Panthers retain the CI club crown

Thursday 16th June 2011, 2:29PM BST.

Celtics 53, Prime Property Panthers 72

Jason Hooper was instrumental in Panthers’ win in Jersey. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 1129316)

PANTHERS are the kings of Channel Islands basketball once again after a blistering second-half display put paid to the challenge of Celtics.

Defending the ‘Upton’ they won a year ago, Pat Ogier’s team travelled to Jersey to take on the Caesarean champions and soon stamped their authority on proceedings.

The Sarnians raced into an early 9-2 lead, only to see Celtics form a run of their own with 11 unanswered points.

In what was a scrappy opening period, both teams were guilty of turning the ball over and, as they traded baskets, it always had the making of a close game.