On a fun filled Saturday of basketball at the Panther Pit, Miami Trace came out on top in both boys and girls high school basketball over the Washington Court House Blue Lions.
The girls took to the floor first, with Miami Trace coming out of on top 53-41 over their cross-town rivals. The game started off slow with each having a hard time getting shots to drop in the first quarter as Trace shot just 25% compared to Blue Lions 20% and the Panthers held a 10-6 lead. The second quarter was owned by the Panthers as they outscored the Blue Lions 18-7 to take what seemed like a commanding 28-13 lead into the intermission.
Washington Court House came out inspired in the second half outscoring Trace 15-14 but was able to cut the deficit to just 14 after three with Trace leading 42-28, then the Blue Lions defense went to lock-down mode in the fourth quarter, holding Miami Trace scoreless through the first five minutes of the quarter.
Washington went on an 11-5 run and was able to cut the deficit to five points until the 2:20 mark of the quarter when Panther Senior Tanner Bryant knocked down six straight points to put a stop to the Lady Lion comeback. Washington still outscored Miami Trace in the period but the Panthers were able to hold on for 53-41 victory to remain perfect in league play at 5-0 (8-1).
Junior Hanna Haithcock and Sophomore Ryana Burns led the way for the Lady Lions with 18 and 17 points respectively but they carried the bulk of the load on the night as no other player scored more than two points.
Washington struggled from the floor thanks to some tenacious defense and finished the night shooting 13-41 for 32% including going just 5-15 from beyond the arc for 33%. They committed 12 turnovers and were 10-17 from the free throw line for 59%. The Blue Lions defeat was their first loss of the season and leaves them in second place in the FAC at 4-1 (7-1)
Miami Trace got a huge night from Senior standout Tanner Bryant who led all scores with 26. Senior Victoria Fliehman added a strong 16 points while Cassidy Lovett chipped in 7 and Shay McDonald added 4. Miami Trace shot 16-44 for 36% including 6-13 from beyond the arc for 46%, committed 12 turnovers and shot 15-19 from the charity stripe for 79%. The Lady Panthers are sitting atop the FAC standings at 5-0 (8-1).
The boys took to the court next and it came down to a last second shot from 25 feet away that fell just short to give Miami Trace a 51-48 victory over Washington Court House. It was a typical game between the two Fayette County rivals with tough defense and physical play. Miami Trace led 11-8 after the first and took a one point lead into the half 21-20.
The game got interesting in the second half as the Panthers went on a 15-5 run led by Trace Senior Darby Tyree who was 6/7 shooting in the quarter and ended with 13 points to put the Panthers up by eleven at 36-15. But Washington would come back going on a run of their own to start the fourth and final period of play.
Washington went on a 17-5 run to take the lead at the 3:18 mark of the final frame but Miami Trace refused to go away. Senior Heath Cockerill came up with a few timely buckets and a big steal to take the lead back and with just seconds remaining Washington Junior Evan Upthegrove heaved a last second 25 footer that fell just short to give Miami Trace a 51-48 victory.
Washington shot 41% on the night going 18-44 from the field including 3-15 from three for 3-15 for 20%, committed 18 turnovers and shot 9-11 from the charity stripe for 82%. They were led in scoring by Upthegrove's 13, Dillon Steward added 11 and Blaise Tayese chipped in 10.
The Panthers were led by Darby Tyree who had a game high 27 points. Cockerill finished with 11 and Cameron Carter added 10.
They shot 16-53 from the field for 30% including just 2-18 from behind the arc for 11%. They committed 13 turnovers and shot 89% from the charity stripe for 89%.