The Center Line Panthers girls basketball team triumphed over adversity once again, securing a 45-33 victory against Warren Mott on the road. Despite facing significant challenges throughout the season, including player illnesses, injuries, and team departures, the Panthers improved their record to 7-2 overall and 1-1 in the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division.
Coach Josh Banks highlighted the ongoing struggles, noting that the team had only seven players available for the match. “We only dressed seven, played six, and the starting lineup played most of the game,” he stated. The team’s resilience has been apparent as they have navigated a season marked by inconsistent player availability.
As of December 2023, the Panthers have seen two players leave the team and others miss games due to health issues, including one player participating in a club volleyball tournament. Coach Banks remarked, “We started with 12 players and now down to 10 – and not all of them are available for every game and practice.”
Despite these hurdles, the Panthers have maintained a competitive edge. The standout player of the match, junior point guard Janiyah Thomas, continued to demonstrate her prowess by scoring a game-high 20 points. Her contributions have been crucial throughout the season, as Coach Banks noted, “Janiyah is having a great season. She leads us in every category this season.”
Senior guard Madison Gilmore added 15 points, and senior forward Alaya Verbrugge, while only scoring four points, made a significant impact by securing 14 rebounds. Coach Banks praised the entire team for their effort, stating, “The whole team works extremely hard. We have to have effort like that and it’s rewarding to see us now at 7-2.”
The game began with a strong start for Center Line, who established an early 15-6 lead. The Marauders fought back, narrowing the score to 24-17 by halftime after an 11-9 second quarter. In the third quarter, Warren Mott (3-5, 0-1) continued to battle, eventually tying the game at 31-31 entering the final quarter.
In a decisive fourth quarter, the Panthers surged ahead with a 14-2 run, sealing the victory. “They left it all on the floor,” Coach Banks said, reflecting on the team’s performance.
The Marauders also faced their own challenges throughout the season, including injuries and the absence of several key players involved in high-level club soccer. Senior Conamaro Ndana, who recently signed with the NCAA Division I University of Florida for soccer, led Mott with nine points. Teammates Zeena Ndana and Katelyn Wioskowski contributed eight points each as the team continues to adapt to its circumstances.
As the season progresses, the Center Line Panthers remain focused on leveraging their work ethic and determination to continue building on their early success, a marked improvement from last year’s total of just two wins.
