Panthers honor state champs
THE LEADER STAFF

Eric Wensel/The Leader The Campbell-Savona boys basketball team unveils their state championship banner prior to Friday’s game.

CAMPBELL — Merlin Button was likely one of many who relished the trip down recent memory lane Friday, Dec. 1.

Prior to Campbell- Savona’s 51-37 victory over Bath Haverling, the Panthers’ most memorable 2005-2006 season was commemorated as the program’s first-ever state championship banner was unveiled.

“It takes forever for that to sink in and every time you talk about it, it just gets better,” Button said. “It was pretty special.”

The Panthers celebrated each of their three titles – sectional, regional and state – with commemorative banners. But it was the ceremony honoring the state championship that brought each member of the 2005- 2006 title team back home.

“We unveiled our Section V banner, a Far West Regional banner and a New York state banner and we had all the team from last year in our state jackets all together, so it was really a nice time,” Button said.

Against Bath, the Panthers got a game-high 18 points from Sean Mourhess to improve to 4-0 on the season. Mourhess canned three 3-pointers, grabbed five board and had two steals.

Will Cornett had a huge night as well, going for 10 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and five steals. Zach Simpson chipped in with eight points.

“We played pretty good defense,” Button said. “We did not have a good shooting night, but it’s early in the season and I’m not concerned with that.”

Andy Ratchford led Bath (1-1) with 15 points, while teammate Michael Rossi added 11 points.