What started as an average season for the Panther basketball team has turned into something special. A team that had gone roughly .500 heading into Jan. turned it up a notch and won 13 straight games before losing to the number one team in the regional tournament. If that is not a turnaround, then what is?

As the season progressed, the team slowly but surely began to link up with one another. What lacked at the beginning of the season finally came to be: communication.

“We came together and started playing as a team,” said senior Alex Nemer.

Other fundamentals came as communication increased.

“We’re passing the ball better, we’re playing more at the pace we need to play,” said sophomore Ian Anderson.

The team has managed to overcome nearly every obstacle they’ve faced them in 2017. Whether it be a mediocre performance in 2016 or a 16-point deficit against Patrick Henry in the Regional quarterfinal to win 63-62, the Panthers have continued to persevere through the rough.

The game at Patrick Henry was one of the biggest tests for the boys so far this year. Down 16, the team struggled to get anything going. But senior Brian Sweeney made a clutch and-1 that helped give the team some momentum; however, the team did not always feel like they had the game in hand.

“It really hit me at halftime against Patrick Henry. We have a few more games left and I’m approaching every one like it could be my last in that uniform,” said senior Christian Sweazie.

But this is where the team’s streak came to an end.

The next game, the Panthers surrendered a 15-point lead to Potomac to lose 50-43. In the following consolation game against Wakefield, the team lost again, this time by 16 points.The team now heads into the state tournament knowing they are capable, but with their confidence potentially in question. The upcoming game is against LC Bird, the number one seed in the South region. The Panthers nearly beat Potomac, the North region number 1 seed, so their rank doesn’t scare them the least. What may scare the Panthers is their slump since the second half of the regional semifinal.

“I pretty confident that we can hang with anybody,” said sophomore and second-year varsity player Ian Anderson.

 Clearly these seniors are making a lasting impact on the program.

“I’ve learned a lot [from the seniors]. I’ve grown as a person, as a basketball player, and a leader,” said Anderson.

Regardless of whether the team wins the championship, the seniors have left a lasting impact on the team.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to [potentially] make some history here at Potomac Falls,” said Nemer.

The Panthers play in the first round of the state tournament against LC Bird on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Hampton University.

The game will be livestreamed at: http://mvp.gamedaymagazine.com/ for those who cannot attend the game.