Paris High Panthers launch winter sports season with mixed results across the court and ice

The Paris Panthers celebrate their season-opening 7–2 win over Holy Trinity at the Brant Sports Complex, kicking off the winter schedule with a strong team performance.

George Le Gresley

Paris Independent Sports Correspondent

The winter season for high school sports kicked off last week, with over 80 games scheduled in volleyball, basketball, hockey, badminton, and wrestling, among others. Of course, Paris High School athletes are competing; some, like many of the Junior students, are entering competitive sports for the first time, and some games are an extension of practice.

Boys Hockey

Last year’s squad had a good run at the AABHN championship, and this year’s version, coached by Scott Mann and Tony North and a variety of students, at this early stage, looks set to continue a good run. Last Thursday, the Panthers faced Simcoe’s Holy Trinity Titans at the BSC. 

At 7:36, the Panthers opened up scoring with Nathan Wylie beating the Titan goalie to open the game’s scoring. A minute and a half later, Quinn Carpentar scores on a shot from the right wing. At 2:07 remaining in the period, another goal for Paris, followed by a shorthanded goal while killing a penalty, by veteran Josh Pizzey. At the end of the first, Paris leads 4-0.

In the second period, the Panthers added two more goals, one off Nathan Wylie’s stick and the other off Josh Pizzey’s. Holty Trinity scored to end the period with a 6-1 lead. In the third, both teams scored, and Paris won 7-2.

Girls Volleyball

Both the Junior and Senior sides started on the road, first facing BCI and, a few days later, St. John’s. Both opponents swept the Panthers three games to 0. They return to their court today against Assumption.

Boys Basketball

This year’s Junior side is comprised of young players, most of whom have minimal experience, except on our county’s outdoor courts. They opened their season against BCI, and on the first play, they showed their nervousness by winning the opening game tipoff and running to the wrong basket, a mistake they’ll probably never repeat. BCI won by a large margin, not allowing their first-string players to sit while the boys on the bench got in the action. The BCI coaching staff showed poor sportsmanship by letting the score get out of hand.

The next game for the Juniors was against Assumption, and although they lost, they showed some improvement, a testament to the players and Coach Murchie and Parr.

The senior Panthers, a talented team also lost their first two games. Against BCI, they were having a hard time getting the ball through the hoop and not winning the ball on rebound opportunities at both sides of the court. They dropped their season opener 77-56.

The second game of the week against St. John’s was a different story, taking an early first-quarter 26-13 lead, with Canaan Sherbino leading the way with 14 points. In the second quarter, the Eagles had outscored the Panthers, but Paris held on to a 36-30 lead. 

In the third quarter, Paris caught up, trailing their opponent 44-42. In the final quarter, Sherbino was back on track, leading the team in scoring, but despite that effort, the team lost 61-56.