By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Prior to the Gaston girls basketball game against Spring Garden last Tuesday (Nov. 27), GHS head coach Tonya Bogle noted that it would be a game between two very young teams.
If this was the case, it appears both teams are maturing at a fast pace.
The Lady Panthers ended up edging the host Lady Bulldogs, 43-41.
With 20 seconds remaining and the game tied at 41, Spring Garden’s Haley Motes sank the back end of a pair of free throws. Madison Sides then iced the game with a free throw with .08 remaining.
The visitors from Cherokee County took a 10-5 lead after the first quarter, and the game was knotted 18-18 at the half.
Gaston (0-4) eventually took a 30-22 lead into the fourth quarter and appeared headed for its first victory of the young season.
But Haley Motes, who led all scorers with 21 points, got the hot hand late in scoring 11 points down the stretch to lead the Panther comeback.
Kierra Porter paced Gaston with 12 points.
Bogle sees her young squad improving as the season progresses.
“We had an opportunity to win, but we’re young. We’ve played some larger schools, and this will help us down the stretch run.”