Coming into last Friday night’s Mid-Valley League contest, the Maxwell varsity girls’ basketball team had been winless in eight tries, but perseverance paid off, as it held off the short-handed Yellowjackets in the final minute to emerge with a 36-33 victory, its first of the season.
A three-point basket by Williams’s Ashley Garcia put the ‘Jackets ahead 27-25 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Panthers fought back to take a 34-33 lead with 1:34 remaining.
Although the Yellowjackets had chances to regain the lead in the frantic final stretch, Emma Hendrix slammed the door shut, hitting two free throws to extend the Panthers’ advantage, and then grabbing the rebound after the three point attempt by Williams rimmed out.
Fatima Cano led the Panthers with 15 points, while Hendrix pitched in with 10 points.
For the Yellowjackets, who ran out of gas at the end given that they suited just six players, Mia Rivera finished with 10 points and Brianna Jaime added seven points.
This week Maxwell (1-8, 1-1) was in Chico to play CORE Butte on Tuesday and heads to Biggs on Friday, while Williams (1-8, 0-1) travelled to Hamilton City on January 17 and to CORE Butte on January 20. ■
