The Starr’s Mill boys varsity basketball team came out on top last Friday in a one-point win over Whitewater, 49-48. 

“What we put a big emphasis on this time was our defense,” head coach Reeves said.

The last time these two teams played, Whitewater defeated Starr’s Mill by 15 points.

Sophomore Scott Stevens ended the game with 21 points. Senior Cade Daniel was second in that regard with a total of 10 points. The leading scorer for Whitewater was Braeden Ofosu with 16 points. Barron Ofosu followed with 11 points of his own.

Whitewater dominated the first quarter, leading 15-4. This deficit was overcome in the second quarter when Starr’s Mill started making more shots, ending the quarter at 17-15 in favor of Starr’s Mill. 

“I think we started playing with more confidence, we started hitting more shots, and we just fed off each other,” Stevens said.

The lead extended in the third quarter, courtesy of Stevens scoring 12 points. Starr’s Mill led 38-29 after three quarters of play. 

A full court press by Whitewater slowed the pace to begin the final quarter. The Wildcats slowly chipped away at the lead.

The Panthers overcame a slow start and a great back-and-forth battle throughout the fourth quarter. Whitewater missed the game’s final shot at the buzzer as Starr’s Mill won 49-48. 

“We played great offensively from the second quarter on,” Daniel said. “We all scored, had good looks, had good shots, [and] we just started hitting them.”

The win helped the Panthers move into the region’s fourth spot. Whitewater fell to the sixth spot. Both teams finished region play at 7-7 overall. 

Starr’s Mill plays Trinity tonight. A win guarantees the Panthers a spot in the state playoffs.