An important stretch of games started off well for the Panthers Friday night as they pulled off a close win over Maryville 52-48 in Lenoir City.  The win began a stretch of games that includes Maryville, Loudon, Bearden and Sequoyah all in a five-day stretch.

"If you would have started this one off at home with a loss, it just makes the other games so much more stressful and harder, and your confidence goes down," Lenoir City Head Coach Kevin Windle said of the importance of Friday night's win.

The game was in doubt much of the night as the Rebels succeeded in shutting down Panther stars Tyler Hood and Dylan Powers in the first half.  The duo combined for just 14 points in the first two quarters.  With freshman Jordan Hall out with an ankle injury, the Panthers thus had trouble finding scorers.

However, Windle had high praise for both Jared Hilton and Hayden Park after the game.  Both, he said, were keys to the Panther victory over District 4(3A) foe Maryville.
Windle said Hilton played "extremely well" and pointed out two key plays Park made in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers led just 36-35 after the third quarter and the Rebels grabbed a 37-36 lead in the opening minutes.

Powers came back with a three to retake the lead, but the Rebels tied it on a midrange jumper by T.J. Kimble.  However, Park then got two of his three fourth quarter points on the ensuing possession as he fought for a missed shot.  There was a struggle for the airborne basketball after the errant shot, but Park was able to tip it up and in to give Lenoir City a lead.  It was an advantage the Panthers wouldn't relinquish.

On the other end of the court, Cameron Langley drove to the basket for an easy layup, but Park got in his way and drew the charge.  On the ensuing Panther possession, Powers drained a three to put the hosts up 44-37 with 4:40 left in the game.

"Plays like that - among the whole team - are what propel winning teams," Windle said of Park's efforts.
The Rebels answered Powers' three with a short jumper by Langley, but Tyler Thomas and Hood came back with four straight points on free throws.
The Rebels kept hanging in there, however, as Stian Romberg hit a three to cut the lead to four at 48-44.

However, a free throw by Park kept the Panthers ahead by five and ensured that the Panthers still led by three after Kimble hit a layup on the other end.
Another foul by Maryville sent Caleb Mabry to the line and the senior hit one of two free throws to keep the advantage at four.  Another easy layup by Romberg, however, kept things interesting with just a two point margin.
On the ensuing inbound, however, the Panthers got what they wanted - the pass found its way to Hood and the senior hit both free throws to seal the win.

As big as winning this game was for the Panthers' district seeding and confidence, there was a little something extra in it for Windle.  The coach said that Maryville's head coach, Mark Eldridge, coached him in high school and then Windle served on Eldridge's staff at Anderson County.  "It was a sweet victory to get against him," Windle said.
Hilton led the Panthers in scoring with 17 points.  Hood followed with 14.

The Panthers continued the tough stretch Saturday night when they traveled to Loudon.  They'll return to action Monday when they visit Bearden and then they'll host Sequoyah for senior night.
Game time both nights is set for 8 p.m.