By Michael Lindsay

The Stone Memorial Panthers and Lady Panthers were back in action Friday night as they each defended their home floor in a sweep of cross-town rival Cumberland County. The Lady Panthers opened the evening with a 68-49 win followed by a 59-49 victory by the boys.

Girls

Freshman Lexi Clark led the way for the Class 3A #4-ranked Stone Memorial Lady Panthers (18-3, 3-1) Friday evening as she dropped 29 points en route to a 68-49 win over the Cumberland County Lady Jets (14-10, 1-3).

“There’s a lot goes into this game,” said Stone Memorial head coach Mike Buck. “It’s, it’s a cross-town rival, a big district game and homecoming. Lexi and Ashley are both our leaders on the offensive end. Lexi’s got a makeup about her where she’s built for these moments.”

Senior guard Ashley Whittenburg scored 15 points along with 12 by Ella Jane May. Freshman Maddie Spriggs led Cumberland County with 20 points.

Stone Memorial took an 11-6 lead midway through the first quarter before the Lady Jets ripped off a 14-0 run to lead 20-11 early in the second quarter. The Lady Panthers settled in and answered with a 14-4 run of their own to take a 25-24 lead via a Lexi Clark three-pointer with 1:10 remaining in the second quarter.

“Cumberland County played really well in the first half,” said Buck. “We got down 9 and never blinked or really freaked out at allI I knew that our pressure was going to continue to lean on them and give us a chance there in the second half.”

The Lady Panthers took a 30-27 lead into halftime led by 10 first-half points from Clark. Stone Memorial took control in the third quarter as they outscored the Lady Jets 23-14 in the frame to lead 53-41 entering the fourth quarter, where they closed out to win by a 68-49 final score.

Stone Memorial improves to 18-3 overall and 3-1 in District 7-3A play while Cumberland County drops to 14-10 and 1-3. Up next for the Lady Panthers is a trip to Class 2A #1-ranked York Institute on Tuesday while Cumberland County is scheduled to host Coalfield on Monday, weather permitting.

“Every night is something huge,” said Buck. “They all matter. This is obviously the toughest districts in the state. We prepared for this with our schedule in the in the pre-Christmas schedule, playing some of the best teams in the state. We’re trying to go out and play tough teams to prepare us for these moments right here.”

Boys

The Stone Memorial Panthers (12-7, 3-1) moved into solo possession of second place in District 7-3A play Friday evening as they defeated Class 3A #10-ranked Cumberland County (16-6, 2-2) in front of a capacity crowd in Crossville, 59-49.

“They really know each other,” said Stone Memorial head coach Jess Raby. “They know each other better than I do. There’s a tightness and there’s a nervousness that you have to play through. It means a lot to the community; What an awesome event. There were probably 2,000 people here; the crowd was amazing. Their students were amazing and classy as well. It’s really fun and proud to be a part of this around here in Cumberland County, a place that I’ve really made really made home.”

Briggs Lowe led the Panthers with 24 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter. Jack Cordell tacked on 13 points in the win.

“Tonight really was about Briggs in the second half,” said Raby. He really took over and carried us. Jack Cordell got a few offensive rebounds and putbacks that were really key for us. There were just so many things that we left out there offensively, but defensively we were playing hard.”

Sol and Shaeffer Sitton led Cumberland County with 13 points each along with 12 by Andrew Dennis.

A back-and-forth first half saw Stone Memorial lead 24-19 at halftime.

“They defended us well,” said Raby. “I’m frustrated by the offense, but sometimes you just have to give the other team credit. Coach Christian Goodwin did a really good job having them ready and really making us struggle the whole time on the offensive side.”

Stone Memorial extended their advantage to double digits with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter via a Lowe transition and-one to go up 38-28. The Jets rallied back as a pair of baskets from Dennis and a layup by Shaeffer Sitton cut Stone Memorial’s lead to 41-35 entering the fourth quarter.

Shaeffer Sitton opened the third quarter with a three-pointer to pull the Jets within one possession at 41-38. The Jets trailed 45-41 with with 5:40 left before a Lowe floater followed by a two-handed transition dunk off a lob from Evin Moseley gave the Panthers a 49-41 lead with 5:05 remaining.

“Briggs had 12 in that quarter,” said Raby. “The dunk really lit the place up. That was a big adrenaline rush took the top off of the gym.”

Stone Memorial closed out from there as they went on to win by a 59-49 final score. Up next for the Panthers is a trip to York Institute on Tuesday while Cumberland County is scheduled to host Coalfield on Monday, weather permitting.