Friday was a night of reckoning in the Den. After the conclusion of the JV contest against Andrew Jackson, time was set aside to recognize and spotlight a special member of the Nease Family and Panther Nation. Brian Bourke (Double B), Nease parking attendant and security staff member, sadly passed away in November. Gone far too soon, Double B was well known for his friendly, but genuine disposition.
Prior to moving to Ponte Vedra, Brian retired after a very successful and decorated career with the NYPD. Commemorative tee shirts were sold and worn as a tribute to Double B, with proceeds donated to the Bourke family. Double B surviving family (Wife Lori and children Connor, Dylan and Katelyn) were present for the unveiling of a special banner to permanently be displayed in the gymnasium to honor Double B.
Yes, the Den is indeed a special place where special memories are made and the Panther Nation thrives. So, on Double B Night, the Lady Panthers got a bolt of energy from a highly-charged and supportive student body. Not withstanding the calm before the storm, an enthusiastic and boisterous crowd represented both teams. Both sides waited with great anticipation for the upcoming showdown. At the expense of not being presumptuous, the game hype was destined to be an entertaining affair from start to finish. The insinuation that a significant ‘Cat Fight’ would take place, was definitely not out of the realm of thoughts. Nease Lady Panthers were set to do battle with Andrew Jackson Lady Tigers (Gateway Conference Champion).
Friday would culminate with an epic battle for all to witness. After easily defeating two league opponents First Coast and Fletcher on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, the Lady Panthers would try for the trifecta against Duval County Schools on Friday. The encounter between Jackson and Nease would surely not be an easy affair, as both teams have resumes that are worthy of note. The Lady Panthers (18-3) and 8th ranked in 6A, have benefitted largely from a heavy dose of home games of late (5 in a row), and presently are 10-0 in the den. Jackson (13-7) reigned supreme in Duval Co. (Gateway Conference) and boasted a physical and athletic squad with a high ceiling.
The indelible clash of Titans, would end up in the memoirs as a true CLASSIC. Nease delivered the first blow, as Syd Gomes provided an offensive rebound assist for a Fifield layup. Jackson quickly called a timeout and answered the call with several baskets. At the 4:30 mark in the period, Jackson led 6-4. A trey and driving layup by Allie was sandwiched between a basket from the visitors to put Nease ahead (9-8). Syd connected from behind the arc and with 1:50 left to play in the quarter, giving the Lady Panthers the 4 point advantage (12-8). However, as in the case of most cat fights, the energy level rarely dies. Jackson would even the score at 12-12, the first of seven times the game would be knotted on the night. Syd converted 1 of 2 free throws to close out the exhilarating period and Nease winning the first round battle (13-12). Fifield scored 7 of the Lady Panthers first 9 points to set the pace.
Syd opened the second quarter with 2 quick baskets and Jackson countered with a basket and a big shot from deep to even the score (17-17) with 5:30 on the clock. The back and forth affair would continue, eventually resulting in another tie (20-20) at 3:05 and (22-22), with 1:48 left before half time. Jackson finished the period on a 5-0 run to win round two (15-9) and the edge at intermission (27-22).
The visitors extended the lead to seven (31-24) as the first minute of the third period elapsed. After being held scoreless in the first half, Nease second leading scorer (15 ppg.), Cami Robinson was whistled for her third foul with 5:30 remaining in the quarter. Calling all Panthers to the floor, a rally cry to the bench and an assist form the crowd, the Lady Panthers regrouped. Sav Gomes connected on a trey and Syd followed a basket from Jackson with a driving layup to cut the deficit to four (33-29). A dime to Fifield from Syd for a layup, forced a timeout (3:30) from the Lady Tigers with the scoreboard highlighting a 2 point advantage (33-31) for Jackson. The duo of Fifield and Syd Gomes would carry the continuous surge by Nease. After another driving layup by Syd, both teams were again on even terms (33-33) with 3:00 remaining in the period.
