The Saint Jo Lady Panthers won their bi-district playoff game on Monday night against Perrin-Whitt.
The Lady Panthers won 49-32 as they had the benefit of being the first seed playing a fourth seed.
Saint Jo came into the game with a 22-10 record and had won the district title after going 11-1, though the Lady Panthers had several close calls in some games.
The Lady Pirates went 16-15 overall and 6-6 in district, losing against district front runners Graford, Throckmorton and Newcastle who are all among the top 25 teams in the state in the most recent poll.
Saint Jo came into the game after working on some defensive wrinkles specifically tailored for how Perrin-Whitt played.
Unfortunately, it seemed to cost the team some of its offensive personality as the Lady Panthers struggled to make a shot and get anything going in the first quarter.
The Lady Pirates led 9-6 heading into the second quarter.
Coach Daniel Lindenborn then scrapped the defensive plan and switched back to his team’s usual full-court, zone trapping style of play.
This seemed to unlock Saint Jo.
Not only did it limit Perrin-Whitt’s offense outside of several free throw attempts that totaled just three points.
It also upped the pace of the game and created open looks in transition. The Lady Panthers scored 24 points as six different players scored at least one point.
Maxey Johnson knocked in three 3-pointers and scored 10 points during the period while the team made five 3-pointers in the second quarter overall.
Saint Jo led 32-12 at halftime and was in control of the game now.
The Lady Panthers offense could not keep that type of offensive fireworks going all game.
Perrin-Whitt got some key players in foul trouble and Saint Jo’s offense struggled while the Lady Pirates had their best stretch of the game scoring in double-digits.
It was not enough to get back into the game as the Lady Panthers led 40-25 heading into the fourth quarter.
Saint Jo established control back over the game and outscored Perrin-Whitt in the final period. Eventually the Lady Panthers stalled the final two minutes away to secure the win.
Saint Jo won 49-32.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.