The scoreline was very instructive in the Lady Panthers’ 67-19 win over the visiting Crossroads Ladycats last Friday. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 for the Lady Panthers (Averi Stevenson, Jayla Sitar and Sadie Wright) each scored in double figures. 

Although the Lady Panthers will not be headed for the post-season this year, they had a season chock-full of very good basketball. Through the long season, the three classmates led the team. 

They and the rest of the Lady Panthers would be gearing up for the playoffs if it weren’t for three close losses. The Lady Panthers dropped two games to Cayuga, each by three points. They also suffered a one-point loss to LaPoynor in the second round of district play.  

Close losses in basketball are always tough to take, as the losing margin can be attributed to any number of events throughout the game – a turnover here, a missed lay-up there, a traveling call. 

Last Friday was the last home game of the year and a chance to celebrate the contributions of sole senior, guard Joecey Lewers. With 4:10 remaining in the half, the crowd at Panther Gym got a chance to do just that, when Lewers sunk a long 3-pointer. 

She tallied only five points on the night, as she was taken out of play twice after being involved in collisions. The first instance was a clash of heads chasing down a loose ball; the second was after she was crushed by an illegal screen.

The Lady Panthers played freely against the Crossroads team, which has only one win on the year. Alba-Golden put up 25 points in the first period and 19 in the third to stoke the rout. 

In addition to the driving of Sitar, the rebounding of Wright and the overall play of Stevenson, other Lady Panthers stepped up. Harper Gaskill pulled down a handful of offensive rebounds early in the game. Shaylee Threlkeld – recently moved up from junior varsity – made solid contributions, and registered nine points.   

The balance of the roster – Faith Graham, Briana Ringgold, Sophia Richardson and Peyton Clark – all had a hand in the win last Friday. 

Watching the team have fun in the winning effort against Crossroads, and reflecting that the team next year will have significant varsity experience throughout the roster, makes one look forward to the 2026-27 campaign with great interest.