PORTAL — A three-pointer by Tyler Budgett off the opening tip and then a monstrous slam from Trent Thomas opened the game for the Portal Panthers as they raced out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 78-58 win over Taylor County the opening round of the Class A state playoffs. “We were able to come out early and hit some shots and got everyone in to the flow of the game,” Panthers Head Coach Jeff Brannen said. Portal (21-7) raced out to a 17-4 lead late in the first quarter behind a suffocating defense that forced several Vikings turnovers leading to easy baskets.