By Shannon Wright

In typical fashion when the Panthers match up against the Tigers, it was a packed house. The gym was filled with fans on both sides – a sea of blue and gold and green and yellow – the atmosphere was loud and full of energy. Both teams matched that energy and played an exciting game of basketball.

It was a battle from tip-off to the final buzzer, but Doyline took the win 61-49.

Michael Normand, head coach of the Doyline boys’ basketball program, radiated with pride for his team. He said, “Coach Longino at Castor is one of the better coaches in the area and his teams are always very prepared so getting a win over them is always tough.”

When asked for his take on the game, Normand said, “That was a great environment for high school basketball!” He went on, “I thought we executed our defensive game plan very well and as usual, Tamp and Jay led us offensively and I thought Zach did a great job inside defensively controlling their paint touches.”

The Panthers were led by their guards, Senior, Damarion “Tamp” McLendon, with 25 points and Sophomore, Jay Patterson, with 24 points. Followed by Senior, Zach Normand, putting up 10 points.

Doyline sits at 20-3 for the season while Castor is at 13-7.

These two district teams will face off again in Castor on February 13.