By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

The Saint Jo High School boys’ basketball team was a study in perseverance on Tuesday night versus Turner.
The Panthers kept chipping away at Turner’s lead during the third and early fourth quarters in the same manner a whittler works with wood.
With 3 minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Panthers took their first lead since the opening quarter as Wyatt West sent a nifty pass to James Schoppa inside for a basket.
With momentum clearly on Saint Jo’s side, the Panthers eventually registered a 45-40 victory over Turner in a game marked by physical play – it essentially turned into an all-out border skirmish between Texas and Oklahoma high schools.
“The Dome” was transformed into a raucous atmosphere, and the Panthers gave the hometown folks a reason to smile at the end under first-year head coach Brian Blank.
“I thought the kids did a great job coming back from behind and finding a way to win,” Blank said.
“Once we settled down and got into the offense, we were able to get some good shots,” the coach continued. “Wyatt West did a great job of handling the ball.”
Blank said the Panthers picked up their defensive intensity in the second half – giving Saint Jo the ability to force some turnovers.

Saint Jo basketball player Anthony Gutierrez (32) looks to box out a player from Turner (Okla.) during the second quarter of Tuesday’s game at “The Dome” in Saint Jo. The Panthers topped the Falcons 45-40. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)