It did not come easy but the Dawson Springs Panthers got the new season off on the right foot Monday night. Four of the five Panther starters hit double figure as the Panthers pulled away down the stretch to take an 80-67 win over Christian Fellowship in the season opener for both teams.
Much of the opening quarter went back and forth. There were seven lead changes and one tie in the first. Jaydon Plunkette gave the Panthers five late points, including a three just ahead of the buzzer as Dawson Springs led 23-18 after one.
Despite big second quarters from Plunkette, Rex Blue, and Montgomery Johnston, the Panthers could not put much breathing room between themselves and the Eagles. The lead would reach as many as nine points on a couple of occasions, but the Panthers could just never quite get the lead to double digits.
Christian Fellowship would get as close as four late in the half before a couple of baskets from Rex Blue sent the Panthers to the locker room with a 42-35 halftime lead.
The Panthers opened the second half getting solid play from Jaydon Plunkette and Easton Bourland as the lead moved back out to nine points at 47-38. Then, with the snowy weather outside, the Panthers hit a chilly streak on the inside.
Christian Fellowship went on a 13-1 run and came storming back to take a 51-48 lead late in the third. However, Dawson Springs responded with a Rex Blue three and five straight points from Jaydon Plunkette to claim a 55-51 lead heading into the final quarter.
Then it was Deacon Dever time for Dawson Springs. The Panther big man scored their first seven points of the fourth quarter and helped Dawson Springs push the lead back out to nine points at 64-55. The Panthers finally got the lead out to double digits when birthday boy Rex Blue drilled a three from the left side inside the final three minutes to move it out to 68-57 and from there it was simply a matter of determining the final score.
Rex Blue celebrated his birthday by leading the Panthers with 23 points. Deacon Dever had a big night with 17 points. Montgomery Johnston added 16 points. Jaydon Plunkette finished with 15 points, 11 of them coming in the first half. Easton Bourland just missed out on joining the party with 9 points, all in the second half.
Christian Fellowship was led by Samuel Grigg with 24 points. His brother Elijah Grigg added 20 points. Daxton Kile also hit double digits with 11.
Dawson Springs (1-0) will be back in action Friday night on the road at Webster County.
