South Iron Panthers Back on Top of Black River League
The South Iron Panthers came into the Black River League Tournament on an undefeated season and Ranked # 2 in Class 1. On this 15-0 run, the Panthers have captured two other tournament titles including the Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament and the Bob Sechrest Christmas Tournament, where they defeated a talented Park Hills Central team. Because of their prior success, The Panthers were a heavy favorite to win the Black River League Tournament Championship and given the number 1 seed. As the tournament played out this week they were the talk of the tournament - the must see team, cruising with style in the first round by defeating the Bunker Eagles 87-47 and the second round defeating the host school, Clearwater Tigers 92-36.
The Panthers had everything clicking and going their way and not had a game where they had seen some adversity, but as most good coaches know, coach Dusty Dinkins knew that the game would come. Saturday night the Panthers were having that game that coach Dinkins was worried about. The first half the Panthers found themselves in a game they hadn't experienced yet this season. Their shots were not falling, they were struggling to find their offense, and found themselves down at the half by a score of 28-24 to the East Carter Redbirds, who had won the only tournament that they had been in this year by winning the Clarkton Christmas tournament in easy fashion. The drama started to build. How would the Panthers respond in the second half? The Clearwater gym was full with most wondering, would this be the game that the Panthers tasted their first defeat? As the third quarter started you could tell that coach Dinkins had gotten their attention in the locker room at the half. South Iron came out in the third quarter pressing and running and their shots started to fall. When the third quarter was over the Panthers had taken full control of the game with a 27-6 quarter. They went on to hold that lead in the fourth and win their third straight tournament championship this year and run their record to an unbelievable mark of 18-0.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Junior, Brock Wakefield with 25 pts, Sophomore, Drenin Dinkins with 21 pts and Senior, Jacob Howell and Sophomore, D.J. Prater with 8 pts each.
South Iron will next be in action Tuesday, January 28th at home against the Fredericktown Blackcats.