With a loud and energetic Homecoming crowd providing support, the Prairie Home girls basketball team raced to an early lead and never looked back in Friday night's 63-31 victory over Otterville.
The Lady Panthers wasted no time against their Cooper County Activities Association opponent, taking a 22-6 lead after the first quarter. Otterville tried to rally in the second quarter, but Prairie Home opened a 32-13 edge at halftime.
"We had a lot of people in the crowd, so we wanted to play good for them," said Prairie Home sophomore Rachel Distler. "We felt like we owed it to them, so it's amazing. Homecoming is a big night."
The Lady Panthers continued their solid play in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 44-21. Prairie Home outscored Otterville 19-10 in the fourth quarter to seal the comfortable win.
"Best game of the year," said Lady Panthers head coach Linda Scott. "We are really playing outstanding defense. The past eight games, we have only allowed 36.5 points per game. Our fans are really coming out. Panther spirit is sky high."
Playing for a large Homecoming crowd made some of the girls nervous in the first quarter, but everyone settled down.
"It's an honor to play on Homecoming, especially as a sophomore," Prairie Home forward Shianne Rhorer said. "There are nerves, but we enjoy the competition. Having everyone here to support us really helps."
Rhorer finished with 26 points, while Distler had 21 points and junior Makayla Zey scored 12.
"We knew Otterville had improved, and we wanted to come out strong," Distler said. "Having the whole crowd behind us really pushed us to go 110 percent."
Prairie Home improved to 16-4 overall and 1-0 in the conference. Records in the CCAA only count the second time teams play.
"We're right where we need to be and we're playing great as a team," Rhorer said. "Our shots haven't been on as much as they should be, but we played an entire game and four good quarters."