There should be no shame on the part of the Pana Panthers basketball team, coaches, students or fans after the performance in the sectional final at Nashville Friday night. It was something to be proud of and I hope all of the underclassmen - whatever sport they are in - learn from the example of this team.
All I could think of during the second half of the game was, "They won't give up!" And the Panthers never did. Down 15, 20, even 25 points, there was never quit written on their faces or in their attitude on the floor. It was a marvelous spectacle of sheer determination.
The only regret I have is not being able to see that quintet of seniors who have come a long way since the first tip-off in early December. They far exceeded any expectations of them. It has been my pleasure to chronicle their season and wish them the best in the future.
Now, if some day I could write the same thing about this Illinois team. . . .
Even though Pana didn't win Friday night, there was some consolation among the Panthers faithful that a Pana "legacy" continues. Senior Garrett Gaffner of the Cougars is the son of Clark Gaffner who was an outstanding basketball player for Pana "back in the day."
Saw quite a few Panaites visiting with the Gaffner family prior to and after the game.
So, in that spirit, we wish the Cougars well and hope their crusade for the holy grail of Class 2A basketball is successful - both Tuesday in West Frankfort and this weekend in Peoria.
In the small world department. . . . .
As the old joke goes, "We went to different high schools together," applies to myself and Mr. Gaffner - although your truly has a year "experience" on him.
But getting back to the small world aspect, I renewed an acquaintance while in Nashville this week. I went to college at SIU-C with Brad Meyers, a native of Nashville. We were both in the Radio-TV department at Carbondale, and played on the same slow pitch softball team, the "Easter Pigs" -that's another (actually several) story(ies) better left untold until my son graduates from college.
Brad continues his radio career in Nashville and was doing the play-by-play of the tournament. While talking about the game, I asked him if he was aware of the Gaffner-Pana connection, and he replied he knew Clark quite well. Seems before the Gaffner family moved to Pana, they resided in Nashville and Brad and Clark were childhood buddies!
See you next week!
