Sports Editor

Coach Tim Miller is pleased with the direction of the

Starr's Mill Panthers in their first varsity season. "We are competitive

in every game and never stop fighting." On Friday night, the

Panthers faced Woodward Academy. The defense was outstanding

for both teams, as Starr's Mill played their best man to man defense

all year. Woodward kept a press on the Panthers but Starr's

Mill showed enormous amounts of patience and broke the

press. Woodward led by five points at the half and then by five

again with only five minutes left in the game. Starr's Mill began to

have trouble breaking the War Eagles pressure, most likely due to

fatigue. Woodward pulled ahead and won by a score of 79-64.

Matt Houck scored 21 points for the Panthers and Mikey

Richardson chipped in 10.

On Saturday, Starr's Mill played Jonesboro. The Panthers

started off slowly and trailed by 12 points in the first quarter. They

fought back hard in the second and only trailed Jonesboro by one at

the half. Starr's Mill then took over, getting great performances

from Matt Houck and Dane Davenport. They each had 14 points

in the game. The Panthers led by one with 29 seconds left

when they were called for traveling. Jonesboro got the ball, hit a

three pointer and then two foul shots before it was over. They won

the game, 56-52. Starr's Mill faces North Clayton and Riverdale

this week, both teams are ranked in the state.

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