Albany, NY - The basketball teams returned from Thanksgiving break to play one women's game and two men's games before the semester comes to an end. 

On Wednesday December 3rd, the women's team traveled north to take on the SUNY ADK Timberwolves.  After two consecutive losses, the Panthers were more than ready to end their losing streak.  Ball movement and defense led to a blowout victory 84-8 in their final game before winter break.  Four different Panthers scored in double figures - led by Samantha Howland (Whitehall, NY) who had 18 points on 9/10 shooting - while all nine players scored in the game. Akosua Adu-Gyamfi (Holden, MA) dished out 10 assists while Emma Russell (Brushton, NY) had 8 of her own in addition to 7 steals.  The Panthers will end the semester with a 7-3 record including a 3-3 conference record. 

A few days later on Saturday the 6th, the men hosted Landmark College. Just like the women, the men's team had lost their two previous games and came out firing, ready to end their losing streak. Sophomore K'den Spears (Dover, DE) had a monster game, setting career highs with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Four other Panthers scored in double figures, led by freshman Eric Pickering who also dropped a career high with 16 points and 7 boards. The team dished out 24 assists on 37 buckets en route to a 83-57 victory. 

Trying to ride their momentum, the men's team took on the SUNY ESF Mighty Oaks on Sunday afternoon. The game started pretty close but then the Oaks got momentum going and built a seven point lead for themselves at the break. Then in the second half, they outscored the Panthers by ten to win the game 72-55. Some bright spots for the Panthers were Nathan Lynes (Miami, FL) who scored 13 and hit three threes, and Alex Carrillo (Akron, OH) who finished with 12 points and 7 boards. The team collectively had 13 steals, but it wasn't enough to outweigh their turnovers and fouls. 

The men's team finished the semester 5-8 with a 2-5 conference record as they go into winter break.  The next game for both teams isn't until January 8th, when the women will travel to North Country Community College and the men go to Touro College. 

How to follow the Panthers: For the latest information on ACPHS athletics, visit acphspanthers.com or check out the ACPHS athletics social media platforms on Instagram @ACPHSPanthers or X @ACPHSAthletics. 

Written by Angelo Oddo.