HARROGATE — The Cumberland Gap Panthers matched up against the Union County Patriots for the second time this season welcoming them to their home court. Defeating the Lady Patriots during their first match up back in December with an ending score of 60-43, the Lady Panthers were determined for another victory. Starting for the Lady Panthers was Emily Daniels, Mackenzie McFall, Jonna Adkins, Tracey Shackleford, and Chelsea Graves. The first period started off slow for both teams offensively. However, defensively, the teams were getting the job done. The Lady Panthers took an early lead in the first and carried through with an ending score for the first period of 10-8. During the second period, scoring came easier as both teams stepped up their offense. The Panthers were still in the lead going into the half with a score of 27-15. It seemed that no matter how hard the Patriots tried to gain control of the game, they were unable to achieve their goal. The second half held the same tone as did the first half. The Lady Patriots were no match for the Panthers allowing for another victory to be taken by the Panthers with an ending score of 48-32 for the game. The top three scorers for the Lady Panthers were senior Courtney Williams with 14 points, junior Chelsea Graves with 10 points, and freshmen Emily Daniels with nine points. Congratulations to our Lady Panthers!!! You girls played a spectacular game!!! Lastly for the night was the match up between the Varsity Panthers and the Patriots. Back in December for their first match up, the Panthers defeated the Patriots at their home court in Union County with a final score of 76-70. A close game that night would prove for an exciting game ahead. Starting for our Panthers were Ricky Earl, Cory Cheek, Jeffery Matlock, Timmy Ayers, and Trae Minton. During the first period, the Patriots took an early lead, scoring within the first few seconds after tip off. The Panthers bounced back and shot for a three. Continuing shot for shot, the first period quickly ended. The Panthers fell short with a score of 15-21 going into the second. During the second the same tone continued. The Patriots were still in the lead while the Panthers were unable to gain any sort of control of the ball. The score going into half time was 30-38 with the Panthers still trailing behind. The demeanor of the Panthers was unusual in the first half. It was unlike them to fall so far behind without a fight. Coming out of the half, the Panthers regained some incentive and fought hard to catch up. However, they were still unable to do so in the third, ending the period still 10 points behind with a score of 42-52. Refusing to give up, the Panthers held strong and absolutley pulled it together in the fourth. The tension rose as the end of the game grew closer. The crowd stood and cheered in aww of the comeback that was taking place. The Panthers had caught up, determined for a win. With hearts racing, one minute was left until the final buzzer. Time outs were called right and left. The Panthers were within a point of taking the lead when a technical was called on the Panthers. The Patriot shooting for the technical missed the two shoots. The victory was still in reach for the Gap; however, multiple fowls on the Gap were called allowing the Patriots to increase their score and our last shot to pull ahead bounced off the rim into the arms of a Patriot allowing them to score yet again and win the ball game. It was an extraordinary game with a disappointing end. However, the Panthers played spectacular and really pulled it all together in the fourth. The top three scorers for the Panthers were junior Timmy Ayers with 17 points, senior Cory Cheek with 15 points, and freshmen Ben Arnold with nine points. Better luck next time, boys!! You had great effort!