Updated: Panthers Basketball Looking Good Again

The Pugwash Panthers captured their own basketball tournament this weekend, going 3-0 and looking good in the process. The six team tourney was hosted at Pugwash High School last night and today.

The hosts opened the event on Friday with a 75-33 coast over Springhill. Later in the evening they powered past Drumlin Heights 73-45. That set the stage to meet Hants North in the championship final this afternoon.

Sam Wade led the Panthers with 23 points en route to a comfortable 67-56 victory. Patrick Liebmann poured in 16 points, while Jayson Arsenault contributed 15. Pugwash led 34-24 at the half and never looked back.

A strong defence and quick transition game proved too much for Hants North, as they struggled in the paint against the taller Panthers. The photo shows the Pugwash shooter completely surrounded but the height advantage was too much.

The visitors enjoyed a third quarter surge on the strength of some outside shooting. But the Panthers seemed to be able to run at will.

Meanwhile, Drumlin Heights and North Colchester put on a show in the second place game. Drumlin jumped out to an early lead and seemed destined for the win. However, the boys from Tatamagouche had a fourth quarter run to close a 20 point gap and force the game into overtime.

The two teams, who both seemed weak in shooting, found the range for the extra frame and started exchanging leads. While Colchester popped for deuces from around the paint, Drumlin replied with three pointers, eventually snaring an 85-84 victory.

Third place went to Forest Heights with their 67-52 win over Springhill.

Pugwash coach, Vincent Pye, suggested Hants North would likely be the Panthers rivals this year, but he noted that Drumlin could be a team to be reckoned with late in the season. They were missing two key players from this tournament and with all hands on deck they would offer a real challenge.

Here are the complete tournament scores: