Bad weather put a damper on Friday night's scheduled game between rivals Prairie Home and Jamestown.
The next afternoon, however, the teams reunited for another exciting showdown in the Cooper County Activities Association.
The Panthers and Eagles were supposed to follow the girls game Friday night, but Prairie Home school officials postponed the boys contest after freezing rain began to fall outside, making the roads unsafe.
Even though Pilot Grove had already secured the boys conference title, Prairie Home coach Dalton Armontrout and Jamestown coach Brannon Bartlett rescheduled their game for Saturday afternoon. The Panthers were victorious, 50-48.
"We wanted to play Friday night, but it was probably the right decision," Armontrout said. "We were going to play (Saturday), no matter what. We needed a game before districts and they did, too."
After losing a close decision to Jamestown earlier this season, the Panthers turned the tables on Saturday. Prairie Home senior Rayce Kendrick hit two free throws with 28 seconds left to put his team ahead, and the Eagles missed an open 3-point attempt on their ensuing possession that could have won the game.
"I was just hoping it wouldn't go in," Armontrout said. "There was relief when it bounced out."
Kendrick finished with 16 points, while senior Sam Distler had 13 and senior Kody Simmons scored 10. For Jamestown, freshman Garrett Wolfe had 13 points, senior Trevor Barbour added 12 points and junior Wyatt Hunziker scored 11.
Prairie Home finished the regular season 15-8 overall and 3-1 in the conference, taking second place behind Pilot Grove. The Panthers went 8-1 in their final nine regular-season games.
"Everybody is clicking right now," Armontrout said. "It's a great time of the season to be playing well. The kids have improved and are playing really good ball. They are trusting each other."
Prairie Home and Jamestown ended the regular season on a good note.
"It's always going to be a close battle with Jamestown," Armontrout said. "Any win is good, especially before districts, but to beat Jamestown helps. Most of the kids are friends off the court, but you have to put that aside when the game starts."