Panthers Fall to Rival Leslie in Overtime

The Stockbridge boys’ basketball team let a halftime lead slip away as Leslie rallied and took a 63-60 overtime win over the Panthers Friday night.

It was a tail of two halves for the Panthers as the offense was clicking in the first half, but could not buy a basket in the second.

Stockbridge took a 18-16 lead after one and behind eight second quarter points by Jeremy Pilch extended the lead to 37-28 at the half.

Someone put a lid on the basket at halftime as the Panthers went cold and only scored four third quarter points. Leslie outscored Stockbridge 15-4 in the quarter, including a triple at the buzzer that gave the Blackhawks a 43-41 lead after three.

Pilch continued his strong play in the fourth scoring seven points as the teams went back and forth in the final period.

The game was tied at 54 and the Panthers called timeout with 5.8 seconds left to set up a play. A three-pointer was off the mark and the Panthers got a tip at the buzzer that rolled off the rim to send the game into overtime.

Leslie held the ball for nearly three whole minutes in the four minute overtime period and hit a three-pointer with just over a minute left for a 57-54 lead.

The Panthers missed on a couple of opportunities and the Blackhawks sealed the win by hitting six of eight free throws in the final minute to put the game away.

Pilch led the Panthers with 19 points.

Chris Hall added 11 points. Brandon Nelson and Tylin Ayers scored nine each, while John Morris and Noah Robidou each had six points.

The Panthers fell to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the GLAC. They have a huge league game Tuesday night when they host league leading Perry (5-0 in GLAC) in what is almost a must win for the Panthers.