By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
SPRING GARDEN – Monday was basketball senior night at Spring Garden, but it meant so much more than that.
Against Cedar Bluff, the Lady Panthers were seeking their sixth straight undefeated regular season at Dale Welsh Gymnasium. The last time they lost on Ricky Austin Court was in 2019 against Sand Rock.
Behind senior point guard and University of Alabama signee Ace Austin’s 32 points, the top-ranked Lady Panthers made sure that streak stayed intact with a decisive 78-35 victory to improve to 29-1.
Meanwhile, the top-ranked Panther boys had a little streak of their own to keep going. A win over the Tigers would clinch an undefeated 27-0 regular season.
Behind senior forward John Welsh’s 33 points, including five treys and seven rebounds, Spring Garden posted a 73-47 win to secure its spot in Panther hoops history.
“We may argue and butt heads some, but that’s just the competitiveness we have,” Austin said of the relationship between the Panther girls and boys. “We’re there for each other, supporting each other. We’re all family around here. We’re hoping the rest of the year, our combined losses is only one. We don’t want to lose again.”
Welsh said the Panthers are “doing it for all the people (at Spring Garden) who played before us.”
“It’s great that we’re the first (boys) team to do it, but we wouldn’t be doing this without the people before us, helping us grow each day to get us better,” he said. “They want this for us. They’re loving this. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be where we are. We’re doing it for them and we’re going to keep rolling.”
Both the Lady Panthers and Panthers were certainly rolling on Monday night.
In the girls game, the Lady Panthers sank 15 3-pointers, led by Austin’s six treys. She also contributed nine rebounds, seven assists, five steals and three blocks. Maggie Jarrett delivered 20 points, including three treys, along with four rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.
Kristen Lewis, Olivia Law and Avery Steward each scored six points. Lewis and Steward’s points came on a pair of 3-pointers apiece. Law also added six boards, five steals, two assists and two blocks. Montana Highfield finished with five points, two rebounds and an assist.
Kylie Vadon led Cedar Bluff with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a block. Caley Bruce contributed 11 points and six rebounds.
Behind nine 3-pointers in the first half, the Lady Panthers pounced out to a 33-6 lead in the first quarter and took a 46-19 advantage at halftime. Spring Garden held a 70-27 edge after three quarters.
In the boys game, Jake Welsh rang for 17 points and grabbed nine boards. Noah Barber connected on three treys and had 13 points. Jaylen Brown finished with six points.
Kuper Bradley topped the Tigers with 12 points. Shon Gleen added nine points. Isaac Bishop came away with seven points. Kolwyn Morrison and Zach Jones both finished with five points.
Spring Garden held a 20-18 lead after one, but then extended its lead to 39-25 at halftime. The Panthers built a 55-36 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
With history made on Monday night, as far as the Panthers are concerned, it’s just that – history. Their postseason goals now lie in front of them, beginning with the Class 1A, Area 12 tournament on Saturday.
“I went in the locker room tonight and asked them ‘What’s our record?’ Immediately they said ‘0-0’” Lady Panther coach Ricky Austin said. “They’ve already flipped their minds. It’s over (regular season). Seven more games. I think they’re really excited about the playoffs. Once we start back Saturday, it’s a long haul if you keep winning.
“We’re not going to overlook anybody. We know 1A has some really good teams in it. Getting our of our region is going to be really tough.”
Spring Garden boys coach Levi Hatcher echoed what Coach Austin said.
“After tonight, our mind shifts from being undefeated to being 0-0,” Hatcher said. “We know what’s at hand. We’ve got some good teams coming up. From this point forward every team is a great team. Any night anybody can beat anybody. We’re going to enjoy tonight and a little tomorrow, but then we’ll refocus and start getting ready for the area tournament. We’ll game plan it and go from there.”
