The #15 ranked Whitharral Panthers squared off against the Lorenzo Hornets in the Area Round of the 1A Division 2 boys basketball playoffs this past Thursday at Lubbock High School, resulting in the Panthers winning a 46-41 thriller to secure the Area Championship.
It was a gritty, low-scoring win for the Panthers, but the star trio of Nate Sansom, Damian Rodriguez and Brent Robinson shined once again to secure the victory.
Sansom recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and an assist, Rodriguez recorded 14 points on 4/7 shooting from the field and 5/7 free throws made, adding three steals, two assists and two rebounds, and Robinson recorded six points behind 4/4 free throws made, adding two assists and a rebound, while also recording the highest plus minus on the team at +7.
Other Panther stat lines included Greg Johnson with three points, three rebounds and an assist, Cooper Burns with three points and a rebound, Hudson Dobrovolny with three points and five rebounds, and Daniel Rodriguez with two points, three rebounds and an assist.
Following winning the Area Championship, Panthers Head Basketball Coach Brett Berger gave his thoughts.
“It was a hard-fought win, and it might be the toughest win of the year,” Coach Berger said. “These guys did their job and came out on top. On to the next.”
The Panthers advance to the Regional Semifinal Round of the playoffs, where they’ll face the #4 ranked Texline Tornadoes early in the week. Texline enters the game at 28-7 overall and as the undefeated 1A District 3 Champions.