Jr. Panthers edge Jr. Beavers 38-29 in rivalry hoops
MAGNET COVE — To showcase two fast pace squads with physical play on the hardwood, the Magnet Cove Jr. Panthers hosted their Hot Spring County rivals— the Glen Rose Jr. Beavers Monday for a hard fought battle at Magnet Cove High School Gymnasium.
The game was close and their entire first half, but the Jr. Panthers’ execution in the second half secured a close nine-point win over the Jr. Beavers in their season-opener.
In the first quarter, both teams found ways to spark offensively and defensively. Glen Rose’s Ethan Stafford had the hot hand early and drained three trifectas to score all first quarter points for the Jr. Beavers. Magnet Cove’s big man Luke Harper sparked the Jr. Panthers scoring with six first quarter points with Bo Batchelor and Hayden Browning contributing from the foul line for points. At the end of first period action, Magnet Cove and Glen Rose were knotted, 9-9.
In the second quarter, both teams executed a fullcourt press defensively to display some pressure on the ball. Magnet Cove posted in double-digits to outscore Glen Rose 12-6. At the break, the Jr. Panthers took a slight six-point lead into the locker room over the Jr. Beavers.
In the third quarter, the Jr. Panthers and the Jr. Beavers both accounted for a double-digit scoring period, but the margin shifted towards Magnet Cove despite being outscored by Glen Rose 1110. After three periods of action, the Jr. Panthers led Glen Rose, 31-26.
In the final quarter of action, the Jr. Panthers went on a run and took a nine-point lead down to the 5:01 mark—led by Browning and Cade Davis blazing the net for baskets from the field. Magnet Cove led Glen Rose, 35-26. Stafford swished his sixth trifecta from downtown for Glen Rose to stop the Jr. Panthers run at the 3:44 mark—cutting their deficit to 35-29. In the final three minutes of action, the Jr, Panthers stepped up defensively and held Glen Rose scoreless, while Batchelor split a pair of free-throws and Harper sank a basket off the glass to secure victory for Magnet Cove.
For the game, Jr. Panthers’ Harper led scoring with a strong inside presence to post 14 points and Batchelor poured 12 points for a duo of double-figures. Davis added seven points with a trey from behind the arc and Browning contributed four points and Bronson Coolis chipped in a point from the charity stripe for Magnet Cove.
For the Jr. Beavers, Stafford led all scorers with an astonishing 18 points all from behind the arc for six trifectas to spark Glen Rose’s productive shooting. Ty Hood added four points, a trio Lane Franks, Tyler Kratz and Trace Russell each contributed two points apiece.