3/09/2020

     The Augusta Panthers road back to the 10th region tournament would begin in Brooksville as they faced the St. Patrick Saints in the semifinal round of the 39th district tournament.  The Panthers came out shooting well in the 1st quarter but the Saints hung around with some hot shooting of their own as the quarter ended with Augusta leading 23-15.  In the 2nd quarter a 7-0 Saints run brought them within one but then the Panthers would answer with a 15-2 run of their own to finish the half leading 38-24. 

     The 3rd quarter saw the Panthers keep the Saints at a safe distance and they blew the game wide open in the 4th as they won the game 80-57 to advance to Thursday night's championship game.  The win improved the Panthers to 14-17.  Leading the team in scoring was Kason Hinson with 28 points and joining him were Cam White with 17 and Preston Philpot with 12. 

     Acting head coach Todd Kelsch was pretty relieved following this one as he finished his short stint as head coach with a 2-1 record and was able to advance the Panthers so head coach Jason Hinson could return to the sideline this season.

     "I was nervous all day about this one.  There's a big difference when you're the head coach, especially on game day," said Kelsch, "I have to give so much credit to the boys for playing well tonight.  They really stepped up and I think we are as ready as we could be for Thursday's game."

Scoring vs. St. Patrick:  Hinson 28, White 17, Philpot 12, Appelman 8, Snapp 6, Archibald 6, McClanahan 3

 

     So for the first time since the 2015-16 season it would be Augusta and Mason County battling for the boys 39th district tournament title.  The Panthers got to work early, especially on the defensive end, holding the Royals to only 7 points with a match up zone in the 1st quarter while dropping 13 of their own.  The Panthers stayed comfortable in the 2nd quarter holding onto the lead as they led 28-24 at the break.

     Augusta took the momentum to the locker room but it didn't come back out with them.  They hit a drought in the 3rd quarter that enabled Mason County to make their move and they did exactly that outscoring the Panthers 19-9 to take a 43-37 lead into the 4th quarter.  The final period would be a battle all they way through as the Panthers got within 2 with 57 at 58-56 but that would be the last points they would score and the Royals would claim victory, 61-56.  The loss dropped the Panthers to 14-18 but they still advanced to the 10th region tournament.  Kason Hinson led the scoring with 24 points and was joined in double figures by Cam White with 14. 

     "We had a game plan and stuck to it and it was working for us but we ran out of gas in the 3rd quarter," said Coach Hinson, "The good news is we get another shot next week and we'll be prepared for whoever that might be."

Scoring vs. Mason County: Hinson 24, White 14, Philpot 5, Appelman 5, Snapp 5, Archibald 3

 

     The Augusta Panthers next opponent would be the George Rogers Clark Cardinals who are the hosts for this year's tournament in Winchester.  They were also considered by many to the the favorites for this year's event.  The Panthers were the first to light up the scoreboard as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead after about 2 1/2 minutes.  But that lead would be short lived as the Cardinals responded to the tune of a 26-2 run to finish the quarter.  The onslaught would continue into the 2nd quarter.  The Cardinals put their foot on the gas and did not let up as they led 50-24 at intermission.

     The Cardinals' lead would only be extended in the second half as they led 65-35 after 3 and would win the game 81-41 ending the Panthers season with a 14-19 record.  Kason Hinson was the only Panther in double figures with 15.

     "We ran into a buzz saw tonight, that's a very good team," said Coach Hinson, "It's always sad when the season ends.  We're losing three quality young men.  I know that feeling, when it's over.  You don't want to leave that locker room for the last time.  I do feel good about the future though.  We'll take some time off and then get back to work on next season."

Scoring vs. GRC:  KaHinson 15, Appelman 7, Archibald 4, White 3, Snapp 3, McClanahan 3, KyHinson 3, Philpot 2, Brooks 1