 The Castle Lake Bina Boys basketball team made it to the state tournament last year for the first time since 2010. In despite losing several key players, the Panthers have picked up right where they left off, putting the entire state on notice. The Panthers are ranked third in the state and sit at a perfect 9-0 on the season. They've been known for their tenacious defense in the past, and this year's team is no different. I think the boys have come from last year and they just picked up from where we left off. That's probably playing defense and I think they've really bought into, if we play tough defense we're going to be tough to beat. Their season ended last year with a 20-point loss to Northwoods in the state semifinals, but they didn't have to wait long for redemption as they opened this year with a convincing 17-point win over the Grizzlies. That was the goal when we seen that game on the schedule for the first day and we wanted it. So we came in there, we executed and did our thing. The Panthers are led offensively by Jarell Jacobs averaging almost 25 points per game, but the team is stacked with shooters and offensive threats that keeps defenses on their toes. It's really good. It takes a lot of pressure out of me and lets me focus on defense more. We've got a lot of shooters this year and we have a lot of people who can run up and down the court and help, and our young guys are stepping up too. The Panthers postseason experience from last year is already paying off in big games this year, as they've handed three teams their only loss of the season. It just prepares us for this season because when we play against big games, when we have big games and stuff, we just ready for it. We just slow ball down, take control of it. Cass Lake-Biena feels they have some unfinished business at the state tournament, but they're focused on the games in front of them before they worry about the big picture. It was a fun kind last year and we're just looking to do it again. Take it one day by day and win our games. Day by day, that's all we're doing. Panthers! And the Panthers' next big test is Walker Hackensack Aiklin just over a week, who was also undefeated on the season.