Battle for third at the GSK: Panther Creek vs Knightdale

After some technical difficulties (the wireless here bumps me off once a day and had to meet its quota), we're back from Broughton High School and the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational.

With 6:30 left in the first, Panther Creek leads 14-12

--Sorry for the long wait in between updates. Earnest Ross just got fouled on what looked like a 3-points shot with 5.5 seconds left in the first. Instead, it's a one-and-one and he misses the front end. That leaves our score unchanged. At half, it's 28-22 PC.

--Earnest Ross opens up the second half with a steal and a lay-in. He now has 14 points.

--It's 36-26, Panther Creek still in the lead. The Catamounts are doing a great job on defense and rebounding, and that's what has kept them ahead

--40-32 PC still in the lead. I promise I'll be more descriptive next time.

--The Catamounts hold the rock for the greater part of the final 30 seconds, but Ross' 3-pointer is off. However, PC still holds the 40-34 lead going into the fourth.

--Tyler Nicholson hits a 3-pointer to open the fourth, and Knightdale closes the gap 40-37. PC's Ross is fouled on the other end and sinks two. 42-37, PC lead, 7:24 left in the fourth.

--PC forces a turnover with their full-court trap, and Marques Oliver flushes a breakaway dunk. 44-37. He comes back and hits a nice hook shot, and makes it 46-37.

--James Toney nearly dunks all over Knightdale's Eric Green. He misses the dunk, and both free throws, but Ross is there with the offensvie board and the putback. 48-39, 5:31 left.

--Josh Gorham tosses in a floater off the glass, cutting the deficit to seven. 48-41 PC lead. 4:21 to play.

--Remember, this game is basically for Wake County supremacy (but undefeated Athens Drive would have a problem with that).

--Marques Oliver has shown a good all-around game today, hitting a long two to give his team a 50-41 lead. His brother Brandon hits a freebie and it's 51-41.

--PC gets a 10-second half court violation and a sweet lay-in from Marques Oliver.

--As Stan Okoye lays-in a basket, they announce he now has 1,001th point. Quite an accomplishment.

--1:50 to go, it's 56-46.

--Knightdale is now having to foul, and it's 58-46 Panther Creek with Isaiah Johnson stepping to the line for two. 14.2 seconds left on the clock.

--Panther Creek wins, 60-46. Ross with 23 points, giving him 79 for the tournament, which is tops for right now.