Bucks rout Panthers to clinch a playoff spot

The Buckaroos improved to 23-5 on the season after beating the Paradise Panther 88-51 last Friday at home.

The team jumped out with two quick three-pointers and an easy layup for an 8-0 lead. This was a part of 17-4 run the team went on early in the first quarter.

The Panthers fought back and went on a 10-4 run to bring the game close and get the score to 21-14 by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Bucks open up a large lead by playing good defense and nailing midrange and beyond the arch shots.

Great team ball was displayed after a block led to the ball going from Aaryn Medina to Owen Woodward for a layup to extend the lead 36-20.

By the end of the second quarter, the Bucks had a 20 point lead and led 42-22 at halftime.

“We were doing a great job moving the ball, a great job defensively. I want us to stay focus and continue to play great defense in the second half,” Coach Colby Hartfield of the Buckaroos said at the end of the second quarter.

The third quarter saw the Buckaroos defense put a half-court press on the Panther. The defense allowed the Bucks to go on 12-5 run and end the third quarter with a 63-35 lead.

“I wanted us to have the right mindset, I knew we had a big lead and wanted to make sure our mentality was right going into the second half,” Coach Hartfield said.

With the game out of reach in the fourth quarter for the Panthers, the Buckaroos were able to rest some key starters and allow all players to gain playing time.

“We hang our hat on defense,” Coach Hartfield said. “We were able to get stops and grab rebounds. It’s hard to play at our pace for 32 minutes.”

The Buckaroos will have Senior Night on Friday and will play Jacksboro in the last home game before the playoffs.

The final game of the regular season will see the Buckaroos play the Peaster Greyhounds on the road, Tuesday, Feb. 18.