Thursday's game against number one Brownfield will be the first time that Aransas Pass has been an underdog since they played local 5A and 6A teams in non-district play. This confident pack of Panthers won't be scaredy cats when it comes down to playing the best team that class 3A has to offer.
"I wouldn't say we're an underdog because we haven't ever played them and they've never played us. It's anybody's game," says senior center Matt McElroy.
Coach Glen Hayes says his team has faced tough teams to get ready for their playoff run. "We try to play in the playoffs like we play in the pre-district against 5 and 6A competition. That's why we played those guys and why we took some losses to try and get to that level," says Hayes.
AP's senior MVP Colin Hale agrees. "I think that's why we go so far every year is because we play the schedule that we play. We know that we may take our lumps early from it but in the long run like right now it's going to pay off."
"Some people don't realize how stiff the competition is when you get this far in the playoffs. It's like playing a good 5 and 6A team," says Hayes.
The Panthers say that the hardest part about playing Brownfield will be the athleticism that the Cubs bring. Look for AP to slow the tempo down a little bit and try and find the highest quality shot available.
3Sports will have full coverage from San Antonio Thursday when the Panthers tip off against Brownfield at 3 PM.
