austin Creasman, 5; Hunter Black, 10; Andrew Batts, 2; Allen Starks, 6; Zane Price, 4; Josh Majors, 3; Jordan Sheffield, 6; Blake Koch, 2.

Three Pointers:
Panthers 2 (Marquel Hickerson, 1; Trey Burks, 1)
Bobcats 1 (Hunter Black, 1)

Free Throws:
Panthers 9 for 18
Bobcats 13 for 25