After a disappointing 2013-2014 season, the Panthers want to bounce back and get back to the playoffs, a position they were in two years ago. Seven games in, the Panthers don’t look like a playoff contender. Yet.

The Panthers boys’ basketball team went 2-5 to begin the young season. In losses to Drew and McIntosh, arguably the two best teams in Region AAAAA, the team struggled shooting the basketball, with an average of 33 percent  from the field. To go along with the poor shooting, the team is struggling to score in certain quarters, particularly the third quarter with an average of  9.7 points.

“We are having a hard time scoring consistently,” head basketball coach Brandon Hutchins said. “I don’t think it’s time to hit the panic button, but we need to find consistent scoring.”

When the team struggles in certain quarters, their opponent seems to capitalize on the Panthers’ shooting woes and run away with the game. This was evident when the team traveled to McIntosh  where the Panthers lost 69-55. True to their average, the Panthers scored a total of nine points in the third quarter.

However, this was not the sole reason the team lost this game. McIntosh junior guard Jordan Lyons totaled 32 points, 22 coming in the second quarter.

“We were with them most of the game,” Hutchins said. “We kept up for two quarters and then Lyons got hot. He’s a really good player and there was nothing we could do about it.”

This isn’t the first time Lyons has lit up the scoreboard or made a big play against the Panthers. He had a 3-pointer from near mid-court to beat the Panthers a year ago and also had a highlight reel dunk in the first meeting last year between the teams.

“When he gets hot, there’s nothing you can do about it,” senior center Adam Goodman said.

One of the high notes for the Panthers was senior forward Cedric Simmons, who had 16 points to go with his six rebounds and three assists. This was one of Simmons most stat-filled game so far this season.

“He’s been a consistent player since he started last year,” Hutchins said. “He’s only gotten better as the years go by.”

After the McIntosh game, the team picked up their second win of the season, beating Morrow at home 49-29. However, they lost their next two contests to Whitewater and Morrow on the road. Hutchins said he believes that his team can still contend in the region despite the early losses.

“I think this team is better than what the record says,” Hutchins said. “There are a few things we need to work on to improve, and scoring is one of them.”

The Panthers hope to rebound today in their first game of the two-day War Eagle Classic at Woodward Academy. The boys face Westminster at 3:30 and Decatur at 11 a.m. tomorrow.