PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The Pikeville Panthers boys’ basketball team defeated the Shelby Valley Wildcats 69-63 to take home the 59th boys’ District Championship game Wednesday, February 26.
The Panthers came into the game with a record of 15-8 on the season while the Wildcats showed up with a record of 15-11. These two teams met twice earlier in the season, and the Panthers came away with wins each time.
This was a hard-fought game from start to finish; in the first half of play, Gavin Hamilton of the Wildcats put up 15 points, 13 points being in the first quarter. Ian Onkst led the way in the first half with 7 points on the Panther’s side. Coming out of halftime, the Wildcats held a slim lead, 31-30. It was a back-and-forth battle all the way to the end, with Caden Johnson of the Wildcats putting up 13 points in the fourth quarter. In the end, though, the Panthers walked away with the victory.
On the Panthers, we saw five players reach double figures. EB Walters had 13 points, Jackson Keene with 13 points, Cole Slone notched 14 points, Mark Bowling had 10 points, and the M.V.P., Ian Onkst, ended with 15 points. On the Wildcats side, Gavin Hamilton led the way with 21 points, Brady Johnson had 14 points, and Caden Johnson added 15 on the night.
Both teams will find out who they will go against this Friday, February 28, in the 15th Region tournament.