Braylon Green (23) of Fairbanks leaps for a jump shot with a pair of West Jefferson defenders attempting to block his shot. Green tallied 10 points during the Panthers’ 38-37 loss. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
In the Fairbanks boy’s basketball team’s last game of the regular season, the Panthers played like they have all year, tough, tight and coming up just short in the end.
This time, the Panthers lost to Ohio Heritage conference foe West Jefferson by a single point, 38-37.
FHS head coach Justin George said the loss was a tough one for his senior crew, being their final home game of the season.
However, he added the Panthers can’t think about that for long as now they move onto the post-season tournament.
“This one hurts for our seniors and for the kids who had opportunities to do something and help us there,” said George. “Now we’ve got to move on and either win or go home.”
FHS’ seniors took the floor to start the game.
Gatlin Luke opened the scoring with a three-point shot.
Mason Winkle followed with a trey and Sean Galsterer put up the Panthers’ third trifecta to give Fairbanks a 9-4 lead.
West Jeff answered with a pressing defense that allowed its offense to catch up to Fairbanks.
The Panthers, though, to an 11-9 lead after eight minutes.
The game continued with its slow pace as the Rough Riders picked and passed while looking for the open shot.
With the time of possession limited for Fairbanks, the Panthers could only find three successful shots, two from Braylon Green and another trey from Luke.
The seven points were enough for the Panthers to take a slim 18-17 lead into the locker room.
George said the pace of play was expected from the Rough Riders.
“We expected it was going to be a slow-paced game,” he said. “Most of our games have been in the 40’s (scoring), so it is what we are accustomed to.”
Fairbanks shifted its game after the turn, picking up the tempo on offense and switching to a 2-3 zone to try and block the West Jeff shooters in the wings.
The tactic paid off for the Panthers offense as Wyatt Miller, Green and Luke all found buckets for four points apiece.
As a result, FHS held a 30-26 lead going into the final eight minutes of play.
The two sides exchanged the lead back and fourth in the final stanza/
The Rough Riders had a two-point edge (34-32) going into the final 60 seconds of regulation.
Green received a pass in the high post and went up for a jump shot.
He hit the shot and drew a foul. The bucket tied the contest at 34-34, but Green missed his free throw.
West Jefferson took a late 36-34 lead and the Panthers had to foul the Rough Riders to put them at the line.
Galsterer gave Fairbanks a chance with a three-pointer with five seconds, but time ran out on the Panthers.
George said this game came down to a few key mistakes.
“It comes down to some key turnovers late,” he said. “We had a chance to go ahead with a free throw and we missed, but we gave ourselves a chance and that is all you can ask for.”
Fairbanks, which finished the regular season at 11-11, will move on to post-season play against a familiar opponent, Elgin, on Feb. 25.
The Panthers met the Comets in the regular season and lost on a last-second three- pointer.
George said the Panthers’ second meeting will be different.
“That game we started out with a two-point quarter and a good run in the third and fourth and we just came up short in the end,” he said. “We’ve seen what they do and we’ve got some time to prepare for them. I think we have a good shot.”
The game will tip-off at 7 p.m. at Elgin High School.
West Jefferson
Oberle 3-1-9, Book 4-0-8, Jones 3-0-7, Hahn 3-0-6, Byeseler 2-0-5, Hooker 1-0-3
Three-point goal: Oberle 1, Jones 1, Byeseler 1, Hooker 1. Totals 16-1-38.
Fairbanks
Green 5-0-10, Luke 4-0-10, Galsterer 2-0-6, Miller 3-0-6, Winkle 1-0-3, Herbst 1-0-2. Three-point goals: 16-0-37.
Three-point goals: Luke 2, Galsterer 2, Winkle 1