Panthers fall to Choctaw County in waning moments

CCHS@MHS (DEC 19, 2013)	1ST	2ND	3RD	4th	FINAL
CHOCTAW COUNTY (2-4)	11	19	14	25	69
MARENGO PANTHERS (0-6, 0-3)	11	11	19	27	68

DIXON’S MILLS—The Marengo High Panthers suffered another gut-wrenching defeat Thursday night on their home court. Choctaw County contributed the final blow with less than two seconds on the game clock to squeak out the 69-68 victory.

After a pair of made free throws with 11.9 seconds remaining in regulation, Marengo stood on the verge of its first win of the season. CCHS’s Pringle had other ideas—with no timeouts remaining for either squad, Pringle took it to the basket without hesitation. His awkward shot attempt found a home at the bottom of the bucket with less than two seconds remaining. MHS had a last second prayer at the buzzer that wouldn’t have counted had it fallen.

It was the second numbing defeat for a zealous Panther squad in as many meetings as MHS lost in eerily similar fashion just two days prior by a final of 67-66 in favor of J.U Blacksher.

However, MHS has plenty reason to walk away from this past week’s near misses with their heads held high.  The Panthers’ season scoring average has steadily been on the rise since they first tipped close to a month ago.

Before heading into Thursday’s non-league contest, the Panthers’ points per game averaged in at about 42.8, with fourth period points hardest to come by. Their last two contests, however, saw Marengo’s final period production surpass that of their previous game total average.

With scoring comes confidence. And confidence seems to be building for a Marengo team that has the time and ability to shake things up mightily within its region.

Michael Lewis and Demetrius Bowser had game-high point totals, tallying 26 apiece.

Lewis finished with seven rebounds.

Bowser snatched six boards to go with his two steals and two block shots.

Pringle led the charge for CCHS with 19 points followed by Chess who finished with 14.

MHS looks to climb over the hump as it starts back area play on the road against McIntosh Saturday afternoon.