It’s been a hot start to the season so far for Panther Valley, which came into its Schuylkill League Division 1 opener against Jim Thorpe with impressive wins in each of its two non-league games.

The Panthers early-season fire continued to rage Thursday night against Thorpe, as PV got hot from the three-point line from the start, and its offense never cooled down in a convincing 62-30 victory.

A huge Panther run in the first quarter helped them pull away. After battling back-and-forth for the first three minutes of the game - the Olympians led 9-8 at one point - Panther Valley would finish the first quarter on a 13-2 run to build a 21-11 lead.

It was all about the trifecta for Panther Valley in the opening quarter as it hit five three-pointers, going 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. Chase Weaver (2), Drew Kokinda, Thomas Buyce and Bradley Hood all hit triples for the Panthers in the quarter.

“After one game, hitting a bunch of threes, you figure you are just hot, but then after a few games and you’re still hitting a bunch of them, then that means you got some kids that can shoot the ball, and it’s really just a product of the work that these guys have put in,” said Panther Valley head coach Pat Crampsie. “Shooting is something we really emphasize and to become a good shooter, you have to get the shots up, and all fall these guys were coming in before school to do that.

“Also, this group is just super unselfish. We have never had this many assists in our program through three games. They share the ball so well and complement each other so well.”

The Olympians, who struggled to make shots in the first quarter, continued that trend in the second, going just 1-for-12 from the floor, and the Panthers took full advantage as it opened the quarter on a 10-0 run before Thorpe would finally get on the board late in the frame on a Ben Goldberg three-pointer.

In total, the Panthers strung together a 23-2 run between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second to build a 33-14 lead at the half. Eight points from Stephen Hood in the second period, including two triples, led the attack.

“We had a great day of practice yesterday. The guys were sharp, and they came in here tonight focused,” said Crampsie. “They know what is at stake. We want to contend in our league this season, and if you’re going to do that, you have to be able to go on the road in league-play and beat quality teams.

“I’m really happy with their mindset, and the way they are playing with a ton of energy and intensity right now.”

The Panthers continued to carry that focus and intensity into the third quarter where they once again were in rhythm offensively, going 7-for-14 from the field, and adding two more three-pointers. PV took a commanding 25-point lead into the fourth quarter, and cruised to the league-opening win.

STAT LINE … Weaver led all scorers with 17 points for PV. Stephen Hood added 13. For Thorpe, Andrew Warner scored a team-high 12 points.

SHOOTING STRUGGLES … The Olympians were just 6-for-25 from the field in the first half, including a 2-of-16 performance from beyond the arc. On the flip side, PV shot 7-of-15 from three-point range in the first half.

LET IT FLY … The Panthers have hit an impressive 30 three-pointers through their first three games this season.

PANTHER VALLEY

B. Hood 1-0-0-3, Pascoe 3-0-4-6, S. Hood 4-2-2-12, Kokinda 2-0-0-6, Weaver 6-2-2-17, Hadley 1-0-0-2, Hoben 0-0-0-0, McAndrew 1-0-0-2, Orsulak 1-0-0-2, Goida 0-0-0-0, Gardiner 0-0-0-0, Buyce 2-0-0-6, Maynard 0-0-0-0, Breiner 0-1-2-1, Jones 2-0-0-4, Penberth 0-1-2-1. Totals: 23-6-12-62.

JIM THORPE

Herron 2-2-8-7, Spruill 0-0-0-0, Warner 5-0-0-12, Domski 1-0-0-3, Goldberg 2-0-0-5, DiSanto 0-0-0-0, Curran 0-0-0-0, McHugh 0-0-0-0, Barile 0-0-0-0, Selby 1-0-2-3, Berger 0-0-0-0, Heydt 0-0-0-0. Totals 11-4-12-30.

Panther Valley 21 12 16 13 - 62

Jim Thorpe 11 3 10 6 - 30

Three-pointers: Panther Valley - Weaver 3, Kokinda 2, S. Hood 2, Buyce 2, B. Hood 1; Jim Thorpe - Herron 1, Goldberg 1, Selby 1, Domski 1.