By Patrick Carey – Sporting Times Contributor
Photos by Chuck Feist – Sporting Times
“I believe, I believe that we have won!” Elizabethtown High School’s student section summed it up best as the Panthers posted another dominant performance in the semifinal matchup against Ballard High School. Coming into the afternoon, this was one of the most intriguing matchups thus far in the tournament. Although the final score didn’t show it the game was electric, and the atmosphere was like no other.
It is clear the Panthers are on a mission after their season was abruptly ended last season due to COVID-19. When head coach James Haire was asked about how well his team is playing, he quickly answered, “I have two thoughts, feel for my seniors last year but very thankful to be here.” It is clear E-Town continues to hurt for their seniors last season, and they are leaving everything on the court in 2021.
If there is anything you should know about Ballard High School basketball, Maker Bar is a bad man. With E-Town relying entirely on their guard play there was a clear concern for handling the double-double machine in Bar. Coach Haire made it clear that Bar wasn’t their only concern this afternoon, “Ballard is not a one-person team; I don’t think you can stop him. Like I said they are all a very good solid group of people.” Bar came out of the gates scoring the Bruins first six points of the game.
Panthers’ Alandre Murphy had his hands full this afternoon guarding Bar but did well considering the height differential. The Panthers made it clear they were going to take Bar out of the game early as he was quickly doubled every touch early on.
The Panthers know their strengths and execute them well. E-Town jumped out to a 21-10 lead by the end of the first quarter with three early 3’s from Camden Williams. Just when it seemed like the Panthers were going to run away with it in the second quarter the Bruins came clawing back to make the game interesting going into intermission, 35-28. But the third quarter was quite a different story. E-Town started the second half with a 14-0 run to break the game wide open.
The Panthers made a statement defensively as the Bruins didn’t hit a field goal until there was 2:57 left in the third quarter. Credit to Ballard as they fought hard until the very end of the fourth quarter, but the athleticism and speed of E-Town was simply too much. Ballard’s Derrick Tilford expressed the struggles of playing against the Panthers, “they are a very good team. They have good chemistry as a senior group. They made it really hard to try to come back.”
E-Town maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter and the starters received a standing ovation from the Panther faithful, and a “I believe that we have won” chant from their passionate student section. Every starter for the Panthers finished the semifinal matchup with double digit scoring. Senior guard Jaquais Franklin led the way with a game high, 19 points. Alandre Murphy, Kam Sherrard, and Khia Sherrard contributed with 13 points apiece.
The Panthers are set to face Highlands tonight at 7P.M. CT in Rupp Arena, for the 2021 KHSAA State Championship!
