January 7, 2003.

On that date, Panther Valley's girls' basketball team defeated Tamaqua, 51-44.It was the last time the Panthers would defeat the Lady Raiders until last night when they ended a 19 game losing streak to Tamaqua with a 50-42 victory.The "streak" was not the only streak to mention as both teams went on scoring runs and scoring droughts to keep the game competitive until the end.Panther Valley's Madison Blasko opened the scoring with two free throws and after Tamaqua's Vanessa Solt's jumper tied it, PV missed its next seven shots from the field, many off of offensive rebounds. The Raiders, though, had their own problems with getting the ball to fall through the net as they shot just two for nine in the quarter. The Panthers then got hot behind Blasko and Kailee Smith, whose steal and layup off an inbounds pass and short jumper gave Panther Valley an 11-4 lead after the first eight minutes.In the second quarter, the winless Raiders looked determined to earn a victory when junior, Paige Demetrides sank a three-pointer for a 5-0 run to close out the quarter with her team down by only three points. Meanwhile, the Panthers were held scoreless for final 6:15 of the first half."We told the team we were not at all happy with their effort or execution in the first half," said Panther coach Brad Hurley. "We weren't setting screens, or showing them ball fakes, but give Tamaqua credit. They were playing physical so we had to work hard for our shots."We definitely needed more intensity in the second half."The Panthers heeded their coach's command as they opened the third quarter with 12- 0 run. Blasko scored with a jumper, a put back, a layup and a down low bank shot before Demetriades' driving layup down the lane with 1:55 to finally broke the drought for the Raiders."The rim on the basket was really small for us," said Tamaqua coach, Joe Berezwick. "And their press hurt as they were able to score in bunches to stay way ahead."Panther Valley (6-7) led by 13 points to start the final quarter and Tamaqua could have thrown in the towel, but the Raiders came fighting back. After PV's Jamie Mikovich's five straight points ballooned the Panther lead to 36-19, Tamaqua, led by Solt, Demetriades, and Brianna Wittig went on an 13-2 run to narrow the score to 38-32 before Blasko ended the scoring for PV with two free throws in the final minute."After our last loss, I asked our girls if they wanted to throw in the towel or fight to the end and I think they answered that question tonight," said Berezwick. "I couldn't be happier with their effort and they showed some real grit to get the game close at the end. We now have something to build on because they are finally believing in themselves. If we keep this approach, we will get us a win."Hurley liked the way his team played the second half as well."When we are the aggressors, we are always on the plus side, " he said. "We show glimpses, but we need to be more consistent. This was, however, a statement win for us after a tough loss to Lehighton. As long as we set screens, stretch defenses and are strong with the ball, we will do what it takes to win."Blasko led all scorers with 19 points while Demetriades tallied 12 for Tamaqua.TAMAQUADemetriades 5-0-1-12, Wittig 3-0-0-6, Solt 4-2-4-10, Ligenza 1-0-0-2, Pratka 1-0-0-2, Hartung 0-0-0-0, Pederson 0-0-0-0, Baddick 0-0-0-0, McVicker 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 14-2-5-32.PANTHER VALLEYMarouchac 1-0-0-2, Blasko 6-6-6-19, Vance 1-1-2-3, Smith 3-0-0-6, Mac. Markovich 1-0-0-3, Mikovich 2-3-4-7, Jacobs 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 14-10-12-40.Tamaqua 4 9 4 15 - 32Panther Vy. 11 5 14 10 - 40Three-pointers: Tamaqua - Demetriades 2; Panther Valley - Blasko 1, Mac. Markovich 1.