The Euclid Panther boys basketball season kicked off last night as we traveled to Maple Heights.  The Panthers were in the game the whole way but ran out of steam down the stretch, eventually falling to the Mustangs by a final score of 58-69.

Euclid started strong in the opening quarter with senior Jaden Wanton scoring immediately off of the tip and then following it up with a three pointer on the Panthers' next possession, giving Euclid a quick 5-0 start.  Junior guard Clayton Cunningham continued the hot start for the Panthers, hitting two three pointers in the opening frame on his way to 8 first quarter points. Michael Patterson added a couple buckets of his own and after the first period concluded the Panthers were out to a 17-9 advantage.

Maple Heights began to wake up in the second quarter behind Dave Miller and Davian Bush who each scored 8 points in the quarter.  The Panthers fell into a stretch of turnovers in the quarter that led to baskets for Maple Heights.  Cunningham kept the Panthers at even pace, draining three more from beyond the arc in the second period.  At the half, the score was all tied at 31-31.

Maple did not cool off after halftime.  They continued their hot shooting night by outdoing their second quarter total and poured in 26 points in the third quarter behind a 12 point frame by Miller.  The Panthers tried to keep pace with the heating up Mustangs in the third quarter as Wanton and Cunningham each buried another triple and senior Cam Smith added a bucket. After the end of three periods, Euclid trailed Maple 44-57.

Euclid rebounded in the fourth quarter and fought back into the game bringing the lead to single digits on multiple occasions.  Some timely baskets by the Mustangs were able to keep the Panthers just far enough away to a final score of 58-69.  Tre'Vaughn Saddler and Wanton each made a three pointer in the final frame, while Korey Hollins attacked the rim and got to the free throw line multiple times.  

Euclid was led by Clayton Cunningham with 22 points including six three pointers. He was followed up by Jaden Wanton with 18 points. 

The Panthers (0-1) return to the court on Friday January 15th as they travel to Brunswick to open GCC play.

The Panther JV team opened their season with a win 42-37 over Maple. The Freshman team also earned a victory by a score of 40-34.