Share An 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter has the Panthers rolling into their first state final since 2011.
When Dr. Phillips needed guys to step up in crunch time, they did just that which, in turn, pushed the Panthers to a big 56-44 win over No. 1-ranked Oak Ridge in the FHSAA Class 7A semifinals Friday, March 5.
After Oak Ridge (23-3) pulled to within 43-42 thanks to a steal-happy defense and multiple fouls by DP with a little over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Panthers (23-3) proceeded to go on an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to go up 54-42. During that span the Pioneers missed 11 shots in-a-row, which was mostly due to a Panthers defense that made every shot a difficult one.
In the loss Eathen Williams led the Panthers with 11 points, while Jordan Tillery added 10 points. by: Nate Marrero, Contributing Writer
A questionable goaltending violation with 3.3 seconds left in the game proved to be the difference, as the Dr. Phillips Panthers lost to the Oak Ridge Pioneers 49-47 in a battle of the top two teams in class 7A Friday, Jan. 15.
Two minutes into the game, Oak Ridge lost SMU commit Jalen Smith after he injured both of his wrists when he hit the ground after being fouled while he went for a layup. Smith was transported to a local hospital following the injury.