The Wenatchee Panthers boys basketball team will be moving on after the first round of District playoffs on Tuesday night, after beating the Eisenhower Cadets 70-54.

“We didn’t play as well as we could have, but we got the win and that’s all that matters,” junior wing Gavin Long said.

It was a do or die situation, and the Panthers discussed this all week preparing for the game, WHS coach Travis Williams said.

“It’s a one game season from here on out. We set the tone early and got off to a good start. We had some lapses, but our bench guys did a good job of picking it back up and we ultimately got the job done,” Williams said.

The Panthers (14-7) will advance to the semifinal game against the Chiefs at Moses Lake at 7 p.m. Friday. If they win they will be on their way to the Big 9 District Championship game — either at Davis or at home.  Win or lose in the District title game, they punch their ticket to State.

“We’ve been watching a lot of film to prepare for this [semifinal] game, and trying to change small things up to do better against Moses Lake the next game. It will come down to us getting off to a good start. That’s the key, and the last two games against them we haven’t. We also have to find a way to make more plays,” Williams said.

The Panthers boys basketball team also defeated the Sunnyside Grizzlies 91-60 at Sunnyside on Friday night, in their last game of the regular season.

“We came out hot early in the game and never looked back. It was a good game to get momentum going into the postseason,” junior shooting guard Grady Miller said.

The Panthers came out with no letdown because the Grizzlies had only won one game all year, according to Williams.

“We came out with great energy, got off with an early lead, and held that lead throughout the game. It was a good game to finish the regular season,” Williams said.