It was Panthers times two on Friday as both Knoxville Basketball Squads won on their home openers over Cardinal with the girls pulling out a hard fought 43-38 win, while the boys completely dominated the Comets 90-32 heard live on kniakrls.com KNIA3. The boys game was never in doubt as Knoxville scored 24 of the game’s first 26 points to post a 29-4 lead after one quarter and put up 60 by halftime and cruised the rest of the way with running clock. The Panthers caused havoc all night forcing the Comets into 27 turnovers and out rebounded Cardinal 26-9. Coach Joel Keady told KNIA/KRLS Sports after nearly three weeks of practice and a couple of scrimmages, his team was ready to show the fans what they were all about.

Keady: “Being in front of parents, fans and community members and all of the youth, who are still shooting around. It helps build excitement for the team this year.”

Landon Norris scored 22 points to lead Knoxville to pace three Panthers in double figures with Kaiden Smith scoring 15 points and Lincoln Norris with ten. The girls trailed early but grabbed the lead 36-29 in the 4th quarter only to see Cardinal tie it at 36, but the Panthers closed the game on a 7-2 run to get their first win of the season. Hannah Dunkin scored 24 points, a season high and Addi Williams scored her first career double figure game with ten. Knoxville is now 1-2, while the boys are 1-0…both teams are 1-0 in South Central Conference action with a game against Clarke on Tuesday.

Photo from Ryan Northcote