Panama makes WNY history winning state titles in basketball and football in same year

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Panama has become the first school from Section VI to claim NYSPHSAA championships in boys basketball and football in the same academic year.

The Panthers won the Class D hoops title with their 78-69 victory over Bridgehampton from Section XI on Saturday at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton. It's the first basketball state championship in school history, and follows the combined Clymer/Sherman/Panama football team winning it's third NYSPHSAA title in the fall.

Carter Brink, an all-state wide receiver committed to play for SUNY Brockport, led Panama with 38 points in the championship game after scoring 31 in Friday's 74-53 semifinal win against Sackets Harbor from Section III. Alex Barmore, an all-state tight end committed to Edinboro University, was named tournament MVP after scoring 15 in the title game. Bryce Hinsdale, another all-state wideout and state record-holder for career receptions who will play for Washington and Jefferson College, had 14 points.

This was the second state title for Section VI this season, after the Frewsburg girls won Class C on Friday. The most recent boys basketball team from the section to win a state championship was Randolph (Class C) in 2023. The Randolph girls also were state finalists that year. Panama's girls team reached the state final in 2017.

While no other program from Western New York has won state championships in football and basketball during the same academic year, Maple Grove won the Class D football title in 2008 after the basketball team won Class C the previous spring.

In other NYSPHSAA championship action Saturday, the Lancaster girls lost in the Class AAA semifinals for the second year in a row, 67-33 against Albertus Magnus from Section I. Mississippi State recruit Madison Francis scored 23 points, finishing her career with 2,430, the seventh-best total in WNY history.