by 
Superior Panthers
The Superior boys’ basketball team entered the first round of the 2017 1A State Playoffs hoping to advance further than it did a year ago, when the Panthers reached the semifinals of the state tournament. Following a first-round upset of No. 3 Ft. Thomas last Thursday, the Panthers had to feel good about where they were headed.
But those feelings were short lived.
A 70 – 61 loss last Friday to No. 6 Red Mesa in the state quarterfinals ended the No.14-seeded Panthers’ season.
Superior avenged three previous losses earlier this season against Ft. Thomas by upsetting the Apaches in the first round, 48 – 39. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to repeat the magic from a year ago to advance further this year.
“This team is full of kids who work hard and they were able to put it together in time for the last few weeks of the season,” Superior head coach Ryan Palmer told the Superior Sun. “We had a great win in the first round and lost a very close and tough-fought game to Red Mesa.”
Jalon Murray put up a pair of double-doubles in the two games. Against Ft. Thomas, Murray finished with 24 points and 21 rebounds to go along with five blocks. Marcos Bueno added 15 points in the first-round win.
Austin Navarrette was perfect from the field against Red Mesa, going 8-for-8 and finishing with 19 points. Murray had 15 points, 15 rebounds and Bueno also ended with 19 points.
The Panthers’ season, which ended with their second-straight playoff appearance, was a success by any measure.
“We played some very good basketball at the end, when it counts,” Palmer said. “I am proud of the fight and determination these kids brought to the court.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by