A basket and one by Jackson was countered by a long-range shot from Fifield to even things again (36-36). Another trey by Allie off an asset from Syd, put Nease ahead by one (39-38). The visitors responded with a basket to regain the lead (40-39) with under a minute left in a pivotal third quarter. After another drive to the basket, Syd Gomes was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws to even matters again (40-40) for the last time in the contest. An offensive rebound and assisted layup to Allie from Syd closed out the quarter with the Lady Panthers taking top honors in the third quarter battle (20-13) to hold a 2 point edge (42-40).
The cat fight would continue during the final eight minutes, behind an electric atmosphere emanating from those in attendance and the spirit of Double B (Divine Intervention?). With the officiating becoming more suspect in the final period, the Lady Panthers had to keep their composure and focus on the task at hand. Allie opened the period with 2 made free throws and Ryan assisted on a trey from Cami for Nease biggest lead of the night (47-40). The bench and home crowd roared with approval. The big cat battle ensued and the visitors countered with a 5-0 run to cut the deficit (47-45) with 4:28 left to settle the epic battle, or in some circles, the war of attrition.
A welcomed banked trey from Cami pushed the margin to five (50-45). Who knew the basket by Cami would be Nease final points of the contest. As the Lady Panthers tried to melt the clock, Jackson continued to put on extensive pressure. Syd forced a player control foul with a key charge call, but Cami was called for her fifth foul at 1:22, while Nease still nursed the 50-45 advantage. The Lady Tigers would convert 1 of 2 free throws and a layup off a steal to pull within two again (50-48). Amidst some highly questionable calls from the officials down the stretch, Nease had to find a way to overcome adversity in the waning seconds. To add to the excitement, a hostile and belligerent fan had to be escorted form the facility.
When play resumed, Syd was fouled while securing a rebound off a Jackson miss. With the bonus in effect, she was unable to ice the game at the charity stripe. The Lady Tigers final attempt to tie the game out of a timeout, was unsuccessful and Nease secured the final possession as time expired. Both teams battled to an 8-8 final period, but the Lady Panthers would hold on to win the war (50-48) to remain undefeated in the Den (11-0). By virtue of the SIGNATURE WIN, Nease (19-3) completed the trifecta against D-U-V-A-L county schools.
The hard-fought Dub could be attributed to many factors. Nease strength of schedule, prepared them for tough battles against foes like Jackson. A supportive crowd and teammates rallying behind one another. A Hall of Fame head coach and assistant coaches who believe and trust in the process. And last but not least, a WILL behind the mantra, ‘EARNED, NOT GIVEN’. The final week of the regular season sits on the horizon. Nease will welcome Ridgeview to the Den on Tuesday, before capping the regular season on SENIOR NIGHT), Friday against Creekside.
Accolades to the following Lady Panthers who excelled in the ‘Cat Fight’. The ‘Alley Cat’ put together tww big offensive quarters, scoring 7 and 10 points in the first and pivotal third quarters respectively. Allie finished her impressive night with 20 points on 7/13 shooting to include 3 from behind the arc and 3 rebs.. Fifield represented one half of the dynamic duo that scored thirty-seven (37) of the team total output. The ‘Matrix’ did her usual thing, slicing and dicing for 17 points, 7 rebounds,6 assists and 4 steals.
Although Cami was off her game somewhat, partly attributed to foul trouble, the junior guard still managed to keep her head and knocked down two big treys, to go along with 5 big rebound possessions. Kendyl Ryan was a key passer against the press and produced 2 dimes and gathered 3 boards. Ella Harrison’s knack for being around the ball, produced key possessions from the 4 defensive rebounds she registered. And last but not least, the support from the bench who contributed much during practice preparation , despite not receiving a call to action during the actual game. Always ready when and if called upon. for sure. Thanks to one and all. We definitely could not and would not have done IT without YOU. All for ONE, ONE for ALL. KEEP TRENDING! The finishing touch on a long, special, and beneficial night that extended into the wee hours of the morning and next day. Doing WORK!
Coach Bernie Blue