By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boy’s basketball team hosted a tough non-conference match-up on December 27 against the undefeated Patrick Henry Patriots. The Rockets started fast, jumping ahead 7-2 early in quarter number one. The Patriots settled in and led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter. From there, the Patriots never looked back and P-G fell by a final of 66-41.

The middle two quarters proved to be where most of the damage was done, as the Rockets were outscored 44-16. The one-point first quarter deficit grew to twenty-nine; P-G was down 55-26 entering the final eight minutes. 

With younger players able to gain valuable varsity experience in the fourth quarter, the Rockets bench players put a dent in the deficit as they outscored Patrick Henry (6-0) 15-11 in the final stanza.

Lane Lee and Cory Gerten scored in double digits for the Rockets, as Lee led the way with 14 points, and Gerten knocked down four 3-pointers to finish the night with 12 points. Matthew Benroth and Grady Kempf both came off the bench to hit fourth quarter 3-pointers; Benroth’s three were his first varsity points. Matt Maag, Adam Buell and Jack Buell each hit one shot from the floor for 2 points apiece.

Patrick Henry also won the JV game, 39-15.

1 2 3 4 F

P-G 10 13 03 15 41

P-H 11 25 19 11 66

P-G (4-3, 2-1 BVC, 0-0 PCL) will be on the road Decebmer 28, traveling to Kalida (4-4) for their first Putnam County League match-up of the season.