Before a packed house on “Jam the Gym” night in Emory the Rains Wildcats came out hot from the beginning in the playoff like atmosphere. The Wildcats used a strong press and defense to subdue the Alba-Golden Panthers 56-35 in a big District 12-3A win.

The Wildcats streaked to an early first quarter lead of 7-0 before Panther Jon-Michael Chadwick hit a driving lay-up at the 4:00 minute mark. The Wildcats reeled off nine straight points and led 16-2 after one quarter.

In the second quarter, the Panthers fought back making it a 24-17 Rains lead at the half. Jacob Daily put in seven points. Down 24-12, Tim Mitchell hit a bucket, was fouled, and hit the free throw for a three point play to make it 24-15, and Chadwick ended the quarter on a hard drive to the bucket for a score. 

The third quarter saw the Panthers continue to fight their way back into the game. Boedie Baker had a big quarter scoring five of the Panther’s nine points. The Panther defense stepped up and held Rains to just seven points and it was a 31-26 game going into the final quarter.

The Rains press created more havoc in the fourth quarter causing numerous Panther turnovers. The Wildcats scored 25 points to just nine for Alba-Golden in the final eight minutes. The Panthers are 3-3 in district play and sit firmly in the final playoff spot in District 12-3A with six games to go.

Chadwick led the Panthers with 12 points followed by Baker’s eight, Daily seven, Mitchell five and Hartin three.

After a bye Tuesday, the Panthers host district leader Mineola Friday night.