(Chris Blose and Panama fell short in the NYSPHAA Class D State Semifinals / Photo by Harry Scull)
Moriah 62, Panama 59
Josh Odell scored a game-high 26 points for the Panthers and shot 6 of 13 from behind the arc in the process. Panama built a double-digit lead before halftime and held it through the entire third quarter. A traditional three-point play from Josh Eddy to start the fourth quarter gave Panama a 16-point lead, 55-39, matching its largest lead in the game.
However, Moriah, who entered the game with a perfect 25-0 record, wasn't ready to see its season end and finally mounted a run -- one of epic proportions. After trailing by double figures for 15 minutes, the Vikings finished the game on a 23-4 run, scoring the last 16 points unanswered, and holding Panama scoreless for the last five minutes. Taylor Slattery scored 15 of his team-high 24 points in the second half for Moriah, while Adam Jaquish added 10 second half points.
Moriah advances to the NYSPHAA Class D Championship game, where they will face Oriskany on Saturday night at 5:30 pm.
"It wasn't meant to be," said Panama coach Ed Nelson. "I thought we got worn out a little bit towards the end, it looked there was a lid on the rim - we had our opportunities to get it done."
Chris Blose scored 16 points to go with 10 rebounds for Panama, while Josh Eddy hauled in a game-high 19 boards.
Despite coming up short, Nelson was proud of his team's effort not only is its final game, but all season long.
"I told them hard work doesn't always guarantee success," said Nelson. "These kids busted their butt all year long I think they can go to sleep tonight and not wonder what if."
Point Totals
Panama: Josh Odell 26, Chris Blose 16, Jack Payne 7, Josh Eddy 7, Jarett Yuchnitz 3
Moriah: Taylor Slattery 24, Adam Jaquish 14, Joey Stahl 9, Dylan Trombley 8, Todd Clarke 4, Jarrod MacDougal 3
-centercourt
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