Lady Panthers Beat Lady Demons
By John Earp
Tuesday night in the Panther Gym, the Lady Panthers (5-5) squared off against the Dexter Lady Demons (8-5). The game got off to a very slow start, with no score for the first 2:30 minutes of play. Mayrin Nieto scored the first basket of the game, sinking a nice layup. It continued to be primarily a defensive game in the first period, with the Lady Panthers slowly building a small lead over the Lady Demons. With one and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Lady Panthers led 10-7. The Lady Demons turned a corner in the second period, pulling ahead of the Lady Panthers. With 2:45 remaining in the second period, Dexter led 18-14.
The Lady Panthers came roaring back after halftime, pulling to within one point of Dexter with just over five minutes remaining in the third. Mayrin Nieto tied the game up at 24 with just over four minutes remaining in the third. Johnna Butts then gave the Lady Panthers their first lead since the first quarter with a two-pointer. At the end of the third quarter, the Lady Panthers were leading 29-26. The Lady Panthers totally turned on the heat in the fourth quarter, and by the end of the game they had moved ahead to a comfortable 12-point lead for the win, 45-33.
The Lady Panthers will face Mesilla Valley Christian School Thursday the 8th in a home game as part of the weekend’s Panther Invitational Tournament.