Oh No ... The Panthers Were On Their Way To A District Title, When Suddenly, Everything Changed

When it was over, senior Matt Delbridge stopped at the foul line and put his hands on his knees. Nearby, over by the team bench, junior Ryan Murray did the same. In the stands, the Blue Crew -- Springboro's intelligent, energetic and very effective student section -- was eerily quiet, a first all season. Had this really happened? How was that possible? Was it all over, just like that?

If Springboro's Division I District final basketball game against Cincinnati Withrow last night were to be given a song title, it would surely be Pat Benetar's "Heartbreaker." The Panthers had their guts ripped out, all in the game's last few minutes, and as a result their tournament hopes were dashed and their remarkable season ended.

The final was 50-48, with Withrow scoring the winning points with just under two seconds remaining. Springboro barely had time for one final shot, but Maverick Morgan's quick 15-footer was just off the mark. The Panthers finished the season 19-5, winners of the GWOC South and the Dayton Sectional, and having been regarded all year as one of the best teams around.

Maverick Morgan at the free throw line.

Ouch. Over. Just like that.

Such an ending didn't look likely when Boro led by 10 late in the first half or, after briefly falling behind in the fourth quarter, a late rally put it ahead by 5 with only two minutes remaining. But Withrow kept pushing, pressuring Springboro into some critical turnovers and then closing the gap with some excellent outside shooting.

Then it held the ball for the last minute to set up the last shot, the game-winner.

The devastating loss raises the oft-asked question, "Would you rather lose by two on a last-second shot, or be blown out and never have the chance? Panther coach Troy Holtrey was quoted in today's paper saying the loss left him feeling sick, and that losing by 10 might have been easier to stomach.

Boro was so close to returning to the Regionals, where it's been three times in school history ('65, '96 and '03). The Panthers lose only two starters next year (albeit valuable ones in Delbridge and Jack Mapes), so the future looks bright, but this one is going to sting a while.

Heartbreaker. Dream-breaker.

But that won't be the lasting image of the 2011-12 Panthers. They set the tone for success in the third game of the season when they beat Dayton Wayne, a traditional Dayton powerhouse, in a game that wasn't decided until the final seconds. Then they won one of the best holiday season tournaments you'll ever see, nipping a very good Dayton Meadowdale team in the opening game and then whipping perennial winner Middletown in the finals.

They won at Trotood, went undefeated in the conference, and then breezed through the first three games of the post-season tournament (including a swift kicking of Centerville) to get to the finals. Under anyone's definition, this was an extremely successful Springboro basketball season.

Ryan Murray was always the floor general, getting the ball up the floor and then triggering the offense, frustrating defenses with his good outside shooting and his slick passing. Jake Pfahl makes three-pointers and drives the lane with equal ease, while Jack Mapes was as good an outside shooter as Springboro has ever had. Meanwhile, inside, Delbridge was the kind of player who didn't score a lot of points or grab a lot of attention, but he was an intense presence who let opponents know there would be no cupcake easy shots waiting in the paint.

Maverick Morgan (L), Ryan Murray and Jake Pfahl play D.

And then there was Maverick Morgan, the 6'10" center who's being looked at by a lot of big schools. Those who know him know Mav is one of the greatest guys in the world -- easy-going and friendly -- but when the game starts his fire burns brightly. He blocks shots, fights for rebounds, and scores 25 or more a night even though he has half the opposition whacking him with cheap shots the whole night.

There were others ... Joey Kaiser, with a great attitude; Jordan Rigg, with all-around heads-up play; and John Kyle Byrne, an outside force until his knees required surgery.

A solid nucleus is returning. When the pain of last night's loss finally subsides, Coach Holtrey has to be optimistic.

No doubt, Boro will have one dream next year that is above all other dreams. It's to get back to the District finals. Same time next year.

Only this time they'll be singing another Pat Benetar song: "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." 'Cause, whatever the opponent that night may have, it won't be enough.

Go Boro.