Starr's Mill headed to state playoffs

As the clock ran down to 00.00 Starr's Mill Panther's head coach Brandon Hutchins leaped up and down screaming "we're going to state we're going to state."

Down by eight at halftime ,the Panthers battled back to defeat the Wolverines of Union Grove high school in a 51-42 come from behind victory sending them to the state playoffs for just the second time in school history.

"These guys are special and I wouldn’t trade them for the world, down eight at half I challenged them to come out and play" said Hutchins

The Panthers trailed by as many as 11 points and Union Grove's Sean Williams had a game high 23 points but Starr's Mill had big contributions from Jeremiah Vrundy, who had a team high 19 points and David Watson who finished the night with 18.

The Panthers started the game sluggish falling behind Union Grove 14-25 at halftime.

"I think it was nerves we have never been in this situation before but we finally settled down and started playing Starr’s Mill basketball that’s all you could ask for," said Hutchins.

After half time Starr's Mill started on a 15-0 run to take the lead to 29-27 with 1:10 left in the third quarter. Union grove tied the game at 39-39 a piece. The panthers went on a 12-3 run to close out the game and clinch a state playoff berth.

Vrundy started the 12-3 run with a big basket in the paint between two defenders with 2:13 left in the game. Will Anda and Watson knocked down clutch free throws down the stretch with 1:19 in the fourth to put the game out of reach for the Wolverines.

The Panthers will play the Seminoles of Creekside after they knocked off No. 1 Seed Mt. Zion 62-57 Thursday at 8:30. The winner will go to the region 4-AAAA finals.