BROOKLET – The Portal Panthers made a statement in their season finale Friday in the rematch against Statesboro at Southeast Bulloch’s packed gym: Bring on the playoffs.
David Buchannon lit up the scoreboard with 31 points – including six 3-pointers – as Portal knocked off the cross-county Blue Devils 69-57 to close out the regular season.
Eric Ferguson got the scoring started with a 3 to open the game, but would not lead again as the Panthers answered right back with an 11-point run. Buchannon started the game with eight-straight points, and when T.J. Busby sank another triple just 2:56 into the game to put PHS up 11-3, the Devils called a timeout.
“It was really important (to go ahead early), because we knew Statesboro was going to make a run,” said Panther coach Jeff Brannen. “We came out in the third quarter and made a run, then Statesboro came back on a 7-0 or 8-0 run. We hung in there. They put a little pressure on us and we had some times where we turned the ball over, but at the end we stepped up and hit our free throws when it counted.”
Statesboro returned to the court with a whole new energy, going on a quick six-point run, but the streak was halted by another Buchannon 3, and Portal led 17-13 heading into the second.
Buchannon finished the first half with 17 points.
“He kept us in the game the first quarter,” said Brannen. “His shot was on in the first quarter, and teams are going to try to take him out of the mix. He did a good job of getting to the rim. Statesboro was double- and triple-teaming him, and he did a good job of giving the ball up and handling the pressure.”
“It surprised me until the first two 3s I hit,” said Buchannon. “After that, coach Brannen just said, ‘Keep shooting,’ so that’s what I did.”
Entering the third with a 10-point lead, the Panthers went on another scoring run, outscoring the Devils 10-0 in the first three minutes of the period, highlighted by two more Buchannon 3s.
As the Devils started creeping up, Mario Farris (16 points) was free to attack underneath.
The Devils did not adjust until the fourth quarter, when they went on an 8-2 run and clawed back into the game, closing the gap to 50-44 on a Ferguson tip-in. Portal answered again, this time in the form of a one-handed jam by Farris. Statesboro would not go away, but PHS finished out the contest 11-of-14 from the charity stripe to seal the win.
The undersized Panthers matched SHS in rebounding, with both teams grabbing 24 boards. Brannen was glad to see his team match up against the bigger, physical bunch.
“It’s always good when you can play a tough game in a playoff atmosphere,” Brannen said. “Tonight it was packed, and it can only benefit us. The kids play in pressure situations that can help us down the road.”
The Panthers (24-1) start the Region 3-A playoffs next week, and will be the No. 1 seed heading in.
Statesboro was led in scoring by Ferguson’s 23 points, and Theo Rich added 12 points and nine rebounds. The Devils are also the No. 1 seed, beginning the Region 3-AAAA tournament next week.
Lady Blue Devils 70, Lady Panthers 35
Portal had a technical foul before the start of the game because of some confusion over a jersey number, and spotted Statesboro two points before the clock started running. It was a sign of things to come.
The Lady Panthers could not compensate for the size of the Lady Blue Devils as Statesboro ended its regular season on a high note in a dominating 70-35 win at Southeast Bulloch’s gym in Brooklet.
Panthers did not let up, but the Lady Devils methodically moved the ball up and down the court and Portal watched as the margin widened farther and farther.
A twelve point first-quarter lead turned into a 35-14 halftime advantage for SHS, their size proving too much for the Lady Panthers.
The Devils dominated the boards, out-rebounding PHS 45-16 and nailed eight 3-pointers in the contest.
Statesboro took advantage of the large halftime margin to cycle in its bench, and saw points from nine different players.
“It’s good to get the girls in the game,” said Lady Blue Devil coach Jeff Seier, “and for us to shoot the ball well from the outside tonight. It’s good to see the younger girls – see how they’re going to do next year. Sometimes I didn’t like the lack of hustle I saw, but I was pleased with the way we shot the ball tonight.”
Three Lady Devils reached double-digits in the contest. Mo Bennett led all scorers with 19 points and snagged 10 rebounds. Victoria Mikell had 17 points, and Hasmine Houston added 10.
Seier is excited heading into the postseason.
“We think we’re the team to beat,” Seier said. “We’re the number one seed heading into the (Region 3-AAAA) tournament, so we think we’re the team to beat.”
