It took a double OT for the panthers to finish off Killeen Shoemaker 61-60 in the first round of Class 6A playoffs setting up a rematch with top ranked Allen Friday night at Carrollton Ranchview at 7 p.m.

“We just played relentlessly both defensively and offensively,” head coach Corey Chism said. “We never gave in to adversity and kept playing all the way to the end.”

Shoemaker banked in what at first was a questionable three point shot at the final buzzer to force the first overtime. The lead switched many times during the game as the Panthers clawed their way to a chance to finish off  Shoemaker in the final seconds. Steven Quinn hit a game-winning pull-up jumper with about eight seconds left in the second overtime to give the Panthers the edge.

“Honestly this type of game is to be expected in the playoffs,” Chism said. “We train our players on a daily basis for moments and games like this.”

The Panthers trailed at the half 22-15 against a tough Shoemaker but going into the locker room Chism said he wanted his players to know the game wasn’t over until the very end.

“I told them even though we had a poor showing in the first half offensively we were still in this game,” Chism said. “I also told them that as the game gets longer we get stronger.”

The Panthers are no stranger to overtime victories or losses as they have played district games against both South Grand Prairie and DeSoto into multiple overtimes this season. Chism said there is no doubt this has helped his team.

“We learned what it takes to pull of games under this type of circumstances,” Chism said. “For some reason our team has always risen to the occasion when our backs are against the wall.”

The Panthers now have the task of defeating a top ranked Allen for the second time in a season. The teams met earlier in the season where Duncanville pulled off a narrow two point victory. That game was in early November and Chism said both teams have changed however there are some advantages to matching up with them earlier in the season.

“Playing them earlier did allow us to get a sneak peak into who can do what on their team,” Chism said.

When the teams meet Friday they will both be looking for a trip to the Regional Quarterfinals. This is something that Chism said will take some work on his team’s part.

“We have to limit their transition offense,” Chism said. “We also have to make more quality shots on the offensive end on our part as well.”

All in all chism said there is one real key to moving forward in the playoffs.

“We have to work hard the whole game,” Chism said. “We have to show mental and physical toughness if we want to win.”