BOYS BASKETBALL: Permian races past Odessa High, moves closer to 2-6A title

The Permian Panthers started quickly Friday and never let go of the momentum in defeating Odessa High 58-46 at the OHS Fieldhouse in a matchup of the top two teams in the District 2-6A boys basketball race.

The Panthers went 5-of-7 from 3-point range in the first quarter in building a 22-13 lead and never let Odessa High closer than six the rest of the way.

“It’s tough to win on the road,” Permian coach Tim Thomas said. “I think Odessa High was undefeated at home this year. They play really well here. They play really well everywhere and they’re having a great season, so it’s a tough team.

“I told the guys we’ve got to roll our sleeves up, put our hardhats on. We had to come in like we were 10 points down at the start and play 10 points better. They accomplished that. The game had different feels and vibes and ups and downs, but in the end we made enough plays to win the game.”

Brother Miller scored a game-high 27 points as Permian (25-3 overall, 7-0 district) won its 17th in a row and moved two games ahead of the field with three games remaining. Elijah White and Ozzy Terrazas both scored eight points for the Panthers, while Derrick Wright added seven.

Isaac Hernandez scored 20 points to lead Odessa High (21-7, 5-2) with Memo Anaya adding 14.

“We played aggressive, we played hard, but we just made too many turnovers,” Hernandez said. “That’s it. We need to control our turnovers to control the tempo. We were there with them, but it was just the turnovers that killed us.”

Hernandez scored the game’s first basket, but Permian scored the next eight points and never trailed again. Miller scored 12 points in the first period, hitting three 3-pointers.

“We tried to get out, get started early,” Miller said. “It’s kind of hard coming in against a good team, especially on the road, trying to get a win. Coach told us we had to be 10 points better on the road, so we just tried to come in and execute the game plan.”

Odessa High coach Jance Morris said Permian’s early salvo was too much for the Bronchos to overcome.

“They just came out so hot in the first quarter,” Morris said. “They scored 22 in the first quarter and that was really the difference in the game. I don’t know that Brother missed a shot in the first quarter.

“I don’t think we were locked in 100 percent defensively from the tip. If we’re not, that’s going to cost us.”

Permian took a 21-10 lead late in the first quarter and kept the margin between eight and 12 points most of the rest of the game. Hernandez, who was 8-of-9 at the line, made a pair of free throws to get the Bronchos within 30-24 with 1:35 left in the half, but the Panthers pushed the lead back to 10. Permian’s biggest lead was 44-30 with 3:22 left in the third quarter before Odessa High cut it to eight entering the fourth.