Both Starr’s Mill basketball teams are battling hard, preparing themselves for the region tournament. But over the last four games, the teams seem to be headed in opposite directions. 

In the last four games, the boys team is 4-0, including wins over Whitewater and McIntosh on Jan. 15 and 16, respectively. The girls, however, have gone 0-4 in the same stretch.

One of the biggest highlights for the girls came on Jan. 16 vs. McIntosh when junior Jaclyn Hester scored her 1,000th career point. Hester is the fifth player in Starr’s Mill history, joining Katie Wilson, Drew Hudson, Nate Allison, and Alice Anne Hudson. 

“Bringing in the youth league and getting out kids involved in the sport has really pushed us into the next level in regards to our kids preparing and getting ready for the high school level,” athletic director Shane Ratliff said.

Despite this achievement and an excellent game from freshman Brooke Godown, the Lady Panthers lost to the Lady Chiefs 59-55.

“We’ve had a couple of tough games, but the girls are hungry,” interim head coach Thom Conover said. “As soon as they get … a couple of wins we’re gonna be a team that no one wants to play in region, because we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Junior Jaclyn Hester had 20 points in the second ‘Battle of the Bubble’ games. Freshman Brooke Godown matched Hester’s scoring, which included Godown sinking five of her six three-point attempts.

McIntosh’s scoring was balanced throughout the starting five and the bench. Junior Bella Duiser shot 4 of 7 from behind the arc, en route to scoring 14 total points. Freshman Kendall Davis matched Duiser’s points with four baskets and six free throws.

McIntosh started strong in the first quarter carrying a six-point lead into the second. Conover halted play in the first with a timeout to give Hester’s achievement its due moment.

The Panthers tried catching up in the second quarter, but trailed the Lady Chiefs 32-29 at the half.

McIntosh had a strong third quarter solidifying their lead into the fourth quarter, while Godwon scored three three-pointers in an attempt to keep the game close. 

Starr’s Mill fought back with Godown scoring two three-pointers in the fourth quarter in their last attempt to catch up with McIntosh. The Panthers were defeated 59-55.

“I think we’re a team that has a lot of new people, so I think we’re getting it together some, because we haven’t played together too much, because we’re a different team than last year,” Hester said. “Once the playoffs come around, we’re going to improve and get a lot better.”

Last Tuesday at Heritage High School, Starr’s Mill lost 54-45, but got back to winning Friday when they defeated Northside 81-64. The girls travel to Griffin on Jan. 26 to face the region’s top team. 

The boys basketball team has faced the same opponents as the girls. All four games have been wins, including a redemptive victory on Jan. 16 against McIntosh after a double-overtime loss back in December.

“We kind of grinded it out and won tonight,” head coach Josh Reeves said. “We missed a lot of shots … We got into a little bit of a rush, and they did too.”

The points that were scored for the Panthers came mostly from the starting five. Junior Malachi Townsend led the team with 17 points, shooting 6 of 8 from inside the arc. Senior Elliot Baker added 12 points.

McIntosh’s points were spread out among their team but had a strong starting five. Junior Shaun Nichols led the scoring with ten points. Senior Josh Poss made 6 of his 9 shot attempts, scoring 12 points.

“Everyday we’re focusing on new defensive schemes and our press,” Baker said. 

McIntosh came in strong in the first quarter with their offense scoring four three pointers and taking a 22-19 lead into the second quarter. 

Senior Elliot Baker and Junior Malachi Townsend dominated the second quarter putting the Panthers in the lead 37-33 at the half. 

“Our best two scorers are Malachi and Brandon, and probably our best defensive players come off the bench, but really I don’t worry about getting them involved offensively,” Reeves said.

Heading into the third quarter McIntosh’s defense depleted, but the Panthers failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The Panthers scored very little throughout the second half but managed to keep the lead against McIntosh. 

With 2:59 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the gym was silent and the scoreboard was dead, until Malachi’s field goal awoke the crowd.

“I bring to the team the energy,” Townsend said. “My team needs me, so I go and give them the energy they need.”

The Panthers kept their lead through the fourth quarter, defending the Panther Pit with a 54-51 victory.

Starr’s Mill traveled to Heritage and won 69-49, and then played against Northgate this past Friday, winning 81-64. 

After traveling to Griffin on Jan. 26, Starr’s Mill hosts Northgate on Jan. 29. The Friday night game will be senior night for both squads.