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TORONTO (AP) -- Panthers Start Slow but Flex Defensive Muscle in 2nd Half

Herman Kearns believes the Lawrence Park Panthers are built to win games like this. That's because they've got a little more mentally tough.

Kearns scored 20 points to match the 20 by Lawrence Pickens, and Pierre-Charles Jutras added 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Lawrence Park Panthers beat the Kingston Beginners 94-58 Tuesday night.

After capturing Canada's Naismith division last season, the Panthers have vowed to make good on their B3 appearance. Boasting 4 Canadian national team talents, they are not to be taken lightly.

"We'll fight through any adversity we face," Jutras said. "We are a tight group and you're going to have to play 48 unbelievable minutes to beat us."

After a tense first half, they made the win look easy by the final horn. Only a Terrell Lachance dunk prevented a first quarter deficit and a struggling Thomas Simmons' only jumper of the half staked them to a four point advantage at the break.

"The Beginners were um, beginning to worry us a little bit there," manager Mr. Burns stated. "A couple guys were perhaps a little hung over, and needed to run up and down the floor a few dozen times to shake it off."

Kearns knocked down a quick three to open the 3rd quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Kingston peppered the rim with an abundance of inside shots but could not get them to fall. After 36 minutes the lead had ballooned to 20.

Another 7-2 run for the home side to begin the 4th all but decided the game, and the fans began buying beer in bunches to celebrate. The players certainly noticed.

Said Kearns, "Got to give it to our crowd tonight. All the drinking they must have done for New Year's wasn't enough and they kept going tonight. We tip our hats to them, even though we don't wear hats on the court. I mean our hats afterwards. For the streets. You know?"

Árpád Für tried to keep the Jamaican squad close, with totals of 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. The rest of the team couldn't get it done, shooting a combined 17 for 75.

"We wasted a great first half man! The second half we were out-muscled man! At least the Olympics are coming up and we can again compete in the bobsled man!" Für said.

NOTES: The first 1000 fans received Sex Panther cologne, with Brian Fantana at the gate to personally hand them out. "60% of the time, it works every time, just like Mr. Burn's gameplan," Fantana quipped. ... The parade outside was not for the Panthers home opener, nor for a Leafs' Stanley Cup win, but just for a Winter Classic Victory earlier in the day. ... Beginners SF Lukas Manzke shot a horrific 1-for-15. The team returned to Jamaica on a team charter while he was forced to navigate Toronto's Pierson Airport and organize a coach ticket back for himself.

Last edited by Kumiko (CAN U21) at 1/1/2014 11:14:11 PM

Manager Mr. Burns was happy about the overall result vs the Kingston Beginners but not without a few concerns.

"The guys looked alittle tight out there in the first half but they turned up the intensity in the second. I'm not sure if it was because this was the franchises first ever B3 game, been played in from of the home town fans, or because there was no team curfew set by our head coach. The guys had a great end of the year with a Naismith Championship and hopefully have all there celebratory activities over with. It's a brand new year and it's time to get back to business as usual."

Guillame Beaulac had an interesting take on how the team turned the tide in the second half. "Hey! I don't member the last time I was on camera but I member me saying to my guys you guys have to play better because I don't play and I remember when I use to and we would win all the time not like you rookie drinkers. Everyone can't drink like me I'm so old but we won a championship so we drink and we won."

Beaulac also was questioned about the possibility of Lucky Fans hand him drinks as he sat at the end of the bench for his first ever B3 game. Beaulac's only response "No Question!" was followed by a hasty retreat to the showers ending the interview abruptly.

Amongst a few of the veteran players just shaking there heads one in particular made a quick comment. "I've never been at a new years bash like the one Beau threw. Like the guy makes 2k a year and he must've spent like 10 times that much last night." The player and the location wished to remain anonymous.

Tough loss against Metallist Kharkov man. I wonder what would have happened if you went with an inside offense.

I wonder what would have ahppened if you went with 2-3. Mettalist is insanely strong and on away game only going all in (GDP+ 2-3 can give any chance)

Well I got real close in the game as each of the first three quarters both teams scored an equal amount of points per quarter. Thomas Simmons sustained an injury early in third quarter which was a huge loss. Herman Kearns fouled out early in the 4th quarter with Romeo Lavigne fouling out late. The Simmons injury really didn't help as Kearns and Lavigne were not subbed out as they normally would've and they started to commit more fouls.

As per playing a LI offense instead of a Motion offense. Tough to tell what would've been better even after the game. Even a patient offense might've been alright. I don't really mind that I played a Motion against there M2M defense.

As per playing a 2-3 defense instead of a M2M defense. Watching the game a lot of the fouls that were commited were by my guards when there guards would drive to basket. A 2-3 defense could've been the right call.

Between a LI or a 2-3 defense I would've like to see how a 2-3 defense would've played out. Overall, with the Simmons injury, I don't think my starters would've had enough juice in the 4th quarter to have won the game at any rate.

It is only one loss and hopefully my only loss until the knockout stages.

I didn't know he was that good. In retrospect, 2-3 would've been better (easy to say that after a loss). Not having an injury and 2 foul outs would've been nice too.

Kharkov's stamina must be jacked to be that good with 6 players.

My knockout game in the B3 tournament is in around 4mins. If anyone would like to watch and chat about the game or whatever I'll be in the chat forum during the game.

Huge win today. Congrats Mr. Burns!

12:00 PM game. Boo.

I'll be watching the game live at Noon EST if anyone is interested in joining the in game chat forum.