The Delavan Varsity Panthers closed out their pre‑holiday stretch with a commanding 59–46 win over the Princeville Princes on Saturday, December 20, marking their second consecutive victory and showcasing a team hitting its stride at just the right time.

Coming off Friday night’s dominant 58–26 performance against Hartsburg‑Emden—and shaking off Tuesday’s hard‑fought 76–65 loss to Peoria Christian—the Panthers took the floor Saturday with unmistakable purpose. From the opening tip, Delavan brought its “A” game, pushing the pace on offense and locking down defensively in one of their most complete outings of the season. 

Delavan’s defense set the tone early, limiting Princeville’s looks and forcing the Princes to earn every point. Quick rotations, aggressive pressure, and disciplined rebounding kept the Panthers in control throughout the night.

On the offensive end, the Panthers were equally electric.

Hudson Briggs delivered a standout performance, leading the team with 19 points and an impressive 9 assists, orchestrating the offense with confidence and precision. Grady Burrell lit up the perimeter, knocking down four three‑pointers on his way to 16 points and adding 2 assists. James Pagel matched the hot shooting, draining three triples of his own and finishing with 15 points and 4 assists.

The trio’s combined firepower kept Delavan firmly ahead as the Panthers maintained their tempo and composure from start to finish.

With back‑to‑back wins and clear momentum, the Panthers now look ahead to their next matchup. The Panthers will hit the court in the Williamsfield Holiday Tournament beginning Friday, December 26, opening a weekend of competitive play against area teams.

CORRECTION:

A previous article incorrectly stated that “Delavan will suit up again on Saturday, January 3, when they travel to Greenview to open the new year on the road.” The correct information is that the Panthers will play in the Williamsfield Holiday Tournament beginning Friday, December 26.