The Independent Panthers boys basketball team advanced to the semifinals of their sub-state tournament after defeating the Bluestem Lions 71-44 at home. Independent, the number two seed, will play at Douglass on Thursday night.
Junior Brice Dean led the Panthers in scoring with 19 points. Seniors Eddie Fahnestock and Jason Ream rounded out the leading scoring for the starters with eleven and six points respectively.
Sophomore Johnny Richmond was the surprise for Independent, scoring ten points.
The Panthers easily defeated the Lions, going out and setting the tone defensively early, and taking them out of the game.
“We went out with the mentality that we wanted to win, not just go out and play,” said senior captain Matt Kaufman.
Now Independent will focus on Thursday’s game against Douglass. The Panthers’ plan is to play at the same level defensively that they did against Bluestem in order to control what the Bulldogs can accomplish on the offensive end.
“We want to come out with a mentality of ‘we want to shut them down and win.’ We have to limit what they can do offensively and take them out of their comfort zone,” Kaufman said.
Independent is having the most successful year in school history, filled with various records and honors, but the goal for the rest of the season is to win two more games and advance to the state championship for the first time ever.
“It’s nice to be undefeated at home and CPL co-champs, but [getting to state] is our end goal for the season,” said Kaufman.
Junior Brice Dean led the Panthers in scoring with 19 points. Seniors Eddie Fahnestock and Jason Ream rounded out the leading scoring for the starters with eleven and six points respectively.
Sophomore Johnny Richmond was the surprise for Independent, scoring ten points.
The Panthers easily defeated the Lions, going out and setting the tone defensively early, and taking them out of the game.
“We went out with the mentality that we wanted to win, not just go out and play,” said senior captain Matt Kaufman.
Now Independent will focus on Thursday’s game against Douglass. The Panthers’ plan is to play at the same level defensively that they did against Bluestem in order to control what the Bulldogs can accomplish on the offensive end.
“We want to come out with a mentality of ‘we want to shut them down and win.’ We have to limit what they can do offensively and take them out of their comfort zone,” Kaufman said.
Independent is having the most successful year in school history, filled with various records and honors, but the goal for the rest of the season is to win two more games and advance to the state championship for the first time ever.
“It’s nice to be undefeated at home and CPL co-champs, but [getting to state] is our end goal for the season,” said Kaufman.
