By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boy’s basketball team hosted McComb for a late afternoon Blanchard Valley Conference game on January 10. P-G flew out to an early lead, and then had to fend off the Panthers for a 48-36 win.

In the opening stanza, the Rockets took control with an 11-4 advantage. McComb (1-10, 0-5 BVC) battled back and tied the game at fourteen midway through the second quarter; as P-G led just 19-16 at halftime.

P-G slowly stretched the lead throughout the second half, and lead 34-27 entering the final eight minutes.  The Rockets knocked down 8 free throws in the final quarter to secure the win.

The P-G duo of Lane Lee and Cam Verhoff led the offensive charge with Lee pouring in a game high 19. Verhoff tallied 12 points over the final three periods.  Cory Gerten swished two 3-pointers, Adam Buell chipped in 4 points, and Chase Meyer added 3.  The P-G scoring was closed out by Grady Kempf and Jack Buell who each hit one shot from the floor for 2 points each.

P-G also won the JV game comfortably.

Looking ahead, P-G (6-5, 4-1 BVC, 0-2 PCL) will travel to Ottoville (9-4, 0-0 PCL) on January 11 for a Putnam County League battle.