Perfect Panthers crush Jay (12/31/04)

ELWOOD — Now the Patriots know why their sectional rival is undefeated. They saw first-hand.

The Elwood Panthers stayed perfect on the season Thursday night, smothering Jay County by a 52-31 final.

The loss marked the first time the Patriots (9-3) have dropped back-to-back games this season as it followed Tuesday’s defeat at Fort Recovery. Elwood and the Indians are the only two teams to have scored 50 points against Jay County this year.

The 31 points were by far the lowest scoring output for the Patriots this season. Their previous low came with 45 points in the season-opening loss to Fort Wayne South Side.

“We are playing right now with no confidence,” said Jay County coach Kirk Comer, whose team had won nine in a row before this week. “The team we had two weeks ago isn’t the same team now.”

Jay County started out slowly against the Panthers (11-0), falling behind by as many as 12 points before cutting the deficit to eight at the half. It got to within six points early in the second half, but no closer.

Elwood started to figure out the Patriot pressure. It broke through the defense for far too many lay-ups, outscoring the visitors 15-4 in the third quarter.

It also shot 18 more free throws than the Patriots.

Morgan Groover paced the Panthers with 17 points, and Kyleigh Jones added 11.

Jamie Bruggeman was the lone Jay County player in double figures as she finished with 13 points. Sara Garringer added eight points, and Lisa Weitzel added five.

Markie Runyon grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds.

The Patriots have 11 days off before they will try to get back on the winning track. That will be no easy task as they host Huntington North (10-1) Tuesday, Jan. 11.[[In-content Ad]]