This story was originally to be published on Jan. 25, 2017 but did not due to unforeseen circumstances. The Wood County Monitor expresses its deepest apology for this.

The Alba-Golden Panthers, after trailing the first period to the Mineola Yellowjackets, managed to lead the rest of the game before allowing Mineola to rally and tie the game at the end of regulation in a matchup on Jan. 20 at Alba-Golden. The Panthers, however, would outscore Mineola in overtime and give the Yellowjackets their first district loss of the season in a District 12-3A hardwood thriller.

The Panthers trailed by three points after the first period but went up by two points at halftime, 20-18, off an 11-6 run in the second period. Coming out after the break, the Panthers fought back-and-forth with the Yellowjackets and held a one-point lead, 32-31, after three periods. The final period was a low-scoring affair with Mineola edging out the Panthers by one point and tying the game at 36 apiece.

During overtime session the Panthers moved out to a 40-36 lead before a two-point shot accompanied by a successful foul show set the tally at 40-39 with 28.29 seconds left on the clock. Alba-Golden turned the ball over and Mineola had it back with 22.15 left to play but a missed free throw with 18.40 left saw Alba-Golden grab the rebound and run out the clock for the upset victory.

The Panthers (16-10, 5-4) defeated Eustace, 58-48, Tuesday and lost to Kemp, 59-46, Friday. Alba-Golden hosted Quitman (13-13, 4-5) Tuesday, after Monitor press time, and travel to Scurry-Rosser Friday.