PANHANDLE HIGH SCHOOL – Panhandle is one of those programs that snuck up on us this year, a district champion from a year ago, but they have not won a playoff game since 2017. They won a district championship last season and have a lot coming back, starting three juniors and playing several more from that class this year..  Follow along as #STBA tracks their season.

12/2/2025 - vs Perryton

Panhandle opened their season with a solid 53-41 win over Perryton. The Panthers relied on disciplined defense and steady offense to control the game. It was a strong start to the year and set the tone for the early part of their schedule.

12/4/2025 - vs Olton (Tournament)

Panhandle ran into a tough Olton squad and fell 63-53 in tournament play. The Panthers battled throughout but struggled to slow down Olton’s offense in key stretches.

12/5/2025 - vs Texline (Tournament)

Texline handed Panhandle another close loss, winning 55-50. The Panthers stayed within striking distance all game but couldn’t quite get over the hump late.  This is one of those losses where you feel sick that you couldn't pull off the upset, but you eventually you find the silver lining that you almost beat a top team in the state.

12/6/2025 - vs Tulia (Tournament)

Panhandle wrapped up the tournament with a 67-54 win over Tulia. Their offense found a better rhythm, and they were able to control the pace of the game.

12/9/2025 - @ Borger

The Panthers delivered a dominant performance on the road, defeating Borger 73-23. Their defense overwhelmed Borger from the opening tip and led to plenty of easy scoring opportunities.

12/11/2025 - @ Canadian (Tournament)

In a tightly contested tournament matchup, Panhandle came up just short against Canadian, falling 50-48. It was a hard-fought game that came down to the final possessions.

12/12/2025 - vs Borger (Tournament)

Panhandle left no doubt in the rematch with Borger, cruising to a 76-14 victory. Their defensive pressure completely shut down Borger’s offense.

12/12/2025 - vs Texline (Tournament)

Later that day, Texline got the better of Panhandle again with a 60-36 win. Playing multiple games in a short stretch can be challenging, and Texline controlled this one.

12/16/2025 - vs Stratford

Panhandle returned to regular play with a strong 67-45 win over Stratford. Their balanced scoring and defensive discipline helped them pull away comfortably.

12/23/2025 - @ Wheeler (District)

District play began with a solid road victory as Panhandle defeated Wheeler 62-39. Their defense set the tone early and allowed them to control the game.

12/29/2025 - vs Seymour (Tournament)

Panhandle picked up a quality 59-51 win over Seymour in tournament play. The Panthers executed well in the half-court and made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win.  Seymour is a team that last year won over 30 games and went several rounds in the playoffs, eventually losing in the fourth round to the enventual state champions by two points.  This is a win that the Panthers should feel proud of.

12/29/2025 - @ Hale Center (Tournament)

Later that day, Hale Center proved to be a tough matchup, defeating Panhandle 64-49. The Panthers struggled to find consistent offense in this one.

12/30/2025 - vs Abernathy (Tournament)

Panhandle showed resilience in a thrilling overtime victory over Abernathy, winning 61-53. The Panthers stayed composed late and made the key plays in overtime to secure the win.  Yet another win that turned heads in the #STBA community.  

12/31/2025 - vs Whitharral (Tournament)

Whitharral closed out the tournament with a 59-49 win over Panhandle. The Panthers competed well but couldn’t overcome key scoring runs.  Whitharral is another tough opponnent for the Panthers of Panhandle high school.  We are impressed by their scheduling playing several top teams in the state in small school basketball.  

1/6/2026 - vs Quanah (District)

Panhandle exploded offensively in an 88-49 win over Quanah to begin district play. Their offense was firing on all cylinders and proved difficult to slow down.

1/9/2026 - @ Wellington (District)

On the road at Wellington, Panhandle secured a strong 60-48 victory. Their ability to control the tempo and execute defensively helped them maintain the lead.

1/13/2026 - vs Highland Park (District)

Panhandle dominated from start to finish in a 70-22 win over Highland Park. Their defensive pressure completely shut down Highland Park’s offense.

