This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
The Paradise High School boys basketball team captured its first state championship Friday, rallying late to defeat Palestine Westwood 52-51 in the Class 3A Division II title game at the Alamodome.
Trailing for more than 31 minutes, Paradise took its first lead of the game on a turnaround jumper by forward Max Jordan in the closing moments. The Panthers then held on as Westwood’s potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.
No. 2-ranked Paradise завершed the season 37-2 and extended its winning streak to 20 games. The title marks a historic milestone for the program, which finished as state runner-up in 2025.
Paradise trailed 38-34 entering the fourth quarter and fell behind by as many as seven points early in the period. The Panthers surged late, outscoring Westwood 16-8 over the final 6:16 to secure the win.
Jordan was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after delivering a dominant performance with 29 points, shooting 14 of 21 from the field.
Under head coach Bo Rickner, Paradise’s defense slowed a high-scoring Westwood team enough to stay within striking distance before completing the comeback. Players rushed the court in celebration following the final buzzer.