Panthers topple Drexel for fourth win

The Sheldon Panthers basketball team picked up its fourth victory of the season Monday night after knocking off the Drexel Bobcats 48-41.

The impressive road win improves the Panthers to 4-2 overall (2-1 GVVC).

The Lady Panthers (0-6 overall, 0-3 GVVC) were also in action Tuesday, falling to the Lady Bobcats 53-32.

Boys contest

Drexel jumped out to a 10-7 first quarter lead, before Sheldon pulled even at halftime, with the score 18-18. The Panthers led 28-26 at the conclusion of the tree quarters. Sheldon then erupted for a 20-point fourth quarter to pull away for the victory.

The boys faced a team full of height and muscle," First-year Sheldon head coach Dusty Murray said of Drexel. "We did a good job of using the conditioning we went through over the summer to play our game and to wear them out"

Murray said he was pleased with the Panthers ball movement.

"The boys did a good job of sharing the ball," he said, "and our defense made some excellent stops down the stretch."

Murray continued, "We were able to grab defensive rebounds late and in return we went to the foul line. We attacked when the lanes were open, and we stayed true to the team we are. Each player did their job."

For Sheldon, point guard Zavey Lamb poured in a game-high 21 points.

"Zavery did a good job putting pressure on the defense and was active stealing the ball and getting stops on the defensive end," Murray said.

Sheldon center Brett O'Connor finished with 10 points and was also active on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds, while Matt Bogart chipped in 6 points.

Murray said he was pleased with the rebounding and defensive efforts of O'Connor and Bogart.

"Brett did a good job boxing out," noted Murray. "And Matt stepped up big grabbing rebounds and getting his hands on passes to give us extra possessions. "

Sheldon, guard Clayton Loyd concluded the evening with 6 points, while Alex Hibbitts added 4, and Kaleb Martin, 2.

"Clayton did a good job facilitating the basketball," Murray said. "gave us positive energy when his number was called upon, and Kaleb got the boys into position on offense and defense and was a leader on the floor."

Girls contest

Sheldon trailed early, as the Lady Bobcats opened the game on a 16-1 spree. The Lady Panthers then regrouped, outscoring Drexel by a combined score of 24-18 during the second and third quarters. The teams played to a 13-13 draw in the fourth quarter, for the final 21-point margin.

"The girls started off sluggish in the first quarter, and were able to make adjustments in the second quarter and at halftime to play the game more competitively," Murray said.

"They pulled together on the defensive end and got some stops ---- and on the offensive end they were able to pass the ball more efficiently and give themselves looks that were there more frequently than they were in the first quarter. "

For Sheldon, freshman guard Meckinize McCartney finished with a team-high 17 points, while Alycia Baney added and 9 and Mahalia Swink 3.

"Overall, I liked the way they communicated and played as a unit" Murray said.

Check Friday's edition for a recap of Sheldon's Tuesday night contest with Bronaugh