BOYS BASKETBALL: Permian easily defeats Brownfield in Panthers' first game of new year

In its first game of 2018, the Permian boys basketball team needed about a dozen minutes Tuesday afternoon to find a rhythm against Brownfield.

After the Panthers gained that cohesion, they never lost it en route to dominating their Class 4A opponent.

Led by Brother Miller’s career-high 33 points, Permian downed the Cubs 85-56 at the Permian Fieldhouse. The victory extends the Panthers’ win streak to eight games.

Permian changed up its starting lineup for its first game of the new year after Justin Hammond dislocated his thumb while the Panthers competed, and won, the Caprock Classic in Lubbock last weekend.

That led to some missteps as the Panthers (17-3) trailed by three after the first quarter before turning up the pace in the second quarter to lead by five heading into halftime.

“I feel like we were kind of sleep walking into the new year,” Permian boys head coach Tim Thomas said after the game with a laugh. “We got our focus in the second half … they responded.”

Throughout the third quarter, the Panthers used team defense and efficiency on offense, a familiar formula that has provided success previous games and was no different against Brownfield.

Permian blew the game open halfway through the third quarter when it went on a 16-0 run with baskets off of fast breaks, alley-oops and consistent ball movement around the perimeter.

Miller scored 14 of his points in the third quarter.

“It’s a great feeling,” Miller said. “I credit my teammates for getting me the ball and I’m so glad I can do what I can for my teammates. Being one of the better scorers, I try to finish plays and make plays for my team.”

In the final eight minutes, the Panthers put the game on cruise control — keeping its lead of more than 20 points throughout the final stretch.

Permian had a pair of other players in double digits — Elijah White finished with 14 points and Derrick Wright had 12.

“We just try and focus on us,” White said. “We learn from this game and just keep building on what we need to do to get better.”

Thomas knows his team is improving and is drawing some attention with an impressive record. The Panthers also know that there’s plenty of room still to grow with more than a month left until the end of the regular season.

“We’re getting better,” Thomas said. “You want to try and build so that you’re peaking at the end of January, early February and so we’re going to continue to build.”