Just perfect for Panthers

Fort Knox Panthers made history on Saturday night when they became the first team to come from behind to force Game 3 and win the CellOne Elite City League at Somersfield Academy.

In beating Robin Hood Warriors 54-42 they also won their first league title, sparking scenes of celebration on court.

The final game in the series saw the Panthers get off to a slow start, going down by 11 in the first two minutes. It prompted a time out, which started a 15 to four run to tie the game at 17s. 

The Panthers then went into the lead for the first time thanks to some fiery play from Kevin Stevens.

The second half saw the emergence of both Jason Lowe, for the Warriors, and Ronnie Bushner of the Panthers, with both players going shot for shot.

In the end, though, there could be only winner. And it was the Panthers, who with their second win in a row, secured glory and a place in this burgeoning league’s history.

Warriors, despite a game high from Lowe, had no answer as Bushner’s 16 saw the Panthers home.

The Bermuda Basketball Association’s vice president Cecil Hendrickson reflected on a hugely successful season.

He said: “The story is a tale of two new rival teams giving everything they had to achieve the prize.

“The Panthers finally end three years of high hopes with disappointing end results, realizing the potential laid on them by national coach Spenser’s first year grades and on the other side, the Warriors were left wondering if the loyalty paid off.

“In the end the real winners, if asked, would be the fans who watched the entire series and the true losers are those who missed out on the end of a truly epic and historic season in basketball.”