Pantherettes State

Pantherettes headed for a 3 Peat of State Championship after 80-57 win over San Antonio Wagoner

After a sweeping performance in the Regional tournament with wins by 20 points or more in each game the Pantherettes felt pressure for the first time in the State Semi-finals against San Antonio Wagoner but came away with a 80-57.

“We kept our composer to the end. The harder they came at us the harder we came back,” senior Tiara Davenport said. “We had to step up our defense and keep our energy high to the end.”

The Pantherettes will take a 105 win streak into tonights matchup against Manvil for a shot at their third straight state title. Coach Cathy Self-Morgan said they will have to play their top game tonight against Manvil.

“They feel like they got cheated when we beat them in the Pasedena tournament earlier in the season,” Self-Morgan said. “So they will come out wanting to be the first to defeat us.”

Although the Pantherettes will enter tonight’s game with one of the longest winning streaks in a while, they say there is one goal going into the final game.

“You have to to be hungry every game,” senior Ariel Atkins said. “Every game you have to be willing to win. Any given day somebody from nowhere can beat you.”

Senior Ariel Atkins and Tasia Foman have been on the last two State Championship teams and are looking for the third tonight. Coach Self-Morgan admits they are a key to the winning.

“These girls are outstanding,” Self-Morgan said. “I just do not want it to end. I have them for one more game and I want to make the best of it.”

For Atkins and Foman it is about being together as high school players one more time.

“We are just enjoying the moments of being together in high school right now,” Foman said. “We want to play earlier tonight but we are just going to enjoy these moments and make the most of it.”

Catch us live right here for State Semi Finals game against San Antonio Wagoner

Panhterettes receive crowd ovation at Sendoff event

Pantherettes ride 104 game winning streak to Austin for chance at Three Peat
By Jenine Hamed, Sports Editor

Today the Pantherettes are heading back to Austin to compete in the State tournament for the third year in a row. They are headed there riding a 104-0 record and with the senior duo of Tasia Foman and Ariel Atkins who been with the Panterettes since the first state win in the 2011-12 season. Atkins and Foman, who both are highly ranked players according to ESPN will head into Austin this weekend in hopes of bringing home yet another trophy.

“I’m always extremely excited to go to state each year” Atkins said. “I love playing with my team and hopefully we can bring home a trophy for my senior year.”

The seniors on this team play a key role in motivating the younger players who have never been to the Championship game. One of their jobs will be to show the younger generation how to perform in such a big game.

“The young ones that have never been will have to get over ‘the deer in the headlights’ look and relax and play,” Panhterettte head coach Self-Morgan said. “The seniors will need to take the bricks off their shoulders and have fun and just play that Pantherette ball!”

Self-Morgan is quite familiar with the state atmosphere since she been there multiple times before. This is her fourth time with Duncanville and she also led Westlake to 3 state championships in a 22 year stand there. One of those came over Duncanville in 1996. Duncanville later hired her and here she is in her 35th year of coaching looking to lead the Panterettes to their third straight title and 8th overall title.

“I am thrilled and excited to extend our season to the last day you can practice and play games,” Self-Morgan said. “I love these kids. I just don’t want it to end.”

There has been a lot of hard work and practice put into this season so the girls are hoping to come home victorious. Self-Morgan these girls practice and play with high energy every game that they’ve encountered this season. Unfortunately this season is coming to an end this weekend as play to go big or go home.

“I’m sad to think about this being the end of our season.” Self-Morgan said. “I do not want it to end!!”

Pantherettes defeat L.D. Bell 70-29 in Region 1 Final, earn third straight State Berth
Photos by Karla Estrada and Olivia Davila

VIDEO:The Pantheretes took on LD Bell and defeated them for a chance to advance to State for a third straight year. Cody Rogers was on hand to record the game and Candace Lockhart produced the game.

Photos: Pantherettes defeat Arlington Bowie 76-32 in Region 1 Semifinals game
Photos by Olivia Davila

Photos: Pantherettes defeat South Grand Prairie 70-34 to advance to Region I tournament
The below photos are taken by Leenolia Robinson

Photos:Pantherettes defeat Irving MacArthur 52-29 in Second Round playoff game
The below photos by Leenolia Robinson and Olivia Davila

VIDEO:This is video footage from the Duncanville Pantherettes second round playoff win against Irving MacArthur. They defeated the Cardinals to move on to play SGP again. 52-29. The video was shot by Cody Rogers and edited by Candace Lockhart.

