This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
The No. 2 Paradise Panthers are gearing up for a heavyweight matchup on Black Friday as they face No. 5 Tuscola Jim Ned in the Class 3A Division I Region I semifinals. Both teams enter the contest at 11-1, setting the stage for one of the state’s premier small-school clashes. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hugh Sandifer Stadium on the Abilene Wylie campus.
Paradise has leaned on a dominant defensive effort throughout the postseason, posting back-to-back shutouts against Breckenridge and Dalhart. Last week in Childress, the Panthers controlled Dalhart from start to finish, building a 17-0 halftime lead before closing out a 24-0 victory.
Jim Ned enters after surviving a late rally from Bushland in its area-round win. The Indians held on for a 24-20 victory to advance.
The winner moves on to the regional final to meet either Peaster or Vernon.
On the basketball court, the Paradise girls are off to a 5-2 start after wrapping up Thanksgiving week with a loss to Collinsville. The boys team beat Springtown on Monday and faced Glen Rose on Tuesday.