Sometimes looks can be deceiving.

A tough loss last week and an injured starter may look like things are not going well for the Pickerington North boys basketball team.

But Panthers coach Pete Liptrap believes the Panthers are far from down and out.

"In the last few years, we have won six or eight games throughout the season," said Liptrap. "This year, we've won seven so far.
"We've put ourselves in a position to be better."

The Panthers currently hold a 7-3 overall record, along with a 4-2 showing in Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division play. That puts the team in second place in the conference.

However, it is easy to forget that after a recent loss to OCC foe Newark. North was defeated by the host Wildcats 55-30. Newark, after leading just 15-11 in the first half, finished off the Panthers by outscoring them 40-19 in the last two periods. PHSN, getting six points each from Trent Waybright, Devin Lomax and Michael Klamo, had no scorer in double figures.

North was coming off a 60-33 conference win over Lancaster Jan. 5, during which junior guard Jake McCullough led all shooters with 17 points.

"We just didn't play well on the road," Liptrap said. "They had their way with us in every facet.

"I give credit to Newark. We were clearly beaten."

The coach hopes the loss won't affect future play. The Panthers were supposed to start turning things around against host Columbus South Saturday, Jan. 9. However, that game was postponed and has been tentatively rescheduled for Feb. 6.