VARNA – The Putnam County Lady Panthers captured their first regional championship since 1984, defeating the Midland Timberwolves on their homecourt Thursday 40-32.

Coach James Barnett said it was a very good team win with the Lady Panthers battling foul trouble and facing a Midland team for the third time this year.

“These types of games are never easy; you got to come out hard especially when you see a team like Midland for the third time this year. The girls battled through some poor shooting and some foul trouble, but we rebounded well; we played defense pretty well; and at the end of the night, we were on top,” he said.