This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
The Paradise Lady Panthers’ bid to return to the state finals ended one round short Tuesday night. The sixth-ranked Lady Panthers fell to No. 1 Wall High School 54-51 in the Class 3A Division II state semifinals at Coahoma High School.
Wall extended its lead from 52-51 to 54-51 on two free throws with 15 seconds remaining. Paradise was unable to get a clean look at a potential game-tying shot in the closing seconds.
The Lady Panthers rallied from a 42-32 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Hartley Barnes connected on a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left to trim the Wall lead to one point before the final sequence. Paradise closes its season at 33-5.
Meanwhile, the No. 2 Paradise boys will compete in the Class 3A Division II Region II final later this week. The Panthers improved to 34-2 after a 44-29 victory over Hooks High School in Monday’s regional semifinal. Game details are available on the school’s website and social media accounts.