If you had seen this game in the first half you would not believe the final score. The Knights of Oņate were out muscling and out hustling the Panthers and one could have easily figured that this game was over at half with the Knights comfortably ahead by ten points 25-15.

But, the look on Coach Michael Harper's face as he walked into the locker at half time was one you wouldn't want to try as a steady diet.

Obviously, he didn't take kindly to being photographed either. But, luckily, only his team and staff had to sit through whatever he dished out. Maybe he read them the riot act. Or, maybe he was calm and supportive.

What ever it was... it worked. The team which had shut down the Knights in the last few minutes of the second period while scoring from the line to keep it close; outscored Oņate 36-11 in the second half as the Knights only scored two field goals the rest of the game. The Panthers ended up winning this one going away... 51-36.

Did Oņate become complacent? How? This was not the first time they suffered a devastating meltdown.

On the other hand, how did the Panthers completely rout this very athletic team. Maybe it was heart... or trust. It seems that this team actually trusts their coach and they believe in what he has taught them.

In the photo at left, it clear that the Kights brought a much larger and taller team. But, that doesn't always translate into a win. It doesn't trump heart either.

It would be hard to find a more worthy effort for the Jeckly & Hyde award. Watching the Knights play in the first half you just have to scratch your head.

When the momentum snowball gets rolling against you, it is essential to get the momentum back. The Knights just couldn't do it. But, remember, these are just growing boys and emotions play tricks. Harper, however, seems to have his team immune to any form of the negative emotional malady. "No sulking allowed"? Harper's team became focused and just reeled in this very rewarding victory slowly but ever so surely.

One other explaination is that Harper, who had recently won his 700th game, is a wizard. You don't win 700 games anywhere without being a gifted coach. The game turned around as if Harper had willed his team to excellence.

By the end of the third period the Knights were only leading by 1 point, 29-28. The leading scorer for the Panthers was Daniel Rico their senior guard with 33 points. The Panthers also scored 18-24 points from the foul line in the second half helping their cause greatly. This is another sign of a well coached team.

In fact, the Knights' coach, Richard Robinson, was issued a technical foul in an attempt to fire his team up. It didn't work. The frustration only grew and guard Abe Tarin was charged with an intentional foul. Oņate didn't recover from the that.

The Panthers had gotten right into the Knights' head. They also didn't recover from the Panthers smelling blood and working the game as if they were in a feeding freenzy.

The Gadsden crowd came alive in the second half and cheered their team on their impossible mission. There was a sizeable Oņate cheering section that had been quite noticable in the first half. They were less so in the second half.

Congratulations Panthers. It must of felt real good to be in that locker room after the game. The Panthers and Coach Harper are an inspiration to us all.

"No te rajes". Never give up!

The Panthers get back on the home court on Feb. 1st against the Las Cruces Bulldogs. Will Harper's team blow out the "Dawgs" or come from behind to win? You don't want to miss it. See you there.

  (Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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