Pre-district basketball comes in two flavors, both of which offer great learning points for any team. The first is tournament basketball which is driven largely by tight time schedules and hence the play can be officiated a bit more loosely. The second is a stand-alone game over the holiday break between teams looking to maintain their edge. Those games are often more tightly officiated. 

Such was the case when the Alba-Golden Panthers faced the visiting New Diana Eagles last Friday. The Eagles prevailed by 37-35.

The game was an evenly-matched affair. Each team had plenty of basketball talent and plenty of athleticism. A tight whistle was required as the action furiously raced up and down the court.

Both teams employed effective presses for most of the game, and there were subtle swings in momentum throughout. Senior Payton Dickinson jump-started the Panthers by connecting on his first two jump-shots. He sank another 3-pointer from the corner just before the quarter break to give Alba-Golden a 9-7 edge. 

New Diana employed a full-court press designed to intercept passes used to advance the ball into the forecourt. It was well-designed and executed, causing the Panthers severe difficulties in the remainder of the first half. 

After Boogie Trimble opened the second quarter with a nice baseline drive, New Diana went on an 11-point run, mostly fueled by turnovers on the press. At the half the score stood 22-18, New Diana.    

Trimble opened the third quarter by collecting a charge. It swung the momentum back to the home side. The Panthers went on an 8-point run and retook the lead. 

The home side opened up as much as a 7-point lead and at the quarter break the score stood 33-29, Panthers.

The third quarter resurgence was due largely to two things: playing smart offensive basketball, and the work – especially by Trimble – of shutting down the New Diana point guard.

Both teams wanted this win badly, and the fourth quarter action attested to that. It was frantic. Great defensive work by Alba-Golden kept the scoreline close in the final quarter. 

Unfortunately, Blake Harris’ score on a Luke Sutton assist midway through the fourth was the Panthers’ only score. Alba-Golden had significant possession of the ball in the offensive zone throughout the final quarter but could not hit the mark.

Two solid shot-blocks by Wyatt Sutton helped retain the lead until under two minutes to play. A steal and score by New Diana clipped the Panthers in the final moments.

The next opportunity to catch the Panthers at home will be Friday, Jan. 12 vs. Cooper.