Panhandle outlasts Wellington, punches ticket to state final four

The old saying in sports is that it’s tough to beat a team three times in one season. On Friday night at the Joe Lombard Gymnasium in Canyon, Panhandle learned just how true that is. But when the final buzzer sounded, the Panthers had done exactly that — and made school history along the way.

Panhandle pulled away late to defeat district rival Wellington 52-39, capturing the program’s first-ever Region I–2A Division I championship. In front of a standing-room-only crowd buzzing with energy from tipoff to the final horn, the Panthers delivered one of the most memorable wins the school has seen.

The victory sends Panhandle (28-6) to the Class 2A Division I state semifinals, where the Panthers will meet Waco Meyer. Wellington wrapped up an impressive season at 22-10.

For most of the night, this one felt like a heavyweight fight.

The teams battled back and forth with eight ties and 14 lead changes. Neither side could create much separation early, and the teams headed to the locker room knotted at 23-23 after a frantic first half.

Things only got crazier in the third quarter.

Panhandle and Wellington traded buckets, momentum, and the lead seemingly every trip down the floor. Caden Armes knocked down a three to push Panhandle ahead, only for Wellington’s Jimmy Cantu to answer on the other end.

Then came the moment everyone in the gym will remember.

With seconds left in the third quarter and Panhandle trailing, Armes launched an off-balance three from near midcourt. The shot splashed through the net as the buzzer sounded — and he was fouled. The four-point play flipped the momentum and gave Panhandle a 38-37 lead heading into the fourth.

From there, the Panthers took control.

Armes opened the final quarter with another three, and Luke Schmucker followed with one of his own as Panhandle surged ahead. Wellington went cold offensively, while the Panthers finished strong, outscoring the Skyrockets 14-2 in the fourth quarter to seal the historic win.

Armes led the way with a game-high 24 points, including nine in the third quarter.

Now the Panthers are one win away from playing for a state championship — and after a night like this, they look ready for the moment.