The sixth contest of the John Wall Holiday Invitational took place between Panther Creek and Salisbury High School. Although it was the last game of the day, it proved to be the most competitive and entertaining battle thus far. Panther Creek finished last season as one of the top teams in the state, and their start to this season has only further solidified that notion. On the other side, Salisbury is a dominant program each year. The Hornets are off to a perfect start (9-0) with the necessary pieces in place to potentially win back-to-back state championships. Both teams came out firing offensively, trading buckets and never allowing the lead to get larger than a one or two-possession deficit during the first quarter. At halftime, Panther Creek led 33-31 over Salisbury, but the final outcome was still anyone’s for the taking.
Following the break, the Catamounts began building momentum and extending their lead. They continued to methodically get into their sets, move the ball, and connect on the best available shot. They started distancing themselves in the third quarter, establishing a double-digit lead and highlighting intensity on both ends of the floor. The Hornets fought to mount a comeback but were unable to erase the deficit, as Panther Creek secured a 71-63 victory over Salisbury.
