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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

PELHAM – On a special night for their three seniors, the Pelham Panthers walked away with a commanding win to head into the playoffs with momentum on their side.

Pelham honored senior players Shea Gallagher, Jaeda Hill, Camryn McMinn and manager Kendall Washington in a 48-32 win over the Marbury Bulldogs on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Pelham High School as part of senior night.

After Gallagher, Hill and McMinn got the start in their final regular season home game, the Panthers got the early edge on the Bulldogs thanks to four first-quarter points from Ally Barfield and a 3-pointer from Maliya Dixon.

Pelham took a 9-7 lead into the second quarter, but that quickly ballooned into a double-digit advantage over the course of the next eight minutes.

Barfield got into double figures thanks to two 3-pointers and two made free throws while Dixon and Hannah Bankston each had four points in the second. As a team, the Panthers scored 20 points during the second quarter and increased their lead to 29-16 going into halftime.

Pelham passed the scoring baton over to Janiah Harris in the third quarter as she added onto her first-quarter basket with six points in the opening eight minutes of the half. Barfield also hit her third 3-pointer of the night and Taylor Hollingsworth scored her first three points of the game.

The Panthers extended their lead to 41-26 entering the fourth quarter and used that lead to keep Marbury at bay. Pelham scored seven points in the fourth, including another basket from McMinn to give her four points on senior night as the team finished off the 16-point victory.

Barfield led the Panthers with 16 points. Harris scored eight points, Dixon had seven points and Hollingsworth, McMinn and Bankston finished with four points each.

However, the night ended on a sour note as Gallagher and Dixon each exited during the fourth quarter with injuries. That added to the inactive players for the Panthers as Tee King missed her second-straight game due to illness.

Nevertheless, Pelham finished the regular season with a 16-11 record and a three-game winning streak. The Panthers will battle the Helena Huskies in the Class 6A, Area 8 semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Chelsea High School with the winner advancing to sub-regionals.