The first game of districts for the Birch Run boys was an exciting win in double overtime over Caro 76-70!  It was an all-out effort from the Panthers, who grabbed 42 rebounds in the contest, out-rebounding Caro by 12.  Both teams came out strong with Birch Run having the edge at the end of the first quarter 15-11, but Caro out-scored us in the second quarter 23-8, bringing the halftime score to 23-34 in favor of the Tigers. The third quarter finished with a 39-51 score (Birch Run having a 12 point deficit). However, the Panthers fought hard to come back in an outstanding effort to out-score Caro in the fourth quarter 21-9 to take the game into overtime @ 60 all. Each team scored 8 points in the first period of overtime (ending in a 68-68 tie)  to take us into a second overtime, where we once again clawed out an edge scoring 8 points compared to Caro's 2 points in the final overtime period- giving the Panthers a much deserved 76-70 win! 

Several players stepped up their game to contribute to the effort and secure the win. Our rebounding, free-throw shooting, defense, determination, and team play were all key to the victory! Jaxon Martinus led the Panthers with 29 points and had a team-high 7 assists. Gage Martinus had a double-double, scoring 16 points and snaring 13 rebounds for the night. Mason Mellott was also in double figures with 11 points. Connor Mausolf had an all-around solid game- scoring 9 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, had 5 steals and 2 deflections! Keegan Hale also put out a balanced attack and finished with 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 8 deflections, and 1 block! I am very proud of the team, their persistence and efforts- they didn't give up and their hard work paid off.  We will face Bridgeport on Friday @ 7:00 in Caro for the district championship!

Jaxon Martinus- 29 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl, 4 defl

Gage Martinus- 16 pts, 13 reb, 4 ast, 1 defl, 1 blk

Mason Mellott- 11 pts, 5 reb, 1 stl

Connor Mausolf- 9 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 5 stl, 2 defl

Keegan Hale- 6 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 5 stl, 8 defl, 1 blk

Chase Stewart- 2 pts, 3 reb

Trent Dalak- 2 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl

Christian Stebner- 1 pt, 1 reb

Nolan Cherry- 1 ast, 2 defl