Warrenton-The Portal Panthers' varsity basketball team travelled 2 hours up the road to take on the Warren County Screaming Devils in the Elite 8 of the state tournament on Wednesday, February 28. The Panthers' season ended in dramatic fashion with a final score of 76-74.
Tough End to a Great Season
The game was knotted up at 74 a piece with roughly 13 seconds remaining in overtime. Portal's Elijah Coleman just made an incredible play to steal the ball and score a layup to tie the game. Warren County inbounded the ball to junior Cosa Pender. Pender dribbled up the right side of the court and attacked the basket. He banked in a contested layup to put the Screaming Devils up 76-74 as the time expired.
Leading up to the game-winning shot, the Panthers and Screaming Devils traded runs all throughout the game, Going into the 4th quarter, Portal held a 49-47 lead. The Panthers would go on a 8-0 run to open up the final period to go up by 10. Warren County responded with a 14-3 run to take a 61-60 lead with a minute to go. Portal senior Joe Thomas would hit a big 3 to put his team up by 2 with under a minute left in regulation. Warren County would score again to tie the game up at 63 before the game went into overtime.
The entire game was a slugfest between two good teams. Portal and Warren County traded runs and big shots all night. No team could take full control over the game. Portal Head Coach, Jeff Brannen, spoke on what could have possibly changed the outcome of the game. "We did not come up with the 50/50 balls," said Brannen. He also cited missed opportunities at the charity stripe also being a reason for their loss.
The seniors for Portal came up big in the 4th quarter and overtime. Marion Tremble scored 12 points in the 4th quarter and overtime alone. Elijah Coleman scored 5 of the team's 14 points in overtime. He also added in several assists in the game. Joseph Thomas hit clutch shots in the the 4th quarter and overtime.
This game was the last time that the seniors will play a basketball game with Portal on their chest. Coach Brannen is still very proud of his team despite they didn't get the outcome that they wanted. "This group has achieved so much," Brannen said. "One game doesn't define these kids."
