BASKETBALL: PANTHERS' U16 boys went down by 15 points at The Hub on Sunday to a Wildcats side level with them in the Northern Conference before the game.
Wear Valley started strongest and opened up an early 10-2 gap, thanks to a downtown double from point guard L Harrison.
With four minutes left in the first quarter, the hosts began to find some rhythm and closed the gap to 16-11, but then allowed the visitors to score eight unanswered points while missing five penalty shots of their own. They trailed 26-17 at the end of the period.
Panthers took the initiative in the second quarter and reduced the difference with some attacking basketball.
Pitt and Smith began to find cracks in the Wildcat defence, bagging eight and six points respectively, and mid-way through the quarter the difference had shrunk to five points.
The visitors called a time out to readjust and enjoyed a three-minute purple patch, netting four three-pointers. The lead had grown to 52-40 at the break.
Panthers dominated proceedings in the third, with only 6ft 8in forward Chris Stamp productive for the visitors.
But the final quarter belonged to the visitors, who took it 22-15. Panthers' scorers: A Pitt (17), M Smith, M Lloyd (both 16), M Kemp (12), L Burton (5), P Kelly (4), M Coleman (2). PANTHERS' junior women recorded a 91-84 win on Sunday as they defeated Northumbria Tyne & Wear at Temple Park Leisure Centre.
The visitors built up an early lead and led 24-12 at the close of the first quarter.
In the second period, coach Jim McGinn was able to rotate some of his younger players into the action and still forge a 50-34 margin by the break.
The hosts replied strongly in the final period but Panthers held out.
Panthers' scorers: Johannah Leedham (34), Jennifer Leedham (27), Kim Jones (10), Nicole Clark (6), Kirsty Leedham (5), Alex Lee (4), Lucy Edwards (3), Emma Lacey (2).
