By Jeff Devine
The Wicksburg Panthers turned in a strong all-around performance Friday night, earning victories at the junior varsity, varsity girls, and varsity boys levels against Houston Academy in an exciting night of basketball.
JV Panthers Hold Off Late Rally
The Wicksburg JV boys set the tone early, jumping out to an 11-3 lead after the first quarter and maintaining control through halftime with a 14-7 advantage. The Panthers continued to lead after three quarters, 21-15, but Houston Academy made things interesting late.
Despite some trouble in the fourth quarter, Wicksburg held its composure at the free-throw line to secure a 24-18 victory. The Panthers led wire-to-wire and showed resilience down the stretch to close out the win.
Lady Panthers Stay in Control
The Wicksburg Lady Panthers also led from start to finish in their matchup, opening with a 9-3 first-quarter lead and carrying a 15-10 advantage into halftime. Houston Academy cut into the deficit in the third quarter, but Wicksburg maintained its edge at 24-20 heading into the final period.
Behind a strong team effort and solid contributions from the bench, the Lady Panthers pulled away late to earn a 35-28 victory, showcasing depth and steady play on both ends of the floor.
Varsity Panthers Finish Strong
The varsity boys’ game capped off the night with a thrilling performance by the Panthers. Wicksburg led 17-12 after the first quarter before Houston Academy edged ahead at halftime, 27-24.
The Panthers responded in the third quarter, reclaiming the lead at 44-38, then took full control in the fourth. Winning three of the four quarters, Wicksburg closed out a hard-fought 58-51 victory, using strong defense and timely scoring to secure the win.
With the sweep, Wicksburg delivered one of its most complete nights of basketball this season, highlighted by composure in close moments and strong team play across all three games.