1/16/2026 - @ Memphis (District)

The Panthers picked up another district win with a 75-61 victory over Memphis. Their offense remained consistent while their defense made key stops when needed.

1/20/2026 - @ Clarendon (District)

Panhandle continued their strong district play with a 64-30 win over Clarendon. Their defense once again led the way.

1/27/2026 - vs Wheeler (District)

The Panthers completed the district sweep of Wheeler with a 70-48 victory. Their balanced scoring and disciplined play helped them control the matchup.

1/30/2026 - @ Quanah (District)

Panhandle stayed hot with a convincing 71-46 road win over Quanah. Their offense remained efficient while the defense limited Quanah’s opportunities.

2/3/2026 - vs Wellington (District)

In a defensive battle, Panhandle defeated Wellington 47-39. Their ability to grind out a lower-scoring win showed their versatility.

2/10/2026 - vs Memphis (District)

Panhandle earned a hard-fought 46-40 victory over Memphis. Defense and composure down the stretch proved to be the difference.

2/13/2026 - vs Clarendon (District)

The Panthers closed out district play with a dominant 73-22 win over Clarendon. Their defense once again suffocated their opponent from start to finish.

2/20/2026 - vs Valley

Panhandle carried their momentum into the postseason stretch with a 65-52 win over Valley. The Panthers looked sharp heading into playoff play.

2/24/2026 - @ Spearman (Playoff Game)

Panhandle opened the playoffs with a convincing 59-36 win over Spearman. Their defensive effort set the tone and allowed them to control the game.

2/26/2026 - vs Hale Center (Playoff Game)

Hale Center provided a much tougher challenge, but Panhandle held on for a 75-70 victory. It was a competitive game that tested the Panthers’ composure in the postseason.  Early on Panhandle showed a lot of composure under Hale Center's defensive pressure.  You could tell pretty quick it was going to be a high scoring ball game as each team traded bucket after bucket.  It seemed like every time someone hit a three, the very next possession the other team would match it.  One thing that the Panthers struggled with was keeping Hale Center off the boards early on.  Almost every possession that ended up in a score for Hale was off of a second chance opportunity.  Late in the third quarter the Owls of Hale Center really turned the heat up on defense and impressively the Panthers held strong and prevented themselves from being sped-up into quick bad shots or turnovers.    

3/2/2026 - vs Seagraves (Playoff Game)

Panhandle continued their playoff run with a strong 63-41 win over Seagraves. Their defense limited Seagraves’ scoring opportunities throughout the game.

3/6/2026 - vs Wellington (Playoff Game)

A familiar district opponent awaited in Wellington, but Panhandle once again handled business with a 52-39 victory. Their defense and disciplined execution helped them advance as they continued their postseason push.  In early defensive possessions Panhandle was beating the skyrockets to a spot consistantly and causing turnovers.  Several transition layups were created from these opportunities. We were very impressed with how hard #40 Jacob Herzberg was playing for Panhandle.  An important sequence tonight was when freshmen Austin Purcell scored a bucket off a drop off pass, and then Luke Schmucker took an off ball charge soon leading to an and one bucket from Caden Armes.  He later stretched the lead to double digits with some free throws in the fourth quarter.  Wellington was forced to take low quality shots towards the end of the game out of desperation that created a bigger lead for Panhandle than the actual game indicated.  Panhandle moves on to state!

3/10/2026 - vs. Waco Meyer, W 59-33 (Playoff Game)

Well the Panhandle Panthers, a team that was not on many people's radars prior to the start of the season... a team that was not in the TABC top 25, is playing the defending state champion with a chance to punch their ticket to the state championship game tonight. A true Cinderella story.  At the end of the first quarter Panhandle showed that they came to compete - score 15-9 Panthers on top.  The Ravens cut it close a couple of separate times in the second quarter, but it was only a matter of time before Panhandle made their run, ending the half on a 12-1 run.  Waco Meyer has struggled to score all night against the Panthers, at the end of three quarters Panhandle is up by 21 points, 49-28.  Tonight Panhandle has done what they have been doing all year... Turning heads.  San Augustine might have their hands full on Thurday when they match up to play the Panthers in the Alamodome!