CORBIN — After a one-year absence, the 51st District championship is back in the hands of the Knox Central Panthers.
After winning only four games last season, first-year coach Mitchell Madden has guided his team to 21 wins while turning the Panthers into not only 51st District champions but a contender as well.
Knox Central and Pineville battled throughout their matchup Friday before the Panthers did just enough to pull off a 78-77 win.
The Mountain Lions had a chance to win the game in the end but Sawyer Thompson’s shot attempt rimmed out.
Grayson Burton and Brayden Mills led Knox Central with 18 points apiece. Gavin Chadwell added 17 points and Austin Bargo finished with 10 points.
Ashton Moser led Pineville with 28 points while Thompson added 22 points. Logunn Littles finished with 12 points.
