NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio – Saturday was the first day of high school sports in 2021, and it was a great day to be a Panther.
In New Lexington, the 4-4 Panthers boys team welcomed 4-1 Rosecrans to The Jungle. The Panthers were looking to carry the momentum of a big win over Alexander earlier this week to another victory, while the Bishops would try to get back to their winning ways after Northridge handed them their first loss of the season Tuesday night.
A defensive battle through the first half, the Panthers led the Bishops 16-12 at the half. Coming out of the break, Logyn Ratliff and Braden Agriesti turned up the offensive production in the third quarter, with Ratliff going 3/5 from the field.
The Panthers pull away from the Bishops and hold on to win and move back over .500 on the season.
FINAL: ROSECRANS 31 – NEW LEXINGTON 50
As for the Lady Panthers of New Lexington, they travelled to Hebron to play Lakewood after dropping a game to Alexander on Wednesday night.
The Panthers pulled away in the first half and carried that momentum through the rest of the game, with three players finishing in double digits. Kim Kellogg led the pack with 18 points, followed by Aubri Spicer with 17 and Lydia Stephens with 11 as the Panthers return to their winning ways to start the new year.
FINAL: NEW LEXINGTON 60 – LAKEWOOD 42
Maysville’s Lady Panthers were also in action Saturday afternoon, travelling to Tuscarawas County to play an always tough New Philadelphia team.
The Big Cats led 30-16 heading into the break, but the Quakers pulled back within eight to head into the final quarter trailing 43-35.
Bailee Smith would take over and score nine of the Panthers final 14 points, bringing her game total to 29 and coming within seven points of becoming Maysville’s all-time leading scorer.
FINAL: MAYSVILLE 57 – NEW PHILADELPHIA 47
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One more Lady Panthers team was in action tonight, as Licking Valley hosted John Glenn in Hanover. The Panthers looked to bounce back after losing in a blowout to undefeated Sheridan earlier this week, and John Glenn looked to ride the momentum of a blowout win over Coshocton to another victory.
Like many of the games tonight, this one was close throughout the first half before Licking Valley went on a 10-0 run to start to pull away and take a 28-21 lead into the half.
They would never look back.
FINAL: JOHN GLENN 47 – LICKING VALLEY 63
Other area scores:
Boys Basketball:
CARDINGTON 44 – NEWARK CATHOLIC 53
