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The McKinleyville Panthers traveled to Shasta for their first road game of the new boys basketball season and overcame a slow start on their way to their fifth victory in five games.

Just a few days after they defeated rival Arcata in the championship of their own tournament, the McKinleyville boys won a close one, 44-43.

“The first road game of the year proved challenging for our group today,” head coach Chris Davis said after the win. “We came out sloppy and with some heavy legs it felt like.”

The McKinleyville players, however, would grow into the game, with influential junior Bode Douglass helping to get his team going.

“We did a good job grinding the game out, and Bode made a few tough shots when we needed them,” Davis added. “I thought our defense guarding their dribble drive offense held firm, which was the best we’ve done all year, especially not over helping when we don’t need to.”

Nick Maher added 11 points in the win, while Cole Armstrong chipped in nine points, just a few days after he was named co-MVP of the Mack tournament along with Douglass.

And they weren’t the only players to turn in strong performances.

After a standout fall on the soccer field, sophomore Gaelen Creighton is having an immediate impact on the basketball court for the Panthers.

“Gaelen Creighton had some big momentum charges that he took and really stepped in at crucial times,” said Davis, who added of Armstrong, “(he) really shared the ball well tonight and is really evolving as a passer as well, making him very dangerous around the hoop.”

The victory keeps the team’s impressive unbeaten start to the new season going.

“In the end the ball bounced our way and we were fortunate enough to leave with a win,” Davis said. 

The Panthers will now turn their attention to this week’s Arcata tournament, which gets under way on Thursday.

McKinleyville opens against Montgomery at 4:30 p.m.