A big second quarter launched the Panthers to a 68-49 victory over Sweetwater Tuesday night in Lenoir City.

The Wildcats hung with the Panthers through the first quarter as they tallied 12 points in the opening period.  The Panthers answered with 14, however, and Tyler Hood scored nine of them.
The Panthers opened it up in the second, though.  Hood scored eight and Jordan Hall tallied five in the period as the Panthers outscored Sweetwater 24-9 in the quarter.
The dominant second quarter led to a 38-21 Lenoir City lead at the break.

Hood and Jared Hilton led the Panther scoring effort in the third as the hosts tallied 17 points.  Sweetwater hung with them in the period, however, as the Wildcats scored 15 points to keep within 19 of the Panthers.
Lenoir City enjoyed a 55-36 lead after three.

The fourth was more of the same as the Panthers and Wildcats tied the quarter with 13 points apiece.
Tucker Parkerson and Bill Ault led the Panthers with nine combined points in the quarter, as Lenoir City sealed the win.

The strong second quarter sealed the win for the Panthers as they outscored Sweetwater just 44-40 outside of it.
Hood led the Panthers in scoring with 23 points.

The Panthers will now prepare to visit District 4(3A) rival Bearden Friday night.
Game time is set for 8 p.m.

Information for this story provided by Bryan Lynn