We have all heard the saying of things changing in the “blink of an eye.” Well that is exactly what happened to the Dawson Springs Panthers in the Boys 7th District tournament Tuesday night. Finding themselves in the thick of a battle at halftime against the Madisonville Maroons, the Panthers went from four points down at the half to 21 points down just 3 ½ minutes later as they fell to Madisonville 84-54.
The Panthers, despite serious first half foul trouble, were in the game throughout the early going. Madisonville led Dawson Springs only 18-12 after the first quarter. The Maroons looked like they were going to put things away in the second quarter, bolting out to a 28-16 lead.
However, the Panthers outscored Madisonville for the rest of the half 10-2 to cut the lead to 30-26 at the break.
With the Dawson crowd roaring and the Panthers confidence growing, Madisonville delivered one of the quickest knockout blows you could ever witness. The Maroons opened the second half with six straight three point shots, while limiting the Panthers to one free throw. What was at the half a four point lead went to 48-27 lead in less than four minutes, and the game was effectively over at that point.
Madisonville was led by Cade Cunningham with 17 points. Cunningham also hit three of the six three pointers in the game deciding run. Marquise Parker added 14 for the Maroons. Braxton Cotton was the only Panther to reach double figures with 19 points.
The Maroons advance to the 7th District championship game on Friday against Hopkins Central.
