Paradise Panthers Claim Area Title in Dominating Victory Over Chisum
The Paradise Panthers secured an area championship with a decisive 40-24 victory over the Chisum Mustangs on Friday, February 28, 2026. The win showcased a standout defensive performance from Paradise, holding Chisum to a mere 9 points in the first half.
Defensive Dominance Fuels Championship Run
Paradise (33-2) demonstrated one of their strongest defensive showings of the season, effectively shutting down the Chisum offense. Coach Bo Rickner highlighted the team’s defensive effort, stating it was “up there with some of the best ones” they’ve played all year. The Panthers limited Chisum to just 3 points in the final period, solidifying their control of the game.
Early Offensive Surge Sets the Tone
The Panthers quickly established a lead, jumping out to a 17-5 advantage early in the contest. A significant portion of their early scoring came from three-point shots. Junior Cooper Jones led the first-quarter scoring with 9 points, sinking three 3-pointers. Will McGregor contributed 5 points, also from beyond the arc.
Strategic Ball Movement and Team Chemistry
Coach Rickner emphasized the importance of ball movement and teamwork in overcoming Chisum’s defensive strategy. “It was all about ball movement — sharing the ball and moving well without it to find the open spots,” he explained. “Credit to Cooper and Will for knocking down some big shots early on for us.”
Second-Quarter Control
Paradise continued their strong performance in the second quarter, with McGregor adding another three-pointer. Jones, Cash Gibson, Bryce Chipman, and Max Jordan each added a field goal, extending their lead to 28-9 at halftime. Jones attributed the team’s success to their strong chemistry and enjoyment of the game, stating, “We played through each other…We’ve got a team chemistry that you can’t teach or coach. Honestly, we were just having fun. The shots were falling and it felt good.”
Chisum’s Third-Quarter Rally and Paradise’s Response
Chisum mounted a brief offensive surge in the third quarter, going on a 12-2 run. However, Paradise quickly regained control after a technical foul assessed to Chisum’s Jabray Walker shifted the momentum. The Panthers closed the third quarter with a 5-0 run, leading 35-21.
Closing Strong and Looking Ahead
Cooper Jones opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, and Max Jordan added a layup, increasing Paradise’s lead to 19. This allowed the Panthers to effectively manage the clock and secure the victory. Jones finished as the leading scorer for Paradise with 15 points, followed by McGregor with 8. Coach Rickner specifically praised Creek Gibson’s defensive performance, calling him the “MVP of this game” for effectively neutralizing Chisum’s leading scorer.
Paradise will advance to the 3AII Region II Semifinal, where they will face Hooks at 6:30 p.m. On Monday at Bonham High School. The Panthers defeated the Hornets 47-38 in the same round last year.