Pine Prairie pulls out nail biter over Northwest

The Pine Prairie Panthers hosted the Northwest Raiders Friday night. The Panthers would use a full team effort and every second of the clock to pull off a win over Northwest Raiders with a final score of 61-60.
Pine Prairie would start fast with a quick basket by Sylus Carson. Northwest would answer by scoring six straight points, giving the Raiders a 6-2 lead with 5:13 remaining in the first period. The Panther’s Douglas Fontenot got hot from outside, nailing three three-pointers from the corner. Pine Prairie’s defense caused Northwest misery the rest of the period. A steal by Josh Freeman would lead to Carson getting an easy lay-up and one. The Panthers led 12-19.
The second period saw two great defenses going head-to-head. Carson started the scoring again with a two-point basket. Northwest knocked in a quick two points then stole the inbound pass and scored again.
With 6:01 to play in the period, Pine led 26-16. The Raiders closed the gap by making two three-pointers. Carson pulled down another offensive rebound leading to a basket. Pine Prairie went into halftime with a 29-25 lead.
The third period went back and forth, as the lead would change several times. Northwest started the scoring with a lay-up. The Raiders began pressing the Panthers, causing a turnover and another easy basket. With 6:11 left to play, the game would be tied at 29-29.
Both teams then traded baskets. A Panther technical foul gave Northwest the momentum and the lead, 37-34, with 1:50 remaining in the third period. Pine Prairie came together in the last minute with Dustin Ardoin making two free throws. Pine Prairie’s Freeman would nail a jump shot at the end of the third period, closing the score to 41-40.
The forth period saw great defensive play by both teams. Freeman started the scoring in the period. With the game tied at 41-41, Northwest drove inside for two points giving them a two-point lead. Pine Prairie answered when Fontenot drained another three-point attempt, giving the Panthers a 44-43 lead with 4:45 remaining.
Both teams traded baskets again before the Raiders would come up with a huge turnover and go on a six-point run. With two minutes to play, Northwest led 55-49. Pine Prairie’s defense picked it up to a new level, forcing two turnovers. Freeman and Allen Myles both scored off of turnovers, making the score 55-53 in favor of Northwest.
The Panthers got the ball right back and that is when Freeman would nail a three-pointer from the corner, giving Pine a 55-56 lead with 46 seconds remaining. The Raiders were forced to foul the Panthers, who were in the bonus. Freeman made both free throws, giving the Panthers a 55-59 lead with 39 seconds.
Northwest would answer by making a three-point attempt. After a Northwest foul, Freeman made another free throw. Pine Prairie now led 58-60 with 24 seconds remaining. The Raiders converted an easy lay-up, making the score 60-60 with seven seconds to go. A foul put Carson on the line, who would miss his first free throw. He nailed his second attempt, giving the Panthers a 61-60 lead. Northwest tried to win the game, but Javon Ardoin blocked the shot setting off a loud roar from the Panther fans.
With the win, Pine Prairie is now 3-0 in district play. The Panthers were led on offense by Josh Freeman with 18 points and Sylus Carson chipped in 15 points. Also, Douglas Fontenot finished with 14 points.
After the game, the Panther’s head coach praised both teams for their great effort, especially on the offensive side of the ball.