(Banner File Photo by Doc Smith) Above, senior Ryan Wood goes up for a basket in the recent season opener against topranked Sabine. The Panthers dropped the first two games of the season but as the football players continue to add to the squad so do the woes for the Bullard opposition as the T.K. Gorman win was a showcase of high-intensity, fast-break basketball under the direction of first year head coach, Robert Sampson. The Panthers play in the Van Tournament this weekend, playing Oak Cliff-Life in the first round on Thursday morning, at 8:15 ap.m. at the Van High School gym. BULLARD – The Bullard Panthers got a few more new faces back after football, and the Robert Sampson reign at Bullard picked up their first win in fast-break fashion with a 76-48, win over T.K. Gorman at Panther gymnasium last week.

The Panthers started the season against top-ranked teams, Sabine and Mount Pleasant to start off the season, five players short due to football.

One-by-one, as they return, the Panthers wheels begin to turn.

All-District post, Brandon Beavers is scheduled to return to the line-up in the next few weeks.

Senior, Josiah Rosebury also appears to back at full strength after an ankle injury, scoring a game-high, 20 points to lead to the win.

Football stalwart, Daniel Howard was in double-digits his first game back, scoring 13 points and sinking two, 3-pointers.

Point guard, Lance Anding had nine assists to go with his nine points in the game for the Panthers.

“It’s nice to be getting the numbers up and everybody healthy,” said BHS head coach, Sampson. “Now we are able to put the full-court pressure on, and keep the intensity level uptempo with the numbers to back-up the starting group.

“I was really pleased with the first five we put on the floor,” Sampson continued. “They set the tone and made it tough on the Gorman backcourt, and we did a good job on their big man inside, keeping him in check.”

Ten Panthers got in the scoring book, for the win.

Ari Umana and Stephen Ray scored 16 points apiece inside to pace the Crusaders.

Bullard played at Pine Tree on Tuesday night and will play this weekend in the Van Tournament.

First game in Van will be against Oak Cliff-Life on Thursday, at 8:15 a.m. at the Van High School Gymnasium.

Boys Non-District Basketball

T.K. GORMAN - Ari Umana, 16; Taylor Turman, 2; Alex Fergerson, 6; Jack Ryder, 2; Kyle Buzbee, 2; Eric Carter, 2; Hunter Matzke, 1; Stephen Ray, 16; Michael Droder, 1

BULLARD - Daniel Howard, 13; Lance Anding, 9; Koby Greene, 6; Josiah Rosebury, 20; Taft Rose, 4; Ryan Wood, 6; Sydney Lawson, 4; Marquez Franklin, 4; R.H. Horton, 4; Scott Starwalt, 6.

THREE POINT GOALS - TKG: none. B: Howard (2), Anding, Rosebury (2). RECORDS - Bullard 1-2. NEXT UP - Bullard played at Pine Tree, Tues. Bullard at Van Tournament, Thur.-Sat.