Portal was led by Kanesha Eason’s seven points.
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
David Buchannon lit up the scoreboard with 31 points – including six 3-pointers – as Portal knocked off the cross-county Blue Devils 69-57 to close out the regular season.
Eric Ferguson got the scoring started with a 3 to open the game, but would not lead again as the Panthers answered right back with an 11-point run. Buchannon started the game with eight-straight points, and when T.J. Busby sank another triple just 2:56 into the game to put PHS up 11-3, the Devils called a timeout.
“It was really important (to go ahead early), because we knew Statesboro was going to make a run,” said Panther coach Jeff Brannen. “We came out in the third quarter and made a run, then Statesboro came back on a 7-0 or 8-0 run. We hung in there. They put a little pressure on us and we had some times where we turned the ball over, but at the end we stepped up and hit our free throws when it counted.”
Statesboro returned to the court with a whole new energy, going on a quick six-point run, but the streak was halted by another Buchannon 3, and Portal led 17-13 heading into the second.
Buchannon finished the first half with 17 points.
“He kept us in the game the first quarter,” said Brannen. “His shot was on in the first quarter, and teams are going to try to take him out of the mix. He did a good job of getting to the rim. Statesboro was double- and triple-teaming him, and he did a good job of giving the ball up and handling the pressure.”
“It surprised me until the first two 3s I hit,” said Buchannon. “After that, coach Brannen just said, ‘Keep shooting,’ so that’s what I did.”
Entering the third with a 10-point lead, the Panthers went on another scoring run, outscoring the Devils 10-0 in the first three minutes of the period, highlighted by two more Buchannon 3s.
As the Devils started creeping up, Mario Farris (16 points) was free to attack underneath.
The Devils did not adjust until the fourth quarter, when they went on an 8-2 run and clawed back into the game, closing the gap to 50-44 on a Ferguson tip-in. Portal answered again, this time in the form of a one-handed jam by Farris. Statesboro would not go away, but PHS finished out the contest 11-of-14 from the charity stripe to seal the win.
The undersized Panthers matched SHS in rebounding, with both teams grabbing 24 boards. Brannen was glad to see his team match up against the bigger, physical bunch.
“It’s always good when you can play a tough game in a playoff atmosphere,” Brannen said. “Tonight it was packed, and it can only benefit us. The kids play in pressure situations that can help us down the road.”
The Panthers (24-1) start the Region 3-A playoffs next week, and will be the No. 1 seed heading in.
Statesboro was led in scoring by Ferguson’s 23 points, and Theo Rich added 12 points and nine rebounds. The Devils are also the No. 1 seed, beginning the Region 3-AAAA tournament next week.
Lady Blue Devils 70, Lady Panthers 35
Portal had a technical foul before the start of the game because of some confusion over a jersey number, and spotted Statesboro two points before the clock started running. It was a sign of things to come.
The Lady Panthers could not compensate for the size of the Lady Blue Devils as Statesboro ended its regular season on a high note in a dominating 70-35 win at Southeast Bulloch’s gym in Brooklet.
Panthers did not let up, but the Lady Devils methodically moved the ball up and down the court and Portal watched as the margin widened farther and farther.
A twelve point first-quarter lead turned into a 35-14 halftime advantage for SHS, their size proving too much for the Lady Panthers.
The Devils dominated the boards, out-rebounding PHS 45-16 and nailed eight 3-pointers in the contest.
Statesboro took advantage of the large halftime margin to cycle in its bench, and saw points from nine different players.
“It’s good to get the girls in the game,” said Lady Blue Devil coach Jeff Seier, “and for us to shoot the ball well from the outside tonight. It’s good to see the younger girls – see how they’re going to do next year. Sometimes I didn’t like the lack of hustle I saw, but I was pleased with the way we shot the ball tonight.”
Three Lady Devils reached double-digits in the contest. Mo Bennett led all scorers with 19 points and snagged 10 rebounds. Victoria Mikell had 17 points, and Hasmine Houston added 10.
Seier is excited heading into the postseason.
“We think we’re the team to beat,” Seier said. “We’re the number one seed heading into the (Region 3-AAAA) tournament, so we think we’re the team to beat.”
Portal was led by Kanesha Eason’s seven points.
Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9404.