Photos: Varsity Girls Basketball defeat Killeen Harker Heights 83-31 in first round of 2014 playoffs go 100 wins straight

Pantherettes remain humble on verge of 100 straight wins

This year the Pantherettes have given the home crowd some thrillers winning games by 30 or more and very few by less than 20. The arena they play in week after week is named by the Legendary Sandra Meadows who coached for Duncanville 25 years, recording an amazing 743-120 record. She is one of the most successful basketball coaches of all time. She also lead the Pantherettes to four state titles, including three consecutive titles and the last 134 game winning streak.

Coach Cathy Self-Morgan is on pace to catch Meadows’ record of 134 straight wins as her and the Pantherettes enter tonight’s first playoff game looking for win number 100 straight. After defeating No. 2 Manvel, No. 3 Flower Mound Marcus, No. 4 Arlington Bowie, No. 5 Galena Park North Shore and No. 7 Southlake Carroll this year, the Pantherettes find themselves only seven wins away from recording the third straight title.

Coach Self-Morgan said she has been blessed with great basketball players during her career with the Pantherettes. She has been successful on the court over and over again. Although the team is closing in on win number 100 they continue to stay humble in their approach to every game.

“We just stick to our motto ‘Stay Hungry and Humble,” senior Tasia Foman said. “We just want to encourage each other on and off the court.”

Self-Morgan said the group of girls she coaches day in an day out are extraordinary and make coaching fun.

“These girls work hard every day,” Self-Morgan said. “They want to win.”

As the Pantherettes approach the number 100, Self-Morgan said she doesn’t look at this like most people.

“Our goal has always been to get the next win not to get 100 wins,” Self-Morgan said. “Right now we want to win the next seven games and get another State Title.”

Self Morgan said she has the highest respect for her mentor Coach Meadows.

“I look up to Sandra Meadows. 134 wins is phenominal,” Self Morgan said.

Duncanville’s last loss came in the Collin County Roundball Classic in 2012. Plano West handed Duncanville a 58-50 defeat — its only loss during that 40-1 season. Senior Ariel Atkins remembers that game like it was yesterday.

“I was very angry and upset that night,” Atkins said. “But that loss put the fire in us to get to this point and not lose another game.”

The Pantherettes will face Killeen Harker Heights tonight at 7:30 at Hill Junior College in Hilsboro

Pantherettes answer questions about entering playoffs for win number 100 straight

Reporter Myles Delgado sat down with Pantherettes Head Coach Cathy Self-Morgan and her Seniors to ask a few questions as they enter the playoffs on a 99 game winning streak.

Delgado: Coach Self-Morgan, how has it been coaching this particular group of athletes?

Self-Morgan: It has been absolutely wonderful. They are a great bunch. They are respectful, hard working, and stay on top of their schoolwork as well!

Delgado: Ariel (Atkins), what do you see happening for this team in the future? What does it take to get there?

Atkins: I see more success and another State Championship. It takes work. Lots of work. We’ll get there. We just need to stay focused and hungry.

Delgado: Adrianna (Davis), with last night being the last time on the home court before graduation, how did you feel getting that 99th win against rival, Desoto?

Davis: It felt great, its a moment I’ll cherish for a long time. I’ll miss playing here a lot.

Delgado: Tasmia (Foman) What does it take to come in and work every week on the court?

Foman: It takes admiration for the game. Its all for the love of the game and the will to get better!

Delgado: Coach, you are currently sitting at 99 straight wins, how does it feel coming close to the legendary coach, Sandra Meadows record of 134 straight wins?

Self-Morgan: Its amazing, and We as a team are coming close to the record. Not just I. But we don’t worry about the wins, we just focus on getting the next win, game in and game out.

The Pantherettes began their run for a third straight title this week.  Catch us here for coverage of every game beginning with the regional tournament in three weeks as the girls look to claim title number 3.

Photos: Pantherettes celebrate second State championship

The Pantherettes claimed another State Championship defeating Cibolo Steele 59-33 March 2 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. The Pantherettes end the season on a 70 game winning streak and a perfect 42-0 season.

Duncanville was the first 5A team to win three straight state titles from 1988-1990. Next year, it will try to become the first team to pull it off twice. They have had a total of 7 state championships and 22 times in the State Tournament.

“We have to keep the same mentality,” junior Ariel Atkins said. “We are going to have some younger players and we will all be older. They will all be looking up to us. And coach is going to expect even more from us as seniors than she does now.”

Look for more photos and full story from State Championship game here this week.

Live coverage of State Championship game

Duncanville Pantherettes played Clear Springs for the semi-finals game in the State Tournament. Video Produced by Tricia Virtue. Photographers/Videographers were Abigail Padgett, Tricia Virtue, Ariana Canchola, Olivia Davila, and Chrystal Rhone.

