Twice as nice
Panthers defeat Banks, Fannin a second time
By JARED PUTNAM

Corey Garrett led the Panthers in scoring, with 19 points at Banks and 16 versus Fannin.

The Panthers added two more wins to their already impressive record, defeating a pair of subregion foes for the second time this season.

While their encore matchup with Banks County was yet another blowout, their second outing against Fannin came down to the wire.

Union 56 - Fannin 51

The Panthers got off to a fast start in their rematch with the Rebels, as Colton Payne hit a trey that gave Union the first basket of the night. After Corey Garrett added a pair of free throws, Payne stole the ball and hit Michael Ross under the basket for an easy bucket that gave Union a 7-0 lead.

The Rebels tried to regroup with a timeout, but the Panthers continued to build the lead, stretching it to double digits at 13-3. Austin Collins hit a jump shot near the end of the quarter, as Union finished the first period with a 20-9 advantage. In the second quarter the Rebels looked like a different team, opening with an 11-0 run that cut the lead down to 24-20. Union clung to a 26-24 lead going into the half.

In the background Lauren looks like she might be saying a little prayer for Michael's shot. It went in, and ended up being the game winner.

As the third period began Fannin picked up where they left off, scoring the first basket to tie the game. The Rebels scored again, taking their first lead 28-26. A quick basket by Garrett tied the game and Taylor Neely knocked down a freethrow to put the Panthers back on top. Austin Collins added a pair from the foul line to push the lead to three, but Fannin tied it up once again with a three-pointer.

After Neely completed a threepoint play that gave Union a 36-33 lead, Michael Ross knocked down a trey to double the lead to six points. The Rebels scored the final basket of the period, leaving the Panthers ahead by four going into the final period.

As the fourth quarter opened it appeared as if Union might pull away, after Corey Garrett scored back-to-back buckets that pushed the lead to eight points at 43-35, his team's biggest advantage since early in the second quarter.

But the Rebels rallied again, closing the gap to 46-42. They then completed a three-point-play and hit a pair of technical freethrows, giving them the lead with 3:58 remaining. Caleb Kelly tied the score on a foul shot of his own, but the Rebels responded with another basket. Austin Collins evened the score once again, leaving the game tied 49-49 with under two and a half minutes remaining.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Austin Collins scores 2 of his 11 points against Fannin.

On the Panthers next possession Michael Ross called for the ball, then stepped out beyond the arc and knocked down a three-pointer. That basket proved to be the game winner. Even though the Rebels came back with a basket of their own to close within a single point, Ross merely stepped outside the arc one more time, knocking down another trey to push the Panthers lead to 55- 51 with 1:05 remaining.

"I knew [Michael getting hot] would only take a certain amount of time," Coach Hunter said. "He came out there and threw two daggers."

Corey Garrett added a freethrow with 40.2 on the clock, and the Panthers were able to keep the Rebels from scoring any more points, holding on for a 56-51 victory.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Michael Ross hit two clutch treys late in the game.

"Two plays as big as the threes that Ross hit were two charges Colton Payne took in the fourth quarter," Coach Hunter explained, "and he was taking those charges from big kids."

Garrett led Union with 16 points, followed by Ross with 15. Collins was also in double figures with 11.

Union 81 - Banks 54

The Panthers seconding outing against Banks County played out much like the first, as Union used defensive pressure to take the Leopards out of the game.

"After [the first minute] we really established control of the game," Coach Hunter said. "That was a game where the guys took care of business ahead of time. We were up by about 40 points when I pulled the starters."

Corey Garrett led the team with 19 points, followed by Austin Collins with 15, and Cody Adams with 11. "They had no answer for Corey," Coach Hunter said. "He has to play well for us to be successful like that."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam In a physical game Corey gets clocked by a Rebels post player. Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Colton Payne drives in for the layup against the Rebels.