CHANUTE — In the Panther's season opener against Labette County the Panthers shot a disastrous 17% from the field and 14% from three, which resulted in a long night for the Panthers.  
 
"We just flat couldn't buy a bucket," Panther head coach Jeremy Coombs said. "That combined with the fact that we completely overlooked Labette and that is on me."
 
The loss to Labette is the first loss to the Cardinals in Coombs' twelve seasons as the Panther's head coach.
 
"We are young and have a ton of new guys, but that will be the last time you hear that from me," Coombs said. "This is the real deal now and it's time to grow up and play basketball the way Panthers play. I will get them going, there is no question about that."
 
Neosho County, which was led in scoring by Magic Reliford, who scored 14 points, was 6-7 from the free throw line and was just 3-of-17 from the field.
 
"Magic led the team in scoring tonight, but even he struggled to make shots," Coombs said. "I thought our defense was just ok. Giving up 77 points isn't terrible, but you have to score the ball and that's what hurt us the most."
 
Turnovers plagued both teams as Labette had 22 turnovers and Neosho topped that with 24 for the game. The Panthers also sent the Cardinals to the foul line 36 times to the Panther's 28.
 
"Shooting 17% from two and 14% from three isn't something you see often," Coombs Said "Im pretty sure I haven't had a team in 12 years shoot that low of a percentage, so I'm sure the jitters are out or whatever it was and we will get back to shooting well the next game."
 
The Panthers will look to get back to their winning ways Saturday as they host Baker University JV at 4:00 pm. The Panthers will also host a neutral-site scrimmage Saturday between Missouri Southern State University and Newman University. This Scrimmage will be open to the public and will tip off at 2:00 pm.
 
Neosho County 53, Labette 77
 
Labette:            45        32 — 77
Neosho:           26        27 — 53
 
Scoring
Neosho County: Brian Tolefree 11, Davion Benton 9, Jack Taliaferro 8, Jae-Min Yang 2, Sai Fisher 2, Javon Reliford 14, Arkel Williams 2, Jay McMiller 2, Shannon Cordes 3
 
Labette: Ghage Kenan 10, Trotze Dobbs 7, Keondre Kennedy 22, Larenz Nero 4, Jan Van Selst 2, Mike Flenorey 6, Makiyah Jones 3, George Price 13, Xavier Ughtevbe 7, Antoine Henderson 4