The Middletown High School Boys Basketball team has been on a roller coaster ride its last two games. The high coming on Feb. 11 when the Knights were able to take down heavily favored Frederick on a Ben Panther buzzer-beater, but the next game the Knights hung with the Titans, on the road, until the final second, when Tuscarora laid one in at the buzzer.
“We were really the underdog against Tuscarora,” said Panther. “The fact that we were so close and had a chance to win was great. We took that as a positive instead of a negative.”
The Knights will take on Smithsburg tonight in a rematch from the Hubs Holiday Classic. The Knights handled the signature 2-3 zone of the Leopards, and cruised to an easy, 81-43, victory.
But the Knights are still weary heading into tonight’s showdown on the road.
“Last time we played them three of their starters were out,” said Panther. “We are expecting a completely different type of game this time.”
Smithsburg doesn’t play the type of competition the Knights do during the regular season, but they do boast a respectable, 11-10, record – good enough for second in MVAL Antietam.
The only common opponents they share with the Knights are Brunswick, Francis Scott Key and Catoctin. The Knights and Leopards both beat those squads with relative ease.
“They play a really good 2-3 zone,” said Panther. “I think they will put up a good fight, but hopefully we will come out on top.”
This is the Knights last game of the season and they appear to be locked into the three seed in their section, slotted behind Oakdale and Williamsport respectively.
The Knights path to the section finals seems to be a breeze, but once they reach the finals they will have to go through Oakdale. The Bears have dominated the Knights this season, and have beaten Middletown by a combined 61 points.
“I think this is one of the most important games of the season,” said Panther. “We don’t want to go into the playoffs on a two game losing streak.”
The Knights are looking to add another win to their resume and finish the season, 13-9. A far cry from last season’s 1-22 finish.
“We need to get this win to gain some confidence heading into the playoffs,” said Panther. “Hopefully we can make a good run once we get [into the playoffs].”
