The Alba-Golden Panthers fell victim to the visiting Cayuga Wildcats last Tuesday. The final score was 47-28. The Wildcats used a reinvigorated inside game to carry the balance of the play in the second half to the win.

The home side matched the visitors’ energy in the first 16 minutes. Center Blake Harris tallied nine points in the opening half, while forward Boogie Trimble pitched in with three scores, and Noah Richardson ranged in a 3-pointer.

At the half, the score stood 25-20, Cayuga. 

The Wildcats simply played outstanding defense in the second half, especially in the third quarter. 

The only points that the Panthers could muster in the third quarter came off a very nicely-executed inbound play. Trimble took the inbound pass deep in the corner behind a solid screen and nailed the long 3-pointer. 

Alba-Golden put a good sequence together midway through the fourth. Harris scored on a nifty assist from Trimble, who then registered another 3-pointer in the next possession.

It was just a dent in the Cayuga defense, however. The vertical rebounding game of the Wildcats, and the inside finishing game in the offensive paint, dominated the second half. 

The Panthers are hosting Martin’s Mill on Friday to begin the second round of district play. Despite their loss Tuesday, the Panthers are certainly still eyeing a playoff spot; there’s a lot of basketball left to play.