Photos from State Semifinals

Photographers Ariana Canchola, Olivia Davila, Chrystal Rhone, Abigail Padgett and Tricia Virtue were at hand to cover the game.

Panthettes advance to State Championship game for second straight year

By Weston Hill

“That’s what they’ve done all year, they play team offense and team defense.” head coach Cathy Self-Morgan said in the post game interview after the Pantherettes dominating win over Clear Springs in the 5A state semi finals 64-40. The Pantherettes(40-0) advance to the State Finals against Cibolo Steel(32-5) Saturday night at 8:30 in the Frank Erwin Center in Austin.

“The kids played hard to get the big run in the third to take the big lead,” Self Morgan said. “They covered for each other when they had to in order to get the win.”

The Pantherettes were lead by junior guard, Ariel Atkins, who had 29 points and 5 rebounds. Atkins shot over 68 percent from the field in the semi final matchup most of which came in the second half of play.

“My team just kept telling me to keep my head up and keep shooting,” Atkins said of her cold start in the first half.

The Pantheretes took an early 12 point lead in the first and second quarter, but Clear Springs came roaring back and got the lead down to one with 3:00 left in the second quarter. Just like all year, the Pantherettes remained calm and increased their lead to four by halftime.

“This team got the momentum going their way late in the second period of play and we had to stop their shots and slow their momentum,” Self-Morgan said.

After halftime the Pantherettes went on an 18-2 run and shut down Clear Springs for the rest of the game. Senior forward Kiara Perry had 11 points and Antonia Robinson also had 10 huge points. Senior guard Tamara Washington had 9 points, but her presence was felt more on the defensive end with 4 steals and a block.

“We are very happy with what TMo has given us this year,” Self-Morgan said. “She not only plays hard but brings fun to the game and has a great attitude.”

Playing defense will be the key to the Pantherettes netting another state championship The Pantherettes will be playing for their 6th state championship and a spot in Duncanville and UIL history.

The Pantherettes are on their way to the State Tournament again this year. We will again be providing live coverage of the games from Austin. You can catch us here for all the coverage and visit us on Twitter @pantherprints1. Below is our live coverage link.

Live Coverage of Pantherettes road to Austin for the second time. This will also be live coverage of State_Semifinals game.

Pantherettes State Finals game (If they advance)

Ariel Atkins credits God,family and team for her success. See full story

LAST YEAR’S COVERAGE

This is the first year since 2004 the Pantherettes have made an appearance in the 5-A State Championship Final 4. Follow us here as we chronicle their journey to the Championship. Every game will also be televised on both Friday and Saturday. See more information here about live coverage.

Follow us on twitter @pantherprints1

2012 5-A girls State Championship game: Pantherettes vs. Spring Dekaney

Taylor Harris 5A Girls State Championship story

State Championship photo gallery:

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Live coverage will be provided by Editor Taylor Harris of the game with twitter feeds from Julio Munoz, Chase Apperson and Allie Peregory. Access live coverage of State Championship game

2012 State Semi-finals vs. Cypress Falls:

Photo gallery Part 1 from the game:
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The Panthettes routed Number 15 Cypress Falls 64-40 in their quest to win a state championship. Photographers Chase Apperson and Ana Monozon recorded the game’s highlights and Hector Sifuentes and Kevin Quintero edited the footage.

Live play by play provided by Taylor Harris of 2012 5A State Semi-Finals Game

Patherettes State Semi-Finals vs. Cypress Falls 3-2

Panther Prints Article by Taylor Harris State Semi-Finals

Sendoff for Pantherettes state:

Hundreds of students parents and faculty showed up to give an official sendoff of the girls basketball team this morning. Student in Mr. Rich’s Journalism I class put their photo skills to work and recorded the event.

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This is the video provided by Sports Editor Julio Munoz of the sendoff. The video was edited by Kevin Quintero

Pre-State Interview:

Panther Prints editor Taylor Harris sat down with Pantherettes head coach Cathy Self-Morgan and her four seniors Empress Davenport, Alisha Spearman,Morgan Bolton,Martisha Bables to discuss their plans for the State Tournament coming up this week. The video was edited and produced by Grady Kheshtinejad.

REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS VS. AMARILLO 60-29
Photographers Abigail Padgett and Tricia Virtue covered the Pantherettes in the Regional tournament. Their photos are below:

REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS VS. AMARILLO 60-29

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REGIONAL FINALS VS IRVING MACARTHUR 62-55(OT)

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