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By Rachel Rosen and Shelby Hickman
The Newberry Lady Panthers showed out in Monday’s matchup against the Hamilton County Lady Trojans, in a 68-35 win.
A fired-up Newberry squad charged onto the court looking to bring its record above .500. The Panthers, led by Brandy Whitfield, operated as a unit and played great team basketball. As a result, they left the gym with another victory in the books.
Panthers Hot to Trot
The Newberry starters set the tone early in the first quarter. With efficient ball movement and strong communication, multiple Panthers were able to show off their shooting skills. Sarah Beaulieu sunk back-to-back two-pointers, followed by a nothing-but-net three from Brandy Whitfield to extend the lead early in the first. This momentum continued throughout the quarter, as Newberry secured a double-digit lead heading into the second with a score of 24-14.
A Well-Oiled Machine
The Lady Panthers were dominant in their efforts, as they continued to drive through the Trojan defense. Newberry settled their offense to set up effective playmaking, which allowed them to carry out smart shots. Whitfield’s corner three was just one of many key plays made in the second quarter. Newberry stretched its lead to 15 points, going into the locker room up 40-25.
The first half comes to a close and the Lady Panthers have their foot on the gas, showing no signs of slowing down. Newberry leads 40-25. pic.twitter.com/FRAt1GlIqw
— Nate Bilgoray (@BilgorayNate) November 29, 2022
Piling on the Points
The Lady Trojans were no match for an unstoppable Lady Panthers offense. The Panthers continued to stack their lead, approaching each play with grit and an unwillingness to waste a possession. Newberry revealed an ability to outplay its opponents, putting up an additional 21 points and allowing just eight. With this, it almost doubled its lead going into the fourth quarter.
L. Monroe nails a deep three to extend the Lady Panther’s lead to 59-31. Newberry is heating up and running away with this game. pic.twitter.com/49Hud3mkrr
— Nate Bilgoray (@BilgorayNate) November 29, 2022
Panthers Prevail
Newberry opened up the final eight minutes of play with a comfortable 61-33 lead. Despite this, its ruthless intensity remained until the clock ran out. Whitfield’s wowing 27-point performance accompanied by a united Newberry front got the job done at home. After the game finished, Newberry’s crowd roared as its cheerleaders celebrated its victory with a closing chant. It was an exciting night of basketball at the Panther House.
https://twitter.com/BilgorayNate/status/1597411106452279297
The Junior Varsity Lady Panthers also walked all over the Lady Trojans JV squad, beating it by a whopping 26 points, with a final score of 42-16.
Nate Bilgoray spoke with Whitfield after the game, and she spoke about her drive to win as she competes with a winning mentality. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to play on varsity as a freshman and is optimistic about her team’s ability to continue their success.
The Newberry Lady Panthers Varsity team will face the Oak Hall Eagles at home Wednesday night, with tip-off at 6 p.m.
